LTC Kurt Jerke, Ph.D.

LTC Kurt Jerke is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Science & Engineering at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He teaches courses in biology.

He was commissioned in 1993 as an armor officer after graduating from New Mexico Military Institute with an associate degree in life science. LTC Jerke then completed a bachelor's in biology from Purdue University in 1996, a master’s in environmental science at Pace University, and a doctorate in microbiology and molecular genetics from Purdue University.

While serving in the Indiana Army National Guard, he deployed to Afghanistan as an infantry officer supporting the embedded team trainer mission. In 2007, LTC Jerke transferred to the active Army as a Medical Service Corps officer (71A, microbiologist) and held various positions in clinical and research settings. 

In 2017, he completed the Clinical and Public Health Microbiology training fellowship at the University of California-Los Angeles and is a diplomate of the American Board of Microbiology. He was most recently the chief and medical director of microbiology at Madigan Army Medical Center.