Ashlie L Burkart

Dr. Ashlie Burkart is the Chief Scientific Officer at Germin8 Ventures. As a double-boarded anatomic and clinical pathologist with expertise in gastrointestinal/liver pathology, Dr. Burkart is uniquely skilled at investigating the causes and nature of gastrointestinal diseases, as well as the laboratory application of biologic, chemical and physical sciences. She is also a Technology and Public Purpose Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, the No. 1 university think tank in the world, and is a grant-funded researcher conducting gut barrier mechanistic studies with far reaching implications for human health and disease.

Drawing upon her deep pathology and research background, Dr. Burkart plays a key role in extending Germin8’s scientific capabilities and actively supporting Germin8 portfolio companies. Dr. Burkart’s extensive knowledge across health and nutrition, microbiome, agroecology, and climate alike positions her effectively as a medical ecologist bringing intellectual horsepower to shepherd a new standard of care for people and the planet, enabled by food.

Dr. Burkart received a B.A. in biology from Brown University, where she graduated magna cum laude with an honors in neuroscience, and an M.D. from McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Burkart completed residencies in anatomic pathology and clinical pathology at John Hopkins Medical Institutions, as well as a fellowship in gastrointestinal/liver pathology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She is a recipient of the Dean’s Award for Distinguished Teaching, the highest teaching award that is awarded by the graduating medical school class. Dr. Burkart was also awarded the National Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, which the medical college awards to “one faculty member who demonstrates both clinical excellence and outstanding compassion.” She is based in Pennsylvania.