Karen J.L. Burg, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research | Harbor Lights Chair in Biomedical Research | Professor of Small Animal Medicine & Surgery | Professor of Chemical, Materials, & Biomedical Engineering
150 Coverdell Center
501 D.W. Brooks Drive
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia 30602
United States
Honored with a 2022 U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring for her work with underrepresented groups to develop fully the Nation’s human resources in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Karen J.L. Burg is the Harbor Lights Chair of Biomedical Research in the Department of Small Animal Medicine & Surgery and Professor of Chemical, Materials, & Biomedical Engineering. Burg is an internationally recognized biomaterials educator, inventor, and researcher for her work to inspire equitable innovation in biomedicine and biomedical education. Her body of published work initiated and elucidated critical processes and technologies that have led to the current state of commercial tissue fabrication. Her 3D tissue fabrication cultureware and methodology was the impetus for the launch of functional precision oncology company Kiyatec, Inc., which has demonstrated the utility of her technology in multiple clinical trials and in partnership with global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, evaluating patient-specific predictor tests for improved response to cancer therapies. Dr. Burg’s research and innovation has inspired hundreds of mentees now working in industry, academia, and government; her research mentoring efforts are most recently visible in the National Institutes of Health’s National Research Mentoring Network Launching Research course series, which she authored.
Education
Academic
- Postdoctorate, Carolinas Medical Center, Tissue Engineering, 1999
- Ph.D., Clemson University, Bioengineering (Experimental Statistics minor), 1996
- M.S., Clemson University, Bioengineering, 1992
- B.S., North Carolina State University, Chemical Engineering (Biochemical Engineering minor), 1990
Professional
- National Science Foundation Innovation Corps, 2020
- American Council on Education Advancing to the Presidency, 2015
- National Science Foundation Innovation Corps for Learning, 2015
- American Association of State Colleges & Universities Millennium Leadership Institute, 2013
- Harvard University Institute for Management and Leadership in Education, 2011
- American Council on Education Fellowship, 2006
Professional Appointments
Academic Leadership Roles
- Vice President for Research, University of Georgia, 2021 – present
- Executive Vice President, University of Georgia Research Foundation, 2021 – present
- Vice President for Research, Kansas State University, 2014 – 2016
- Director, Institute for Biological Interfaces of Engineering, Clemson University, 2007 – 2014
- American Council on Education Fellow (Mentor: President G. Wayne Clough), Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007
- American Council on Education Fellow (Mentor: President Freeman Hrabowski), University of Maryland Baltimore County, 2006
- Materials and Processing Research Thrust Leader, Clemson University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Clark Atlanta University National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films, 2004 – 2006
Faculty Appointments
- Professor of Chemical, Materials, & Biomedical Engineering, University of Georgia, 2020 – present
- Harbor Lights Endowed Chair & Professor of Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Georgia, 2016 – present
- Professor of Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University, 2014 – 2016
- Hunter Endowed Chair & Professor Emerita, Clemson University, 2014 – present
- Vice Provost & Dean of the Graduate School, Clemson University, Interim Appointment, 2011 – 2014
- Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, Clemson University, Interim Appointment, 2007 – 2011
- Professor and Hunter Endowed Chair of Bioengineering, Clemson University, 2005 – 2014
- Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (adjoint), Clemson University, 2009 – 2014
- Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (adjoint), Clemson University, 2005 – 2008
- Associate Professor of Bioengineering, Clemson University, 2003 – 2005
- Associate Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (adjoint), Clemson University, 2003 – 2005
- Associate Professor of Graduate Studies, Medical University of South Carolina, 2003 – 2008
- Research Faculty (adjunct), Carolinas Medical Center, 1999 – 2004
- Assistant Professor of Bioengineering, Clemson University, 1999 – 2003
- Research Associate, Department of General Surgery Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1999
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of General Surgery Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1996–1998
- Research Associate, Poly-Med, Inc., 1996
Professional Organization Leadership Roles
- Member, Army Research Leadership Council, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, 2023-present
- Director, Advisory Board, Battelle Savannah River Alliance, 2021-present
- Member Representative, Southeastern Universities Research Association, 2021-present
- Director and Chair, Advisory Board, Kansas State University Research Foundation, 2014-2016
- Director and Chair, Advisory Board, Kansas State Innovation Partners, 2014-2016
- Director, Advisory Board, National Academy of Inventors, 2014-present
- President, Society For Biomaterials, 2011-2012
- President-Elect, Society For Biomaterials, 2010-2011
- Director, Advisory Board, SC BIO, 2010-2011
- Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Histotechnology, 2006-2017
- Executive Editor, Biomaterials Forum, 2005-2011
Other Professional Experience
U.S. Department of State Activities
- Alumni Ambassador, US-Netherlands Global Entrepreneurship Summit, The Hague, The Netherlands, 2019
- Delegate, US-India Global Entrepreneurship Summit, Hyderabad, India, 2017
National Academies/National Science Board/National Research Council Activities
