Burke’s current research investigates genetic and psychosocial risk and protective factors associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Her research analyzes clinical, neuropathological and genetic data collected by sites across the United States. Burke recently assisted with a community-based investigation to promote oral health in nursing home populations and is the co-investigator in a national pilot investigation of successful recruitment strategies in National Institutes of Health funded clinical studies involving human subjects. Dr. Burke has experience in examining entitlement enhancements for neurodevelopmental conditions in order to provide evidence for adding new conditions to the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowance Initiative. She has taught courses on research methodology and gerontology at FIU.