![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20160714-Yinfa-Ma-P-Scan-0141-1024x683.jpg\")
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\u2019Keefe, Missouri S&T.<\/p>\nOn 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\u2019s grandfather was an S&T alumnus, so he wanted to see the campus at least.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were all impressed by what we saw, especially the cost, which was better compared to other institutions I was looking at attending,\u201d says Burton, who earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in 2013 and a Ph.D. in 2017, both in chemistry from S&T. \u201cThe other thing I liked was the distinctive focus on STEM and experiential learning for many of the majors, even humanities studies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Research is key<\/p>\n
Burton was already involved in research as a high school student \u2013 he helped create a way to teach \u201cperfect pitch\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still remember Dr. Yinfa Ma\u2019s energy and enthusiasm for research,\u201d says Burton. \u201cHe was researching urinary metabolites that could help detect cancer \u2013 distinguishing between biomarkers in two chemicals \u2013 which was right up my alley.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe investment Yinfa made in his students and seeing them go on to succeed is great \u2013 he gave all of his students the tools needed to succeed,\u201d says Burton. \u201cIt is wonderful to see his investment in us passed on to the next generation \u2013 with many of his students now teaching at colleges around the world.<\/p>\n
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\u2019Keefe, Missouri S&T.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an undergraduate, I felt like a graduate student in his laboratory,\u201d says Burton. \u201cYou don\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
You never know where you will end up<\/p>\n
\u201cUntil the day I graduated, I fully expected to go into teaching as a faculty member,\u201d says Burton. \u201cI still love the university setting, and chemistry is a central discipline in the world \u2013 plus it is just neat to learn about.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the time, Phelps Health<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n With this support, Burton started a new role in health innovation and policy, traveling to Washington, D.C., and presenting to legislators.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was my first look at advocacy,\u201d he says. \u201cThen I started advocating for rural healthcare funding support \u2013 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Leadership Council<\/a> in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education<\/a> at S&T.<\/p>\n \u201cI love coming back to campus and being able to participate in the college\u2019s guidance,\u201d says Burton. \u201cShared governance is an interest of mine, so I was always interested in working with university leadership \u2013 just like when I was on the Dean\u2019s Graduate Student Leadership Council as a student.\u201d<\/p>\n S&T\u2019s biomedical programs are ready to soar<\/p>\n \u201cI fully believe Missouri S&T has all the potential for biomedical programs to take off on campus,\u201d says Burton. \u201cThe growth in the biomedical-related departments, the new buildings \u2013 S&T is poised to excel in this field.\u201d<\/p>\n Burton\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cReach out and try not to be intimidated \u2013 it is how you will best learn \u2013 there is no skill cliff,\u201d says Burton. \u201cFaculty will help, and no one starts out knowing everything \u2013 there is so much potential for your learning, career and more.\u201d<\/p>\n Burton says students can also look for opportunities with Phelps Health.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20190404_TBI_conclave_at_Ft_Leonard_465-1024x683.jpg\")
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. <\/p>\n