Dr. Joel Brown

Dr. Joel Brown serves as Director of the Creation Research Society’s Van Andel Creation Research Center, where he leads scientific research that points to a young, created Earth and glorifies the Creator. He brings real scientific credentials and deep academic experience to the origins debate.

Dr. Brown grew up as a pastor’s son with a biblical worldview and chose to follow Christ at a young age. He holds a B.S. in Biology Education, a master’s degree in Biology, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Cornell University — where his research explored genes and molecular pathways in early mammalian development. After completing a postdoctoral research fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Brown spent years in science education, including teaching biology in public schools using a 100-acre outdoor classroom to help students engage with nature firsthand.

At CRS, Dr. Brown’s passion is helping believers think clearly about origins, bridging scientific rigor with biblical truth. He focuses on where the secular worldview and Scripture collide, and equips churches, families, and young people to evaluate evidence honestly in light of God’s Word. As both a scientist and Christian communicator, he steps directly into the conflict between naturalistic assumptions and a biblical framework of origins. 

Dr. Brown and his wife Erin reside in Sun City, Arizona with their eight children. Their busy family enjoys playing board games, visiting national parks, hiking, and camping.