- Co-chair, Education Committee, National Academy of Inventors, 2022-2024
- Member, Program Committee, National Academy of Inventors, 2016-2018, 2024
- Moderator, National Academy of Inventors Annual Meeting-Future of Patents in a Conscious-Lead Economy Panel, Phoenix, AZ, 2022
- Speaker, National Academy of Inventors Annual Meeting-U.S. IP Alliance Panel, 2021
- Moderator, National Academy of Inventors-US Patent and Trademark Listening Tour with Director Andrei Iancu, Breaking Patent Barriers, 2020
- Panel Moderator & Discussant, National Academy of Inventors Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ (2020 – Meeting Cancelled Due to COVID-19; panel content captured in Technology & Innovation Annual Meeting issue)
- Moderator, National Academy of Inventors Annual Meeting-Harnessing ALL Available Talent to Invent a Better World, Houston, TX, 2019
- Reviewer, National Academies National Research Council Research Associateship Programs, 2/2013, 6/2013, 12/2013, 3/2014, 3/2015, 3/2016, 6/2016, 9/2016, 12/2016, 3/2017, 6/2017, 8/2017, 12/2017, 3/2018, 6/2018, 8/2018, 12/2018
- Panel Chair, National Academy of Inventors Annual Meeting-Intersection of Ideas and Entrepreneurship, Washington D.C., 2018
- Guest Editor (National Academy of Inventors 2018 conference issue), Technology and Innovation
- Session Chair, National Academy of Inventors Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, 2018
- Chair, National Academy of Inventors Development Committee, 2017-2018
- Invited Presenter, 15th Annual National Academies Keck Futures Initiative Conference, 2017
- Member, National Academy of Inventors Industry Task Force, 2017
- Panel Moderator, National Academy of Inventors Annual Meeting-Honoring Innovators through Local NAI Chapters, Boston, MA, 2017
- Panelist, National Academy of Inventors Annual Meeting-Impacting Society through Invention and Entrepreneurship, Boston, MA, 2017
- Member, Board of Directors, National Academy of Inventors, 2015-present
- Member, Nominations Committee, National Academy of Inventors, 2015-present
- Invited Panelist, National Academy of Inventors Annual Meeting, Pasadena, CA, 2015
- Invited Participant, 13th Annual National Academies Keck Futures Initiative Conference, 2015
- Invited Contributor, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and Keck Foundation Project on Innovative Research, 2013-2014
- Session Chair, National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, 2012
- Member (ex officio), Organizing Committee, National Academy of Engineering US Frontiers of Engineering Meeting, 2012
- Invited Presenter, National Academy of Engineering Indo-America Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, 2008
- Contributor to the National Science Board National Action Plan for Addressing the Critical Needs of the U.S. STEM Education System (NSB-07-114), 2007
- Invited Presenter, 4th Annual National Academies Keck Futures Initiative Conference, 2006
- Invited Presenter, 3rd Annual National Academies Keck Futures Initiative Conference, 2005
- Invited Participant, National Academy of Engineering, Ninth Annual Symposium “Frontiers in Engineering”, 2003
- Panelist, National Academy of Engineering Frontiers in Engineering Public Awareness of Engineering, 2003
- Invited Presenter, National Academy of Sciences Annual Symposium “Frontiers of Science”, 2002
Awards & Honors
White House Awards
- Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM, from US President Joseph Biden), 2021
- Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE, from US President George W. Bush), 2002
Fellowships
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2018
- International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering, 2016
- Biomedical Engineering Society, 2015
- National Academy of Inventors, 2014
- American Council on Education, 2006
- American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, 2006
Advocacy Honors
- Distinguished AIMBE Advocate, American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineering, 2021
- Inaugural Ambassador, American Association for the Advancement of Science-Lemelson Invention Ambassadors, 2014
Other Prestigious Awards and Honors
- Distinguished Alumni Award, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University, 2022
- Inaugural Sentinel Award, National Academy of Inventors, 2022
- Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society, 2015-2016
- Invited Presenter, Biomaterials and Biocompatibility/Tissue Engineering Gordon Research Conference, 2009
- Clemson University Board of Trustees Award for Faculty Excellence, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
- Sigma Xi Outstanding Researcher Award, 2008
- National Society for Histotechnology Award, 2007
- Inaugural AORF Research Prize, Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) Foundation, Switzerland, 2006
- South Carolina Governor’s Young Scientist Award for Excellence in Scientific Research, 2006
- National Society for Histotechnology C.F.A. Culling Lecture Award, 2006
- Clemson University College of Engineering and Science Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, 2006
- Invited Presenter, Mammary Gland Biology Gordon Research Conference, 2005
- Department of Defense Era of Hope Scholars Award, 2004
- Named to MIT Technology Review’s TR100 Young Innovators List, 2003
- Clemson University Outstanding Woman Faculty Award, 2003
- Clemson University Dixon Fellow, 2003, 2004, 2005
- Invited Presenter, Biomaterials and Biocompatibility/Tissue Engineering Gordon Research Conference, 2001
- National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career (CAREER) Award recipient, 2001
- Inducted to Sigma Xi International Research Honor Society, 2000
- Inducted to Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, 1986
Areas of Expertise
- Absorbable polymers
- Biofabrication
- Effective mentoring
- Regenerative engineering
- Science and engineering education
- Translation of research
- 3D tissue test systems
Publications
Karen JL Burg – Google Scholar
Books
- Engineering 3D Tissue Test Systems, KJL Burg, D Dréau, TC Burg, CRC Press, 2017.
