A PhD was a natural progression for Brian, who has spent most of his career working with people suffering from mental illness and substance abuse problems.

“I liked research and writing. I also liked connecting the evidence with practice. I found myself continually reading the journals and seeing how the research could apply to my practice. With a PhD, I can help create new knowledge in my field.

“The Brown School was the clear choice for me. It has many faculty members who excel in their fields. The School also is exceptionally strong in the area of mental health services research. The resources are fantastic in terms of what is needed to carry out research. I was offered a National Institute of Mental Health fellowship, which also contributed to my decision to come here.”

After completing his PhD at the Brown School, Dr. Perron joined the faculty at the University of Michigan's School of Social Work. His research encompasses both clinical epidemiology and services for persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Dr. Perron credits his early career achievements to the expert training he received at the Brown School.