Jerod A. Brammer
Windcrest,TX
Summary
Transformational leader in biomedical research and education, overseeing a multimillion-dollar research portfolio and directing a multidisciplinary and multicultural team of 250+ Scientists, Soldiers, Civilians, and Academics. Proven track record in strategic planning, faculty development, and advancing academic excellence, with a commitment to fostering innovation and student success.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Officer of the Research Directorate
United States Army Institute of Surgical Research
Fort Sam Houston, TX
03.2023 - Current
- Serves as the Executive Officer of the Research Directorate at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, overseeing a team of 250 research scientists, technicians, and support staff. Manages an annual research budget exceeding $40 million, ensuring strategic alignment and operational excellence in military medical research.
- Leads the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of strategic and operational project plans, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and informed decision-making. Manages 48 active projects across three strategic research portfolios, delivering innovative solutions to combat casualty care gaps on the battlefield while upholding fiscal responsibility and stewardship of taxpayer resources.
- Provides leadership and support to Soldiers and Civilians by proactively addressing emerging issues, and fostering conflict resolution strategies that minimize risk to both individuals and the institution. Committed to maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collaborative environment that upholds the values of fairness and institutional integrity.
- Manages the drafting and submission of all intramural Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) grants across three Strategic Research Portfolios, securing funding that accounts for over 80% of the organization's annual budget. Successfully drove a 9% increase in overall funding for 2025, ensuring sustained growth and innovation in research initiatives.
- Provides oversight and strategic direction for talent development programs, including the West Point AIAD (3 annually), DoD HBCU/MI STEM (10 annually), and GEMs summer internship programs (100+ annually), as well as ORISE Scientists (100+) conducting Combat Casualty Care Research. Ensures mentorship, research training, and professional growth under the guidance of government and military principal investigators at the USAISR, fostering the next generation of military medical researchers
Capability Area Manager -Wounds Research Portfolio
US Army - Military Infections Disease
03.2022 - Current
- Serves as the co-chair of the Wounds Portfolio Steering Committee
- Pre-proposal and Full-proposal programmatic review for a portfolio with an annual RDT&E budget of $21M. Provides the Director with an annual 1-N list of funding priorities based on programmatic alignment to the portfolio and impact mission.
- Annual In-process Reviews
- Review quarterly progress reports, for all active wound projects, and make recommendations on project redirection to the Director when needed
- Review and concur/nonconcur to program change request
- Provide the Director with continual portfolio direction while acting as an area expert in wound infection
Graduate Education Manager
71A Microbiology Consultant to the Army Surgeon Ge
01.2021 - Current
- Under the direction of the Consultant, develop and manage the graduate education program for all 71A Army Microbiologists
- Provide annual updates to the Program and Positions Requirements System to include program type, requirements for admissions and completion, certification producing programs, personnel strength projections, tuition cost, and utilization tours
- Provide quarterly updates on student academic progress and offer real-time support to ensure optimal outcomes. Develop targeted interventions for struggling students, leading to measurable improvements in academic achievement across various subjects.
- Current programs managed: PhD Microbiology (School of Choice or Uniformed Services University), Clinical Microbiology Internship (PhD required), Clinical Microbiology Fellowship (PhD required, Any of the AAM approved CPEP accrediting Hospitals in the U.S.), Clinical Pharmacology Fellowship (PhD required, Walter Reed Institute of research), FDA Fellowship (PhD Required), Biosecurity/Biosafety Fellowship (PhD Required), Program Management Acquisition Internship Program (PhD Required)
Chief Wound Infections
United States Army Institute of Surgical Research
Fort Sam Houston, TX
08.2021 - 03.2023
- Serves as the Chief of Wound Infections and consults throughout the ISR in the fields of microbiology, immunology, and Role 1 medical care for a staff of 15 military, 10 DA Civilians, and 23 Contract personnel
- Continually develop collaborations between USAISR, DOD, International, and Civilian partners to advance Medical Gap Solutions for wound contamination, colonization, anatomical and tissue disruption, deregulated inflammation, edema and microvascular dysfunction, thrombosis, tissue infection/sepsis, wound progression, and tissue necrosis that advance National Defense Strategy and Security Strategy focusing on LSCO operations
- Protocols: Primary Investigator: Evaluating Bacterial Growth in Stored Platelets -Effect of Refrigeration on Product Safety
- (Sep 2022 – Completed Dec 2023) H-21-019nH
- Associate Investigator: Development of a Porcine (Sus scrofa) Model of Sepsis Resulting from Extremity Injury and Associated Complications
- A-22-019
- Establishment of a Porcine (Sus scrofa domestica) Model of Sepsis to Evaluate Early Diagnostic Devices and Therapies
- A-20-009
- Establishment of a Porcine (Sus scrofa domestica) Model of Sepsis Resulting from Delayed Treatment of Penetrating Abdominal Wounds
- A-20-033
- Characterization of Soft Tissue Antibiotic Pharmacokinetics in a Porcine Model of Extremity Tourniquet Ischemia
- A-19-034
Long Term Health Education and Training
University of Maryland
Baltimore, MD
07.2017 - 06.2021
- Company Overview: University of Maryland – Baltimore, MD
- Ph.D
- Candidate in the Alan Cross Laboratory, Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine
- Area of Study: Microbiology and Immunology of Burn Injury and Sepsis with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice
- University of Maryland – Baltimore, MD
Chief, Endemic Disease and Biological Warfare Section
1st Area Medical Laboratory (AML)
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
10.2014 - 05.2017
- Company Overview: the only FORSCOM rapid-response field-confirmatory CBRN analytical laboratory
- Serve as Endemic Disease and Biological Warfare Section leader, 1st AML
- Provide vision, direction, mentoring, and training to the section’s 3 Non-commissioned Officers (NCOs) and 1 Soldier on leadership, microbiology, biological safety, laboratory operations, administration, personnel, logistics, maintenance, and resource management
- Additionally, charged with mentoring, managing, and assimilating all Professional Filler System (PROFIS) Officers for the Endemic Disease and Biological Warfare Section, including Microbiologists, Infectious Disease Physicians, and Veterinary Pathologists
- On order, deploy as a unit or task-organized team to provide theater-wide, field-confirmatory identification testing for endemic disease and biological weapon pathogens and training and consulting services in support of assigned force health protection and WMD missions
- The only FORSCOM rapid-response field-confirmatory CBRN analytical laboratory
Chief, Tappita Ebola Laboratory (Forward)
1st Area Medical Laboratory (AML)
Tappita, Liberia
11.2014 - 04.2015
- Serve as the Officer in Charge of the 1st Area Medical Laboratory’s Diagnostic Ebola Testing Laboratory in Tappita, Liberia
- Construct and develop a field laboratory capable of safe handling and processing Tier 1 Agents within 72 hours of arrival
- Conduct and monitor all clinical testing of suspected Ebola samples with a turnaround time of fewer than four hours
- Provide vision, direction, mentoring, and training to the section’s 2 NCOs and 3 Soldiers on leadership, microbiology, biological safety, laboratory operations, administration, personnel, logistics, maintenance, OPSEC, and resource management
- Compiled all laboratory data for submission to Theater Command, CDC, WHO, and Ministry of Health (Liberia)
Chief, Microbiology
Womack Army Medical Center
Fort Bragg, NC
01.2012 - 10.2014
- Serve as Chief, Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Biological Select Agents and Toxins Laboratory and Chief, Clinical Microbiology for Womack Army Medical Center
- Serves as Chief, Microbiology (clinical) Womack Army Medical Center responsible for supervising the delivery 130K annual patient test performed by six civilian staff members while managing a property book valued at over $850K
- Responsible for establishing and maintaining compliance with regulatory and accrediting agency (USDA, APHIS, Joint Commission, and CAP) standards while ensuring the safety and security of BSL-3 and 2 operations
- Additional duties: Chemical Hygiene Office, Infection Control Office, and Safety Officer
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Microbiology and Immunology (Sepsis and Burn Injury)
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD01-2021
Master of Art (MA) - Biomolecular Science
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT01-2011
Bachelor of Art (BA) - Biology with a minor in Chemistry
Our Lady of The Elms College
Chicopee, MA01-2010
Skills
- Leadership and Strategic Management
- Administration and Program Management
- Budget and Resource Management
- Regulation and Compliance Oversight
- Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
- Crisis and Risk Mitigation
- Clinical Investigation and Research Regulatory Oversight
- Army Medical Department Acquisition Officer
- Medical Research, Development, Test and Evaluation
Accomplishments
Edit
Primary Military Education (Leadership)
- Command and Generals Staff College (2023)
- MSC Company Grade Leader’s Course (2016)
