Joshua Brill, MD

Joshua Brill, MD

Clinical Fellow, Gynecologic Oncology

Education

Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Residency: University of Minnesota

Fellowship

Why did you choose WashU OBGYN for your fellowship?

I chose WashU because it offers outstanding surgical training, a strong research environment, and a clear commitment to medical education. I’ve always been passionate about teaching, and I was drawn to a program that not only encourages fellows to teach but actively supports their growth as educators. The people here, including faculty, co-fellows, and residents, are collaborative, engaged, and deeply invested in both patient care and each other’s success

What are you looking forward to the most by being a fellow at WashU?

I’m most looking forward to growing as a surgeon, educator, and researcher in a place that values all three. WashU offers unparalleled opportunities to engage in complex surgical care, contribute to meaningful research, and play an active role in medical education, all alongside a community of people who are supportive, collaborative, and deeply invested in advancing the field.

What goals do you hope to accomplish during your fellowship?

I hope to complete fellowship as a well-rounded academic gynecologic oncologist, confident in the operating room, engaged in impactful research, and effective as a clinical educator. I’m especially focused on refining my surgical skills, developing educational tools that support learners across all stages of training, and contributing to the care of patients in St. Louis and surrounding communities.

What are your research interests?

My research interests include both translational ovarian cancer therapeutics and medical education. I study how COPS5 inhibition sensitizes ovarian tumors to PARP inhibitors through mechanisms involving replication stress and transcription-replication conflicts. I’m also developing a competency-based chemotherapy curriculum for gynecologic oncology fellows, with a focus on applied learning and assessment.

Awards & Honors

  • Morris Alpert M.D. Endowed Scholarship for Academic Excellence in the Second Year (Albany Medical College)
  • Kenneth M. Archibold Prize (Albany Medical College)
  • Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award (University of Minnesota)
  • SGO Outstanding Resident in Gynecologic Oncology (University of Minnesota), SMFM Residency Program Award for Excellence in Obstetrics (University of Minnesota)
  • AAGL Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (University of Minnesota)
  • Raymond J Albrecht, MD Award (University of Minnesota)

Personal

Hometown: Barrington, Rhode Island

What do you do outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, especially big weekend meals, and spending time with my family. My wife and I have a young son and a very energetic dog, so our days are usually busy and just a little chaotic. We also purchased an older home, and restoring/maintaining it has become both a hobby and a labor of love.

Fun fact: Most people don’t know that I once wrote a letter to Oliver Sacks while I was considering a career in medicine, which he responded to. His response, and his writing more broadly, had a lasting impact on how I think about the human side of medicine and the importance of storytelling in clinical care.


What advice would you give OBGYN residents applying for your chosen fellowship specialty?

My advice is to find strong mentorship, take initiative, and pursue research that reflects your interests. Most importantly, look for a program that feels like a good fit and aligns with your long-term goals, where you’ll be challenged, supported, and able to grow as a physician.