Over the past ten years, Jefferey L. Burgess has made significant contributions to translational research studying environmental arsenic exposure, the effects of combustion product exposure in fire fighters, and exposure to diesel and alternative fuel emissions in miners. He is the recipient of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) 2015 Translational Impact Award.
Dr. Burgess’ translational research was pivotal in providing an important link in arsenic exposure on the development of pulmonary diseases incorporating previous findings on animal and in vitro model systems and applying these into human studies. He has been able to validate specific arsenic-induced changes in lung and blood biomarker proteins associated with levels of arsenic exposures. More recently, Dr. Burgess has determined a significant source of arsenic exposure stems from ingested food sources. His work is helping to evaluate those levels of exposure and the subsequent biological response.
In addition, Dr. Burgess became interested in combustion product exposure in fire fighters early in his career. This interest, paired with his understanding of chemical-induced toxic effect, his interactions with basic researchers, and his application of basic science markers as biomarkers in a targeted population, allowed him to translate science into studies that are providing a deeper assessment of fire fighter’s exposure and an approach to minimize the risk and health affects for this at-risk group. A major outcome of this work has been to increase fire fighter use of respiratory protection during overhaul, the final phase of fighting a fire when self-contained breathing apparatus was previously not worn and when chemical exposures were still elevated despite no visible smoke.
Similarly, Dr. Burgess has begun to address the health status of miners. He has used his basic science and clinical skills to examine the risk that miners have in their current working conditions. His focus has been on the use of diesel engines within the mines and the effects of emissions on miner’s health. He now is examining the extent of exposure and associated health effects of diesel, biodiesel, and other alternative fuels in underground mining operations, which should help guide future efforts to reduce hazardous exposures in this setting.
Dr. Burgess currently serves as the Associate Dean of Research at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona.
The Society is pleased to present Dr. Burgess with the 2015 SOT Translational Impact Award.