Dr. Dennis K. Burns, MD

Expert Publications

• Mouse models of Alzheimer's disease: a quest for plaques and tangles.
• Neurofibromas in NF1: Schwann cell origin and role of tumor environment.
• Mice defective in the mismatch repair gene Msh2 show increased predisposition to UVB radiation-induced skin cancer.
• Cytology of subependymoma.
• Fatal type 3 adenoviral pneumonia in immunocompetent adult identical twins.
• Gene transduction in skin cells: preventing cancer in xeroderma pigmentosum mice.
• HIV-1 Tat interactions with p300 and PCAF transcriptional coactivators inhibit histone acetylation and neurotrophin signaling through CREB.
• Early inactivation of p53 tumor suppressor gene cooperating with NF1 loss induces malignant astrocytoma.
• Neurocytoma-like neoplasm of the thoracic spine in a 15-month-old child presenting with diffuse leptomeningeal dissemination and communicating hydrocephalus. Case report.
• Induction of abnormal proliferation by nonmyelinating schwann cells triggers
• Pten haploinsufficiency accelerates formation of high-grade astrocytomas.
• Malignant astrocytomas originate from neural stem/progenitor cells in a somatic tumor suppressor mouse model.
• Neuroanatomic profile of polyglutamine immunoreactivity in Huntington disease brains.
• Cell of origin and microenvironment contribution for NF1-associated dermal neurofibromas.
• Autoantibody profiles in two patients with non-autoimmune muscle disease implicate a role for gliadin autoreactivity.

Media Releases

Get to know Pathologist Dr. Dennis K. Burns, who serves patients in Texas.

A triple board-certified pathologist, Dr. Burns is a Distinguished Teaching Professor (Emeritus) within the Department of Pathology at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Since joining the faculty in 1984, he has divided his time between undergraduate and graduate medical education, collaborative research with multiple UT Southwestern laboratories and clinical neuropathology, with special emphasis on neuromuscular pathology. 

“Teaching has always been a source of deep satisfaction and inspiration to me. It is a privilege to be able to share knowledge and, perhaps more importantly, to inspire others to actively engage in the learning process. This takes on special significance for me when I remember that those individuals that I have the privilege of teaching are those who will provide medical care for other human beings. The benefits of teaching are reciprocal, in that teaching, more than any other activity, inspires me to remain a life-long learner” expressed Dr. Burns. 

Pertaining to his educational background, he received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Baylor University in 1974 and his medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School in 1978. He then performed his residencies in internal medicine & anatomic and clinical pathology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in 1978, 1983, and 1985, respectively. 

An expert in his field, Dr. Burns is board-certified in anatomic and clinical pathology & neuropathology by the American Board of Pathology (ABPath). The mission of the ABPath is to promote the health of the public and advance the practice and science of pathology by establishing voluntary certification standards and assessing the qualifications of those seeking to practice the specialty of pathology. 

Pathology is a branch of medical science that involves the study and diagnosis of disease through the examination of surgically removed organs, tissues, bodily fluids, and in some cases, the whole body. Pathologists are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and management of diseases by laboratory methods.

Having received multiple teaching awards for his work in medical education, Dr. Burns has been the recipient of Texas Super Doctors Hall of Fame (2020), Minnie Stevens Piper Professor (2016), University of Texas Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award (2016), Texas Super Doctors (2015-2020), UT Southwestern Medical School Academic Marshal (2010-2018), Best Doctors in America (2009-2020), Pre-Clinical Distinguished Educator Award (2006), Alpha Omega Alpha (1977), State of Texas Merit Scholarship (1975), Robert A. Welch Foundation Merit Scholarship (1972-1974), Medical Student Faculty Teaching Awards (1984, 1985, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2014, 2016, 2017), and Vernie A. Stembridge Faculty Teaching Award (1993, 2015).

In his time away from work, he is an avid fly fisherman, fly tyer and student of history, and cherishes time with his family.