- Polymers for Vascular and Urogenital Applications, SW Shalaby, KJL Burg, and WSW Shalaby, CRC Press, 2012.
- Absorbable and Biodegradable Polymers, SW Shalaby and KJL Burg, CRC Press, 2004.
Training Courses
- Research Experience and Mentoring Modules, KJL Burg, JA Gilmore, TC Burg, http://www.eqpoint.info/ , 2019. Curricular series, focused on introducing professional skills to novice researchers. Content adapted for broad dissemination through the National Research Mentoring Network, https://nrmnet.net/, Launching Research Course Series, 2022.
- National Research Mentoring Network Launching Research Part 1: Laboratory Readiness
- National Research Mentoring Network Launching Research Part 2: Tools for Organization and Investigation
Other Links
Additional Information
Intellectual Property
- Materials Transport Device for Diagnostic Application, S Tabbaa, KJL Burg, US Patent 9,849,452 (to University of Georgia), Issued 12/26/17.
- Materials Transport Device for Tissue Engineering Application, S Tabbaa, KJL Burg, US Patent 10,933,412 (to University of Georgia), Issued 3/2/21.
- Tissue Engineering on the Dome (to Clemson University), F Alexis, KJL Burg, K-12 short film for planetarium use, disclosure 2012, film produced, 2014.
- Anchored Multi-Phasic Osteochondral Construct (to Clemson University), S Maxson, KJL Burg, US Patent 9,475,531 (Clemson University), Issued 7/2/13.
- Call Me Doctor, trademark application 2007, US Trademark 3,928,778 registered 2011.
- Three-Dimensional Ex Vivo System (diagnostic system), KJL Burg, C Yang, US Patent 8,293,531 (to Clemson University), Issued 10/23/12.
- Tissue Engineering Composite, KJL Burg, US Patent 6,991,652 (to Clemson University), Issued 1/31/2006, option agreement 5/2009, option agreement 6/2012.
- Co-Culture Bioreactor System, DE Orr, KJL Burg, US Patent 8,865,460 (to Clemson University), Issued 2014, license, 2008.
- Absorbable Tissue Expander (method of tissue reconstruction), KJL Burg, CR Halberstadt, WD Holder, Jr, US Patent 6,666,893 (to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, reassigned to Clemson University in 2010), Issued 12/23/2003.
- Apparatus and Method for Biomaterial Assay (to Clemson University), M Gevaert, KJL Burg, US Patent 7,118,909 (to Clemson University), Issued 10/10/2006. Featured in Red Herring, Innovation Pipeline, Issued 2005, license, 2008.
- Absorbable Tissue Expander (device), KJL Burg, CR Halberstadt, WD Holder, Jr, U.S. Patent 6,206,930 (to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, reassigned to Clemson University in 2010), Issued 3/27/01.
In the News
- Kiyatec and AstraZeneca Announce a Multifaceted Research Agreement to Generate Novel Preclinical Data
- Burg Receives Presidential Award for Mentoring
- Meet PAESMEM Awardee, Dr. Karen Burg
- President Biden Honors 117 Individuals and Organizations with Highest U.S. Award for Science and Mathematics Teachers and Mentors
- AAAS and the Lemelson Foundation Announce the 2014 Inaugural Class of AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassadors
- Burg Recognized as National Academy of Inventors Fellow
- Inspiring Equitable Innovation in Healthcare
- Inaugural Class of Invention Ambassadors Highlights Need for Innovation
- Karen Burg Engineered a Minimally Invasive Process to Rebuild Tissue for Breast Cancer Survivors
- President Bush Names 20 NSF-Supported Young Scientists and Engineers for Awards
Videos
150 Coverdell Center
501 D.W. Brooks Drive
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia 30602
United States