ATHENS, ATLANTA — Former vice president for research at Kansas State from 2014 to 2016, Karen J.L. Burg, has been appointed as vice president for research at the University of Georgia.
Upon the announcement of her appointment, president Jere W. Morehead spoke highly of her and said that Burg would be able to lead and make positive changes in the university.
“Continuing to grow our vibrant research enterprise is a top priority of the University of Georgia. Dr. Burg is an accomplished scientist, inventor and collaborator, and — as vice president — she will be poised to lead our institution to higher levels of research productivity, extramural funding and impact on our state, nation and world,” said Morehead.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University, Burg continued her study at Clemson University and received her master’s degree and Ph.D. in bioengineering there.
Burg is known for her research focusing on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, with implications for diagnosing and treating diseases such as cancer.
Some agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense and organizations such as the Howard Hughes Medical Institute have supported her research by allocating more than $20 million in grants.
Burg’s work has also focused on enhancing science and engineering education, introducing underrepresented minority students to bioengineering research, and expanding their participation in STEM innovation and entrepreneurship.
She has received many awards for her contributions and achievements. One of them is the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and designation as an American Association for the Advancement of Science-Lemelson Invention Ambassador.
Burg is also known as a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering, the Biomedical Engineering Society, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, the National Academy of Inventors and the American Council on Education.