The UF College of Dentistry announced the appointment of Robert Burne, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Oral Biology, to the position of Associate Dean for Research. Dr. Burne will serve the college in this dual administrative capacity.
“This is a natural progression for Dr. Burne who spearheaded a crucial funding effort that has positioned the college well to maintain our excellence in oral health related basic science research and to further develop our expertise in clinical and translational science research,” said Teresa A. Dolan, D.D.S., M.P.H., dean of the college.
The Associate Dean for Research is responsible for the operations of the Office of Research and advancing the research mission of the college. This key leadership position plays a critical role in supporting the college’s faculty in research endeavors, ensuring compliance with all federal and university rules regarding research and research compliance, and representing the college’s research efforts within the university, the state, the nation and internationally.
Burne earned his bachelor’s degree in 1981 from Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pa., and his doctorate in 1987 from the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y. He served on the faculty of the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry from 1990 to 2001 when he joined the University of Florida.
Burne’s research focus is in the area of molecular microbiology, and he has received numerous National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH/NIDCR) R01 awards. He has published more than 100 papers and is invited to lecture throughout the world. Burne is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has also distinguished himself through service as president of the Microbiology and Immunology Section of the International Association for Dental Research, as a member of the NIDCR Caries Technical Advisory Panel, and as a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Bacteriology and Infection and Immunity.