Harold Burton came to UB in 1987 after 3-½ years as a post-doctoral research fellow in the laboratory of Dr. John Faulkner in the University of Michigan Medical School. His research there focused on regeneration of blood vessels in damaged muscle tissue. In 1995, Burton assumed the directorship of the undergraduate Exercise Science Program and held that position until 2006. During that time the program underwent an expansion in the number of course offerings as well as an increase in the number of tracks. As a result the program attracted students with varied interests in the health sciences and program enrollment increased each year until 2006. Program enrollment is now capped at 120, with 180 to 200 students applying each year.

• PhD, cardiovascular physiology, University of Guelph, Canada, 1983
• MS, human kinetics, University of Windsor, Canada, 1979
• BS, zoology, University of Western Ontario, Canada, 1974
  

• University at Buffalo Distinguished Service Award, 2007
• School of Public Health and Health Professions Teacher of the Year, 2011
• Milton Plesur Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence, 2011