His thesis research on the coldest known brown dwarfs (very low mass stars incapable of hydrogen fusion) led to the designation of a new stellar spectral class, the T dwarfs. He continues his observational work on low mass stars and brown dwarfs using facilities around the world, including UC's Lick and Keck Observatories.Professor Burgasser is a strong advocate for equity and inclusion in the physical sciences, and has served as chair of the American Astronomical Society Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy and currently serves as a campus LEAD Fellow and member of the UCSD Black Studies Executive Committee. In 2014, he was awarded the UCSD Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action and Diversity Award and UCSD Outstanding Mentor Award. He currently serves as a AAS Vice President.