Biography

Dr. Berger is currently Interim Chair in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at USC’s School of Medicine.  He also holds positions as Senior Consultant in the School of Medicine and Research & Outreach Liaison within the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.  Dr. Berger obtained a BA in Biology in 1969 at SUNY Buffalo and a PhD in Biochemistry at Purdue University in 1974.  He conducted postdoctoral studies in molecular genetics at Cornell University and at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, where he began his career as an independent scientist.  Between 1986 and 2018, he was Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at USC, during which time he was appointed as George H. Bunch Sr. Chair of Science.  He served as Department Chair from 1996 - 2002 and was founding Director of the university’s Center for Colon Cancer Research from 2002 - 2018.  In 2018, Dr. Berger closed his research laboratory, retired from the tenured faculty, and was appointed George H. Bunch Sr. Chair Emeritus.  

Over the course of a 40-year career in research and teaching, Dr. Berger ran an extramurally funded research laboratory focused on a variety of topics in biochemistry and molecular genetics, including the evolution of mammalian gene expression, regulation of inflammation, and the therapy and prevention of cancer.  This research was generously supported by multiple grants from the NIH and resulted in ~140 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals.  Nearly two dozen graduate students and postdoctoral fellows received training and were mentored in Dr. Berger’s laboratory.  Since stepping down from his tenured academic post, Dr. Berger has become engaged in mentoring, advising, and bringing together faculty in development of novel interdisciplinary research programs.  Among these is the Center for Clinical and Translational Research, which was recently awarded a grant from the NIH to foster development of collaborative research among basic scientists, clinicians, and public health researchers.  

In addition to research, Dr. Berger was actively involved in community outreach efforts focused on awareness and screening of colorectal cancer, particularly within uninsured and medically underserved populations of South Carolina. With the fiscal support of several federal and state agencies, he led the design and implementation of education and evidence-based screening programs across the State 

Awards for Dr. Berger’s efforts in the laboratory and the community include the SC Governor’s Award in Science (2005), the Distinguished Service Award from the SC Gastroenterology Association (2009), election to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2010), the Laurel Award in Cancer Prevention from the Prevent Cancer Foundation (2012), and a Commendation (Senate Bill S.1260) from the South Carolina General Assembly (2018).