Brown University has expanded the leadership portfolio of Dr. Mukesh K. Jain, appointing him senior associate provost for life sciences, a strategic role that positions him to guide research, teaching, and cross‑disciplinary initiatives in one of the nation’s most dynamic university research ecosystems. The appointment was announced by Brown’s president and provost on February 10, 2026, and reflects both Jain’s established record as a physician‑scientist and Brown’s commitment to strengthening life sciences leadership amid significant investments in facilities and research programs.

Jain already serves as senior vice president for health affairs and dean of medicine and biological sciences at Brown, roles he has held since joining the university in 2022. In his expanded position as senior associate provost for life sciences, he will advise the president and provost directly on institutional life sciences strategy, helping align resources, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and elevate Brown’s research impact across biomedical domains.

A major focus for Jain in his new role will be harmonizing Brown’s approach to life sciences research and education as the university prepares for the 2027 opening of the William A. and Ami Kuan Danoff Life Sciences Laboratories, a flagship facility designed to serve as a nexus for cross‑disciplinary scientific discovery and translational research. He will chair planning efforts around the facility’s scientific priorities to maximize collaboration and institutional impact.

Born and educated in the United States, Jain is an internationally recognized physician‑scientist whose research has advanced understanding in cardiovascular biology, innate immunity, and metabolism. His scholarly contributions include election to the National Academy of Medicine and leadership roles within major professional organizations, underscoring his impact within academic medicine and biomedical research.

At Brown, Jain’s leadership has extended beyond his administrative titles to tangible initiatives that strengthen the university’s research ecosystem. He played a key role in establishing the Brown Innovation and Research Collaborative for Health (BIRCH), designed to unify research efforts across the Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University Health, and Care New England. He also helped launch and secure philanthropic support for the Brown RNA Center, a hub for RNA biology research with implications for therapeutics and molecular science.

In addition to institutional planning and strategic advisory responsibilities, Jain is expected to chair a new advisory group on life sciences research, bringing together scholars, department leaders, and administrative partners to identify high‑impact opportunities for cross‑campus engagement. This role underscores Brown’s ambition to break down disciplinary silos and foster environments where collaborative research can accelerate discovery, translation, and education.

Jain’s career spans leading academic medicine units and shaping research strategy at major institutions. Before Brown, he served as chief academic officer at University Hospitals Health System in Cleveland and vice dean for medical sciences at Case Western Reserve University, where he guided biomedical programs with significant research portfolios.

The expanded leadership role comes at a moment when U.S. universities are increasingly emphasizing life sciences as a cornerstone of research portfolios that drive economic activity, attract federal funding, and translate discoveries into societal benefit. At Brown, institutional investments in signature programs and capital projects reflect this priority, with Jain’s expanded role signaling confidence in his ability to steward these ambitions.

For South Asian American communities in academia and science leadership, Jain’s appointment highlights the deepening presence of Indian American physician‑scientists in senior administrative roles that influence research direction, interdisciplinary collaboration, and academic strategy at major U.S. universities. His dual roles as dean and senior associate provost exemplify how scientific leadership and administrative vision coalesce in shaping the future of higher education.

Key Takeaways About Mukesh K. Jain

• Dr. Mukesh K. Jain has been appointed senior associate provost for life sciences at Brown University.
• He continues to serve as senior vice president for health affairs and dean of medicine and biological sciences.
• His expanded leadership role will guide life sciences strategy and interdisciplinary research.
• Jain’s research and academic contributions are internationally recognized.
• His appointment reflects broader South Asian American influence in U.S. academic leadership.