Dennis McGurk

Dennis McGurk is an expert in military medical research and development with over 15 years performing research and leading research programs. He is dedicated to expanding RTI’s work with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). With an academic background in research and health psychology, he focuses on managing medical research and development programs that serve the health and performance needs of the military population. He also serves as Director for the North Carolina Center for Optimizing Military Performance (NC-COMP)—a consortium that RTI is a founding plankholder of.

Dr. McGurk joined RTI in 2020 after retiring from the Army following a 25+ year career, predominantly as a Research Psychologist. Key roles while in the Army include being the Director of the Military Operational Medicine Research Program (MOMRP) for the U.S. Army Medical Research & Development Command (MRDC). In this role, Dennis led efforts to integrate all DoD wearable research as well as managing research programs in Environmental Health, Injury Prevention, Physiological Health and Psychological Health.

He held several other key positions in military medicine, serving as the Army Medical Command representative to the Army Futures Command (AFC); Director of the Medical Systems Office, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics & Technology (ASA(ALT)); and Acting Director of MRDC Plans, Programs, Analyses and Evaluation (PPA&E). In this last role, Dennis led the team that shaped the military medical investment for the development and delivery of healthcare solutions across Combat Casualty Care, Military Operational Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Medical Modeling/Simulation.

Dr McGurk conducted several theater-wide mental health assessments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He holds a Level III certification in DoD Acquisition Science & Technology (S&T).