[1] From 1983 to 2001, he served in the United States Navy, reaching the rank of commander and principal investigator at the Naval Medical Research Center.
[6] During that time, he also served as an attending transplant surgeon at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
These contributions have primarily been in the development and use of novel immunosuppressive agents and regimens, and in novel approaches toward immune monitoring in transplant recipients.
Kirk directs the Laboratory of Immune Management in the Department of Surgery at Duke University School of Medicine.
In recognition for his scientific contributions, Kirk has been elected into professional societies and has been honored with awards over the years, a few of which are listed below: