Dr. Tina Burke

Dr. Tina M. Burke is the Associate Director of the Behavioral Biology Branch and a Sleep Research Scientist at WRAIR.

Dr. Burke grew up in Conneaut, OH. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Psychology from Kent State University in Kent, OH in 2004. She then earned a Master’s of Science in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado – Boulder in 2009. In 2011, she completed a dual Ph.D. in Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of Colorado– Boulder. Her graduate research aimed at developing our understanding of mechanisms by which photic and non-photic stimuli (e.g., exogenous melatonin, caffeine) can be used as countermeasures to improve sleep, alertness and performance, as well as how they can be integrated and influence sleep and entrain circadian rhythms.

Following her doctoral degree, Dr. Burke pursed a career in academia as a Pharmacy Technology Program Director and teaching as an adjunct professor at the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Regis University, and the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy. During this time, Dr. Burke pursued educational research for the sciences and implemented a novel teaching technique in the undergraduate classroom. Still with a passion for sleep research, Dr. Burke began her postdoctoral work in the Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory at the University of Colorado – Boulder under the mentorship of Dr. Kenneth P. Wright Jr. Specifically, her research focused on a Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) grant studying the impact of sleep and circadian disruption on the human microbiome and related changes in human physiology and cognition. Additionally, this research sought to identify biomarkers for insufficient sleep and circadian rhythm disruption (metabolomics and proteomics).

In 2017, Dr. Burke accepted a contractor position at WRAIR as an Experimental Sleep and Performance Scientist. During this time, she conducted research in the Sleep Research Center as well as lead research projects in the field as part of the Operational Research Team. In 2018, she accepted a civilian position as a Sleep Research Scientist and soon after became the Sleep Research Team Chief (manages the Sleep Research Center and Operational Research Team). Following in 2020 she became the Associate Director of the Behavioral Biology Branch. As a sleep and circadian subject matter expert, she serves on the WRAIR Health and Well-being Committee.

Dr. Burke has been awarded two Merit Awards by the Sleep Research Society. Additionally, she was awarded the Circadian Rhythms Section Award and earned the Young Investigator Honorable Mention from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. As an educator, she has received three teaching excellence awards. During her time as Associate Director, she has earned a Civilian Service Commendation Medal and a Civilian Service Achievement Medal, as well as four Service Awards. Dr. Burke is a professional member of the National Sleep Foundation, Sleep Research Society, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Society for Biological Rhythms, and the Society for Neuroscience.

Dr. Burke has had the pleasure of support and companionship with her husband Tim Srenaski. Tim is a retired professional road cyclist and also a brilliant data scientist.