- AMEDD Captain Career Course (2015)
- Basic Healthcare Administrator’s Course (2012)
- AMEDD Basic Officer Course (2012)
- Basic Non-Commissioned Officer’s Course (2008)
- Warrior Leader’s Course (2006)
Affiliations
- American Society for Microbiology
- American Burn Association
- Clinical Laboratory Management Association
- International Endotoxin and Innate Immunity Society
Grants And Fellowships
2017-2021, Long Term Health Education and Training (LTHET), US ARMY
Peer Reviewed Publications
- Kambouris A, Brammer J, Roussey H, Chen C, Cross AS., A combination of burn wound injury and Pseudomonas infection elicits unique gene expression that enhances bacterial pathogenicity., mBio, 10.1128/mbio.02454-23, 2023
- Brammer J, Verhoeve V, Driscoll T, Kambouris A, Rasko D, Cross AS, Gillespie J., Genome sequencing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain M2 illuminates traits of an opportunistic pathogen of burn wounds., G3 (Bethesda), 10.1093/g3journal/jkac073, 2022
- Brammer J, Wolf G, Baliban SM, Allen J, Choi M, Kambouris AR, Simon R, Fiskum G, Choa W, Lopez K, Miller C, Singh N, Cross AS., A Nonlethal Full-Thickness Flame Burn Produces a seroma Beneath the Forming Escar, Thereby Promoting Pseudomonas aeruginosa Sepsis in Mice., J Burn Care Res., 10.1093/jbcr/irab195, 2022
- Brammer J, Choi M, Baliban SM, Kambouris AR, Fiskum G, Chao W, Lopez K, Miller C, Al-Abed Y, Vogel SN, Simon R, Cross AS., A non-lethal murine flame burn model leads to a transient reduction in host defenses and enhanced susceptibility to lethal Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection., Infection and Immunity, 10.1128/IAI.00091-21, 2021
- Hegerle N, Choi M, Sinclair J, Amin MN, Ollivault-Shiflett M, Curtis B, Laufer R, Shridhar S, Brammer J, Toapanta F, Holder IA, Pasetti M, Less A, Tennant S, Cross, A, Simon R., Development of a broad spectrum glycoconjugate vaccine to prevent wound and disseminated infections with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa., PLoS ONE, 13, 9, e0203143, 2018
- Conrad T, Maxson T, Hall A, Minogue T, Brammer J, Johnson M, Layton R, Lo C, Li P, Chain P., Nanopore Sequencing and Edge Bioinformatics for Mobile Biodefense Laboratories., Journal of DoD Research & Engineering., Aug, 2018, 1, 2
- Cardile AP, Littell CT, Backlund MG, Heipertz RA, Brammer JA, Palmer SM, Vento TJ, Ortiz FA, Rosa WR, Major MJ, Garman PM., Deployment of the 1st area medical laboratory in a split-based configuration during the largest Ebola outbreak in history., Mil Med., 2016, 181, e1675–e1684
Awards
- 2 Army Meritorious Service Medals
- 3 Army Commendation Medals
- 4 Army Achievement Medals
- Army Humanitarian Service Medal
- Army Meritorious Unit Citation
- Army National Defense Service Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (with Arrowhead)
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Korean Defense Service Medal
- Armed Forces Service Medal
- Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Second Award)
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon (Third Award)
- Good Conduct Ribbons
- Combat Infantryman’s Badge
- Combat Parachutists (with Bronze Star Device)
National Conference Presentations
- ASM 2025 (Selected In-depth Symposium): Innovation Through Collaboration: Military, Government, and Civilian Partnerships in Addressing Microbial Treats
- MHSRS 2024 (Poster): Development of a Porcine Model of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Sepsis Resulting from Extremity Injury and Associated Complications
- MHSRS 2022 (Poster): Initial Development of Prolonged Field Care Relevant Large Animal Models of Sepsis
- MHSRS 2021 (Poster): A non-lethal full-thickness flame burn produces a seroma beneath the forming eschar thereby, promoting Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis in mice.
- MHSRS 2020 (Poster): A non-lethal murine flame burn model leads to a transient reduction in host defenses and enhanced susceptibility to lethal Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
Timeline
Executive Officer of the Research Directorate
United States Army Institute of Surgical Research
03.2023 - Current
Capability Area Manager -Wounds Research Portfolio
US Army - Military Infections Disease
03.2022 - Current
Chief Wound Infections
United States Army Institute of Surgical Research
08.2021 - 03.2023
Graduate Education Manager
71A Microbiology Consultant to the Army Surgeon Ge
01.2021 - Current
Long Term Health Education and Training
University of Maryland
07.2017 - 06.2021
Chief, Tappita Ebola Laboratory (Forward)
1st Area Medical Laboratory (AML)
11.2014 - 04.2015
Chief, Endemic Disease and Biological Warfare Section
1st Area Medical Laboratory (AML)
10.2014 - 05.2017
Chief, Microbiology
Womack Army Medical Center
01.2012 - 10.2014
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Microbiology and Immunology (Sepsis and Burn Injury)
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Master of Art (MA) - Biomolecular Science
Central Connecticut State University
Bachelor of Art (BA) - Biology with a minor in Chemistry
Our Lady of The Elms College