Kit is the Tarr Family Professor of Bioengineering and Applied Physics in the Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and a Core Faculty Member at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. Parker researches cardiac cell biology and tissue engineering, traumatic brain injury, and biological applications of micro- and nanotechnologies; additional projects span topics as diverse as adaptive camouflage, lightweight body armor, wound dressings, and counterinsurgency. Parker is a decorated LTC in the United States Army reserve component and has served two combat tours in Afghanistan. He was also selected to serve on the scientific advisory Gray Team; as the operations officer of this team he completed two additional missions to Afghanistan in 2011 to assess and report on issues pertaining to combat casualties and their care. He has served on active duty in the Science and Technology Directorate at Special Operations Command and in an advisory role to the White House National Security Staff.