He has PhD training in zoology, evolutionary physiology and marine mammal biology. His extensive body of research includes investigation of the relationships between communities, primary care and respiratory viruses.

An expert in vaccines and immunization policy, Temte has served on the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), also acting as chair of its Evidence-Based Recommendation Work Group. Temte was the first family physician to chair ACIP, from 2012 to 2015.

In addition to helping craft national vaccine recommendations, Temte has also led extensive public health research and policy at the community level in Wisconsin. Temte and his team have earned multiple CDC grants for an ongoing study tracking absenteeism in the Oregon School District as a warning system for influenza outbreaks in the broader community.

In 2018, Temte received the American Academy of Family Physicians Public Health Award for his career commitment to the enhancement of public health in the United States and beyond.