Dr. Brons grew up in Southern California and obtained a PhD in Anatomy with neuroscience research in 1978. He has lived in Portland since 1979, and has been teaching at NCNM since 1981. From 1989-2002 he took a hiatus to do neuroscience research at OHSU and obtain a degree in Chinese medicine from OCOM. Dr. Brons had an acupuncture practice for a few years in the mid-nineties, but then decided that he still preferred an academic career, and now teaches at NCNM in both the ND and CCM programs. His areas of teaching are anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, and developmental biology.
Curriculum Vitae
Updated December 2, 2009
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
1993
MAcOM, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland, OR
1978
PhD (Anatomy), University of California, Los Angeles, CA
1970
BA, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
TEACHING & ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS HELD
National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, Oregon (NCNM)
School of Naturopathic Medicine
1992-present
Professor (2006-present) and Associate Professor (1992-2006) of Anatomy and Physiology
• Taught basic medical sciences to first year naturopathic medical students: gross anatomy with prosection laboratory, physiology, neuroscience and developmental biology
• Prosected cadavers for laboratory instruction
• Instructed Basic Science Clinical Correlates courses for first year students
• Provided laboratory demonstrations for East-West College of Massage and Riverdale High School
• Procured cadavers and managed the anatomy dissection laboratory
1996-present
Coordinator of Basic Medical Sciences
• Restructured and integrated anatomy, physiology, neuroscience and embryology into separate musculoskeletal and organ systems tracks designed to better prepare students for training in physical medicine and internal medicine, respectively.
• Developed and implemented the basic science curriculum into a coherent system that helped integrate anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, embryology, histology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology/public health and pathology.
• Hired instructors in pharmacology, microbiology, biochemistry, anatomy
• Evaluated performance of basic science instructors
2003-present
Associate Dean of Basic Sciences for Admissions
• Assisted in admissions by administering transfer credits for advanced standing students
• Developed admissions prerequisite requirements for both naturopathic and Oriental medicine programs
1982-1988
Assistant Professor of Anatomy
• Taught gross anatomy and embryology to first year naturopathic medical students
• Organized teaching assistants and provided instruction on prosected cadavers in the anatomy lab
School of Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM)
2003-present
• Taught Western basic sciences integrated with complexity sciences and Chinese philosophy to first year students
• Taught anatomy lab with prosected cadavers designed specifically for acupuncture point location courses for second year students
• Taught cadaver laboratory sessions wherein students could further develop techniques for needling difficult acupuncture points
Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
1989-2002
Assistant Professor of Anatomy, Department of Biological Structure and Function, School of Dentistry (Summer course)
• Taught gross anatomy and cadaver dissection to first year dental students
• Taught head and neck anatomy dissection to first year dental students
1986-1987
Instructor of Anatomy, Dept of Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine
• Taught gross anatomy and cadaver dissection to first year medical students
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland, Oregon
1991-96;
Instructor of Anatomy
1986-87
• Taught anatomy and physiology to first year Oriental Medicine students
Pacific University, Physical Therapy Department, Forest Grove, Oregon
1985-88;
Instructor of Anatomy, Physical Therapy Department
1981-82
• Taught gross anatomy and cadaver dissection to first year physical therapy students
RESEARCH POSITIONS HELD
Helfgott Institute of Research, Portland, Oregon
2006-present
Collaborated with Agatha Colbert on developing preliminary data to standardize the use of magnetic fields in a study evaluating the use of magnets in carpal tunnel syndrome.Research funds have been granted.
Collaborated with Agatha Colbert on developing preliminary data on acupuncture point impedance characteristics.
Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland , Oregon
1988-89
Research Associate, Anatomy Dept, School of Dentistry
Collaborated with Dr. Lee Robertson on mapping sensory pathways and processing in cerebellum
1987-88
Research Assistant Professor, Anatomy Dept, School of Dentistry
Determined the effects of premature synostosis of spheno-occipital synchondrosis on cranial shape and development in guinea pigs
1979-80
Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept of Medical Psychology, OHSU
Collaborated with Dr. Fitzgerald on heart conditioning in rabbits
Neurological Sciences Institute, Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center, Portland, OR
1980-81
Postdoctoral Fellow
Collaborated with Dr. Lee Robertson on mapping sensory pathways and processing in cerebellum
University of California, Los Angeles, California
1978-79
Postgraduate Research Neurophysiologist, Dept of Psychiatry
Extended previous studies on the effects of conditioning and extinction of eyeblink reflexes in neocortex in collaboration with Dr. Woody
1975-78
NIMH Predoctoral Fellow, Dept of Anatomy
Dissertation on the effects of conditioning and extinction of eyeblink reflexes in neocortex under the supervision of Dr. Woody
1972-75
Research Assistant, Dept of Anatomy, UCLA
Collaborated Dr. Elul on electrostatic properties of neuroblastoma cells
PRIVATE PRACTICE
1993-97
Private Practice, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Portland, OR
Wrote and edited submitted questions for the Anatomy portion of the NPLEX examinations for second year naturopathic students
2003-2004
NPLEX Board of Directors, Member as Anatomy Exam Chair
RESEARCH GRANTS AWARDED
1990-91
Cerebellar Control of Jaw Movements in Rabbits. Basic Science Research Grant.
OHSU School of Dentistry
1987-89
The Relationship of the Cranial Base Angle to Craniofacial Development and Morphology in the Guinea Pig.
Basic Science Research Grant.OHSU School of Dentistry.
1980-81
Studies of Neuronal Plasticity in Interpositus Neurons Produced by Microstimulation of Inferior Olive Nucleus.
Medical Research Foundation of Oregon.
PUBLICATIONS
2008
Colbert AP, Cleaver J, Brown KA, Harling N, Hwang Y, Schiffke HC, Brons J, Qin Y.
Magnets applied to acupuncture points as therapy - a literature review. Acupunct Med. 2008 Sep;26(3):160-70.
2007
Colbert AP, Yun JK, Edinger T, Brons J, Gregory WL. Skin impedance measurements for acupuncture research: development of a continuous recording system. J Altern Complem Med (Abs) 13(8):861
1993
Tong, G., Robertson, L.T. and Brons, J.F.Climbing fiber representation of the renal afferent nerve in the vernal cortex of the cat cerebellum.Brain Res. 601:65
1991
Tong, G., Robertson, L.T. and Brons, J.F.Vagal and somatic representation by the climbing fiber system in lobule V of the cat cerebellum.Brain Res. 552:58-66
1990
Brons, J.F., Robertson, L.T. and Tong, G.Somatosensory climbing fiber responses in the caudal posterior vermis of the cat cerebellum.Brain Res. 519:243-248
1988
Brons, J.F. and Gunberg, D.L.Changes in craiofacial morphology following ablation of spheno-occipital synchondrosis in young guinea pigs.Anat. Rec. 220:17A
1982
Brons, J.F., Woody, C.D. and Allon, N.Changes in excitability to weak-intensity-extracellular stimulation of units in pericruiciate cortex in cats.J.Neurophysiol. 47:377-388
1980
Brons, J.F. and Woody, C.D.Long term changes in the excitability of cortical neurons after Pavlovian conditioning and extinction.J. Neurophysiol. 44:605-615
1978
Buchhalter, J.R., Brons, J.F. and Woody, C.D.Changes in cortical neuronal excitability after presentation of a compound auditory stimulus.Brain Research 156:162-167
1975
Elul, R., Brons, J.F. and Kravitz, K.Surface change modifications associated with proliferation and differentiation in neuroblastoma cultures.Nature 258:616-617
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Courses
Dr. Brons areas of teaching are anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, and developmental biology. He currently teaches the following classes:
BAS410/420 Musculoskeletal Anatomy I, II
BAS412/422/432 Organ Systems I, II, III
CCM423 Acu-Moxa Anatomy II
