Barry is a Member of the National Academy of Sciences USA, a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, and a Colorado State University Distinguished Professor who is known internationally for his work and leadership in infectious diseases, most notably mosquito-borne diseases. He has more than 30 years of experience in the areas of epidemiology, surveillance and control of vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, yellow fever, West Nile fever, and LaCrosse encephalitis.