Full Name
Matthew Kasper
Job Title
Chief, Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Division
Company
Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division
Speaker Bio
CDR Matthew R. Kasper, Ph.D. was born and raised in Holmes,
N.Y. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Rochester and his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, both in Microbiology & Immunology. He received an Executive M.B.A degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and has completed JPME Phase I.
CDR Kasper currently serves the as the Chief of Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Branch. In this capacity he oversees a global network of infectious disease surveillance activities at DoD Laboratories. He also serves as the U.S. Navy Microbiology Specialty Leader.
After completing his Ph.D., he joined the U.S. Navy microbiology community and was assigned as clinical microbiology division officer, National Naval Medical Center in 2005 where he supported efforts in identifying nosocomial infection outbreaks and wound infection research. In 2007, he was assigned to the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2, Jakarta, Indonesia where he led research efforts in Indonesia, Cambodia and initiated scientific engagements in Malaysia. In 2010, he reported to U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6, Lima Peru where he worked with U.S. military and host nation partners in Peru, Ecuador, and El Salvador. He led the first laboratory accreditation of NAMRU-6 by the College of American Pathologists, achieved in 2013. Throughout his time overseas he led regional research and surveillance efforts on numerous viral and bacterial pathogens, to include advancing pathogen characterization and discovery efforts. In 2013, he was detailed to the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance program as the Deputy Chief. In this capacity he supervised an infectious disease surveillance portfolio throughout the DOD laboratories, and in coordination with the Combatant Commands, that spanned over 70 countries. In 2015, he was assigned as the Director of Field Laboratory Operations at the Naval Medical Research Center in Silver Spring, MD providing oversight to the activities of the NMR&D Laboratory Commands located in the U.S., Egypt, Peru and Singapore with regional laboratories in Ghana and Cambodia. In 2016, he was selected as a Navy Office of Legislative Affairs Fellowship and assigned to the office of Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) through 2017. After the fellowship, he served as the U.S Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Legislative liaison at the in Falls Church, VA supporting legislative and congressional engagement priorities for Navy Medicine. In 2021, he was assigned as the Deputy Science Director, Naval Medical Research Center where he supported the scientific priorities throughout the NMR&D enterprise. He has over 60 peer-reviewed publications and has served as an Associate Editor for the PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases Journal, Navy Lead for the OSD Biotechnology Ethical, Legal, Social, and Environmental Issues (ELSI) working group, and on the nominating committee for the ASTMH. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medical, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal.
N.Y. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Rochester and his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, both in Microbiology & Immunology. He received an Executive M.B.A degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and has completed JPME Phase I.
CDR Kasper currently serves the as the Chief of Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Branch. In this capacity he oversees a global network of infectious disease surveillance activities at DoD Laboratories. He also serves as the U.S. Navy Microbiology Specialty Leader.
After completing his Ph.D., he joined the U.S. Navy microbiology community and was assigned as clinical microbiology division officer, National Naval Medical Center in 2005 where he supported efforts in identifying nosocomial infection outbreaks and wound infection research. In 2007, he was assigned to the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2, Jakarta, Indonesia where he led research efforts in Indonesia, Cambodia and initiated scientific engagements in Malaysia. In 2010, he reported to U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6, Lima Peru where he worked with U.S. military and host nation partners in Peru, Ecuador, and El Salvador. He led the first laboratory accreditation of NAMRU-6 by the College of American Pathologists, achieved in 2013. Throughout his time overseas he led regional research and surveillance efforts on numerous viral and bacterial pathogens, to include advancing pathogen characterization and discovery efforts. In 2013, he was detailed to the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance program as the Deputy Chief. In this capacity he supervised an infectious disease surveillance portfolio throughout the DOD laboratories, and in coordination with the Combatant Commands, that spanned over 70 countries. In 2015, he was assigned as the Director of Field Laboratory Operations at the Naval Medical Research Center in Silver Spring, MD providing oversight to the activities of the NMR&D Laboratory Commands located in the U.S., Egypt, Peru and Singapore with regional laboratories in Ghana and Cambodia. In 2016, he was selected as a Navy Office of Legislative Affairs Fellowship and assigned to the office of Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) through 2017. After the fellowship, he served as the U.S Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Legislative liaison at the in Falls Church, VA supporting legislative and congressional engagement priorities for Navy Medicine. In 2021, he was assigned as the Deputy Science Director, Naval Medical Research Center where he supported the scientific priorities throughout the NMR&D enterprise. He has over 60 peer-reviewed publications and has served as an Associate Editor for the PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases Journal, Navy Lead for the OSD Biotechnology Ethical, Legal, Social, and Environmental Issues (ELSI) working group, and on the nominating committee for the ASTMH. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medical, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal.
Speaking At
