Adam Burgener, PhD

Dr. Adam Burgener's research is making a real difference in the field of global health and has the potential to improve the lives of women around the world. Dr. Burgener is a global health researcher who is doing groundbreaking work in understanding how our body's defenses work against infections. He is especially interested in how these defenses work in women and how we can prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and HPV.

One of Dr. Burgener's most exciting discoveries is that the bacteria that live in our body, known as the microbiome, can affect the effectiveness of medications used to prevent HIV in women. This is important because it means we need to think about more than just the drugs when designing HIV prevention strategies for women. His lab was the first to show that the microbiome can affect antiretroviral-based pre-exposure prophylaxis efficacy for HIV prevention in women.

Dr. Burgener is also leading several studies to better understand how the immune system works in the mucosal tissues of the body, which are the tissues that line the openings of the body such as the vagina, rectum, and mouth. By studying these tissues in humans, Dr. Burgener and his team hope to develop better ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including developing new technologies and vaccines.

Finally, Dr. Burgener is also investigating why there are differences in cancer rates between women of different races and ethnicities. By understanding these disparities, he hopes to find new ways to prevent and treat cancer that are tailored to each woman's individual needs.

Dr. Adam Burgener is a renowned researcher and academic in the field of global health, vaccines, and infectious diseases. He is the Adel Mahmoud Professor of Global Health and Vaccines, an endowed professor, and the director of the Center for Global Health and Diseases at Case Western Reserve University, where he leads a dynamic research team investigating the complex interplay between mucosal immunity and susceptibility to infection.

Dr. Burgener's career spans two decades, during which he has made significant contributions to the field of global health. His research has played a critical role in understanding the mechanisms that contribute to mucosal immunity and susceptibility to infection, particularly in the context of sexually transmitted infections and HIV prevention in women. His lab's groundbreaking discovery that the microbiome affects antiretroviral-based pre-exposure prophylaxis efficacy for HIV prevention in women has opened up new avenues of research in the field.

In addition to his role at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Burgener is also the co-leader for the Population and Cancer Prevention Program at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. He holds academic cross appointments at the University of Manitoba, where he is highly regarded for his contributions to the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences.

Dr. Burgener obtained his PhD in microbiology/biotechnology from the University of Manitoba, where he also earned his bachelor of science in biotechnology. He completed his post-doctoral work at the National Microbiology Lab in Canada under the tutelage of Dr. Frank Plummer, studying HIV transmission in women from Kenya.

With a passion for improving global health outcomes, Dr. Burgener's work has earned him widespread recognition and numerous accolades. He is a sought-after speaker, a respected mentor to countless aspiring researchers, and a valuable collaborator to researchers across the globe.

Education

University of Manitoba, Canada

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Microbiology/Biotechnology (2005)
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biotechnology (1999)