Professor Braun received her B.S. Degree in Biology from Fairfield University and her Ph.D. in Microbiology from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C. After completing a NIH postdoctoral position from University of Connecticut Health Science Center, Farmington Connecticut in Molecular Biology, she joined the faculty at Fairfield University in 1979, received tenure in 1984, and was promoted to the rank of Professor in 1989.

Professor Braun's research had focused on the metabolism and growth of Candida albicans. Her work involved the effects of tea polyphenols (EGCG, EGC and ECG) on the formation and disruption of biofilms created by this organism. Her current research involves the investigation of antimicrobial activities of both the pallial cavity fluids and normal flora of the oyster Crassostrea virginica from Long Island Sound.

Brousseau, D.J., P.C. Braun, A. Harper-Leatherman, E. Sullivan*, and J.A. Baglivo, 2014, Antimicrobial activity in the pallial cavity fluids of the oyster, Crassostrea, virginica, from a highly impacted harbor in western Long Island Sound, J. Shellfish Res. 33:719-724. Evensen, Nikki A.; Braun, Phyllis C. The Effects of Tea Polyphenols on Candida albicans: Inhibition of Biofilm Formation and Proteasome Inactivation. Canadian Journal of Microbiology (2009) 55:1033-1039. Braun, Phyllis C.; Zoidis, John D.. 'Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: New Perspectives and Preventive Strategies.' RT The Journal for Respiratory Care Practitioners 20.8 (2007): 42-46. Braun, Phyllis C.; Zoidis, John. 'Hospital Infection Control and Prevention: Understanding the Mechanism of Infectious Organisms Can Aid Hospital Staff in Preventing and Treating Nosocomial Infections (Cover Story).' RT: The Journal for Respiratory Care Practitioners 18.11 (2005): 22-28, 58. Braun, Phyllis C.. 'The Effect of Farnesol on Amino Acid Transport by Wild-Type and Cell-Wall Variant Strains of Candida albicans.' Canadian Journal of Microbiology (2005):51:715-718. Zoidis, John; Braun, Phyllis C.. 'Update on Tuberculosis: Therapeutic Strategies Include Directly Observed Therapy and Shorter Courses of Treatment (Cover Story).' RT: The Journal for Respiratory Care Practitioners 18.9 (2005): 18-20. Braun, Phyllis C.; Zoidis, John. 'Atypical Pneumonia.' RT: The Journal for Respiratory Care Practitioners 17.8 (2004): 24-26, 42. Braun, Phyllis C.; Zoidis, John. 'Update on Drug-Resistant Pathogens: Mechanism of Resistance, Emerging Strains and Methods of Control (Cover Story).' RT: The Journal for Respiratory Care Practitioners 17.1 (2004): 22-25, 42. Braun, Phyllis C.; Zoidis, John. 'Viral Infections of the Lower Respiratory Tract: Understanding Influenza, RSV Infections, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome and SARS.' RT: The Journal for Respiratory Care Practitioners 17.4 (2004): 22-25. Zoidis, John; Braun, Phyllis C.. 'Flu Update: The Influenza Epidemic of 2003-2004.' RT: The Journal for Respiratory Care Practitioners 17.2 (2004): 12.