Faculty of Science and Technology

Dr. Browne’s love for biology began at an early age. Growing up in St. Kitts and Nevis, he never outgrew the joy of exploring his backyard, observing the rich variety of plants and animals around him. This curiosity blossomed into a passion for scientific exploration, and he soon chose to pursue biology as a career. Dr. Browne completed his BSc. degree with a Double Major in Biology at The UWI Cave Hill Campus in 2003, before embarking on his PhD. that same year, focusing on the population genetics of the hawksbill sea turtle. His work with this endangered species not only contributed to scientific understanding but also played a crucial role in the conservation efforts of the Barbados Sea Turtle Project.

Dr. Browne’s commitment to conservation extended beyond research. As Field Director of the Barbados Sea Turtle Project from 2009 to 2019, he worked tirelessly to protect local sea turtle populations and mentored researchers from across the region. His expertise in both molecular biology and database creation helped him bridge the gap between fieldwork and technological innovation, ensuring his research was not only impactful but also accessible to others in the scientific community.

Dr. Browne’s research interests have evolved over the years, from studying the biology of endemic and invasive species to exploring the complex relationships between parasites and their hosts. His collaboration with the McGill Institute for Advanced Materials and the Department of Chemistry at McGill University has led to exciting developments in the field of bioinspired materials. In particular, collaborative research into the slime produced by the endemic Barbados velvet worm has revealed its potential for use in advanced materials, demonstrating the exciting intersection of biology, chemistry and technology.

Browne, D.C. (2024) Form and function of the animal cell. In: “Pharmacognosy: Fundamentals, Applications and Strategies 2nd Edition”. Elsevier.

Poulhazan, A., Baer, A., Daliaho, G., Mentink-Vigier, F., Arnold, A.A., Browne, D.C., Hering, L., Archer-Hartmann, S., Pepi, L.E., Azadi, P., Schmidt, S. (2023) Peculiar phosphonate modifications of velvet worm slime revealed by advanced nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 145(38): 20749-20754.

Vallès, H., Labaude, S., Bezault, E., Browne, D., Deacon, A., Guppy, R., Pujadas-Clavel, A., Cézilly, F. (2021) Low contribution of Caribbean-based researchers to academic publications on biodiversity conservation in the insular Caribbean (Period 2000-2015). Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation 19 (4): 443-453

Santos, A. J. B., Bellini, C., Bortolon, L. F. W., Outerbridge, B., Browne, D. C., Santos, A., Meylan, A., Meylan, P., Silva, B. M. G., Wanderlinde, J., Lima, E. H. S., Baptistotte, C. and Marcovaldi, M. A. (2019) “Long-Range Movements and Growth Rates of Brazilian Hawksbill Turtles: Insights from a Flipper-Tagging Program”. Chelonian Conservation and Biology. Vol. 18, no. 1. 2019. 75-81.

Stewart, K.M., Norton, T., Mohammed, H., Browne, D.C., Clements, K., Thomas, K., Yaw, T., Horrocks, J.A. (2016) Effects of “swim with the turtles” tourist attractions on green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) health in Barbados, West Indies. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 52(2s): S104-S117