Dr. Burgess has a broad research program working with multiple occupational and environmental populations. His occupational research projects are focused on reducing toxic exposures and preventing injuries among miners, firefighters and other first responders. His environmental focus has been on evaluation of population-level exposures to arsenic in drinking water and diet and improvement of emergency preparedness. He also heads training programs in industrial hygiene, health, and safety.

Dr. Burgess participates in several university-wide health collaborations, including the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center, the Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources, the University of Arizona Cancer Center, and Bio5. He currently holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering. He serves on national committees dedicated to fostering research to improve the health and safety of public safety personnel and miners.