On a whim, Dr. Casey Burton first visited Missouri S&T at age 17. He was returning home from a different college visit and decided to stop in with his parents for a tour. After all, Burton’s grandfather was an S&T alumnus, so he wanted to see the campus at least.
“We were all impressed by what we saw, especially the cost, which was better compared to other institutions I was looking at attending,” says Burton, who earned a bachelor’s degree in 2013 and a Ph.D. in 2017, both in chemistry from S&T. “The other thing I liked was the distinctive focus on STEM and experiential learning for many of the majors, even humanities studies.”
Research is key
Burton was already involved in research as a high school student – he helped create a way to teach “perfect pitch” in music theory using a Simon Says-type of program. He wanted to continue researching and chose chemistry because he had always been interested in biomedicine.
During his first year at S&T, the chemistry department invited each faculty member to visit a class and present their research, then share opportunities for student laboratory work.
“I still remember Dr. Yinfa Ma’s energy and enthusiasm for research,” says Burton. “He was researching urinary metabolites that could help detect cancer – distinguishing between biomarkers in two chemicals – which was right up my alley.”
Burton says he could tell the project was just beginner work to get his feet wet, but he immediately went back to his dormitory room and started brainstorming on the whiteboard. Two days later, he brought Ma a new approach that made his eyes light up.
“The investment Yinfa made in his students and seeing them go on to succeed is great – he gave all of his students the tools needed to succeed,” says Burton. “It is wonderful to see his investment in us passed on to the next generation – with many of his students now teaching at colleges around the world.
Dr. Casey Burton in 2016 working with a P-scan devise, which conducts a a rapid, point-of-care test for early screening of cancer that non-invasively monitors levels of pteridine biomarkers in urine. Photo by Sam O’Keefe, Missouri S&T.
“As an undergraduate, I felt like a graduate student in his laboratory,” says Burton. “You don’t get that respect and support everywhere, and that is the main reason I stuck around at S&T for graduate school after earning my undergraduate degree.”
You never know where you will end up
“Until the day I graduated, I fully expected to go into teaching as a faculty member,” says Burton. “I still love the university setting, and chemistry is a central discipline in the world – plus it is just neat to learn about.”
At the time, Phelps Health, the regional health care system in south central Missouri, was growing and expanding and wanted to partner more with area schools for research projects, Burton says. During the last year of his Ph.D. research, he interviewed for a position as director of medical research and got the job.
It was a new role, so Burton crafted the job based on future potential, and along the way, he continued to earn grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense. Phelps Health then expanded its research into the field of traumatic brain injury by partnering with Fort Leonard Wood.
Dr. Casey Burton in 2019, speaking about biomarkers in lectures at an Acute Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium, a collaboration between academic institutions and the U.S. Military at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Photo by Tom Wagner, Missouri S&T.
With this support, Burton started a new role in health innovation and policy, traveling to Washington, D.C., and presenting to legislators.
“That was my first look at advocacy,” he says. “Then I started advocating for rural healthcare funding support – there was no real voice for these institutions at that time. It is great to see our successes with state appropriations and support for Phelps Health and our community.”
Burton is now executive director of research and governmental affairs at Phelps Health and was recently appointed by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe to the Missouri State Board of Health and Senior Services. He also chairs the Dean’s Leadership Council in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education at S&T.
“I love coming back to campus and being able to participate in the college’s guidance,” says Burton. “Shared governance is an interest of mine, so I was always interested in working with university leadership – just like when I was on the Dean’s Graduate Student Leadership Council as a student.”
S&T’s biomedical programs are ready to soar
“I fully believe Missouri S&T has all the potential for biomedical programs to take off on campus,” says Burton. “The growth in the biomedical-related departments, the new buildings – S&T is poised to excel in this field.”
Burton’s advice for S&T students who are interested in the biomedical field is to get engaged with faculty and contact them for student research opportunities.
“Reach out and try not to be intimidated – it is how you will best learn – there is no skill cliff,” says Burton. “Faculty will help, and no one starts out knowing everything – there is so much potential for your learning, career and more.”
Burton says students can also look for opportunities with Phelps Health.
“We host the Mid-Missouri AHEC – the area health education center – which builds awareness of health care careers,” he says. “We often have collaborative research opportunities and careers in nuclear science, my office for advocacy, and job shadowing.”