Randall H. Harris
Assistant Professor,
Department of Biology
School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Education
B.Sc., 1992
Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Ph.D., 2000
Microbiology, University of Alabama-Birmingham, AL
Post Doctoral Fellow, 2000-2003
Microbiology, Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
Positions and Honors
Professional Positions
2004 – Present Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC
Awards and Other Professional Activities
1) Awards
2003 Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Meeting Travel Award, Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Meeting, Iowa City, Iowa
2001-2003 Research Supplement for Underrepresented Minorities, NIDCD
1996-1998 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Minority Graduate Research Fellowship ASM
1997 Leo Pine Student Travel Grant, Southeast Branch Regional ASM Meeting, Helen, GA
1992- 1996 Minority Faculty Development Fellowship, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham
2) Member Societies/Committees
1994-present Member, American Society for Microbiology
1996- 1999 Committee Member, Microbiology Department Seminar Student Committee
3) Workshops
1995 R. Harris, S. E. Haydel, K. Ambrose, W. H. Benjamin, Jr . “Introduction to Research Tools in Molecular Biology” (included lecture and wet laboratory). Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
Publications
Refereed Journals
1. R. H. Harris, D. Wilk, C. L. Bevins, R. S. Munson, Jr, and L. O. Bakaletz. 2003. Identification and characterization of mucosal antimicrobial peptides expressed by the chinchilla airway. Journal of Biological Chemistry. Manuscript in revision.
2. R. H. Harris, N. Gitiban, J. A. Jurcisek, S. E. Mertz, R. K. Durbin, L. O. Bakaletz, and J. E. Durbin. 2003. Chinchilla and mouse models of upper respiratory tract infection by respiratory syncytial virus. Submitted to Journal of Infectious Diseases.
3. W. H. Benjamin, Jr, K. H. Lok, R. Harris, N. Brook, L. Bond, D. Mulcahy, N. Robinson, V. Pruitt, D. P. Kirkpatrick, M. E. Kimerling, and N. E. Dunlap. 2001. Identification of a contaminating Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain with a transposition of an IS6110 insertion element resulting in an altered spoligotype. J. Clin. Microbiol. 39: 1092-1096.
4. L. A. Ridgeway, G. S. Warner, P. Phillips, M. S. Forshag, D. C. McGiffin, J. W. Harden, R. H. Harris, W. H. Benjamin, Jr., G. L. Zorn, Jr., and N. E. Dunlap. 1996. Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to Recipients of Single Lung Transplants from the Same Donor. Am. J. Resp. Crit. Care Med. 153: 11661168.
5. N. E. Dunlap, R. H. Harris, W. H. Benjamin, Jr., J. W. Harden, and D. Hafner. 1995. Laboratory Contamination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cultures. Am. J. Resp. Crit. Care Med. 152:1702-1704.
Abstracts
6. R. H. Harris, C. L. Bevins, R. S. Munson, Jr., L. O. Bakaletz. 2003. Cloning and partial characterization of the cDNA for a chinchilla cathelicidin. 10th Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference, Iowa City, IA.
7. R. H. Harris, D. Wilk, S. Rawale, P. T. P. Kaumaya C. L. Bevins, R. S. Munson, Jr., L. O. Bakaletz. 2003. A homolog of human ?-defensin 3 is expressed in the upper airway of the chinchilla. 8th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Otitis Media, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
8. R. H. Harris, D. Wilk, S. Rawale, P. T. P. Kaumaya C. L. Bevins, R. S. Munson, Jr., L. O. Bakaletz. 2003. Production of recombinant chinchilla ?-defensin in Escherichia coli. 103rd General Meeting, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC.
9. R. H. Harris, C. L. Bevins, L. O. Bakaletz. Identification of a ?-defensin expressed in the chinchilla trachea and tongue. 2002. 102nd General Meeting, American Society for Microbiology, Salt Lake City, UT.
10. R. Harris, N. E. Dunlap. 1999. Identification and Preliminary Genetic Characterization in Mycobacterium smegmatis of a Two Component Regulatory System Present in Pathogenic Mycobacteria. 99th General Meeting, American Society for Microbiology, Chicago, IL.
11. R. Harris, W. H. Benjamin, Jr., and N. E. Dunlap. 1997. Transcriptional Regulation of the Sensor Gene, senX3, in Mycobacterium smegmatis by Changes in Culture Media. Southeastern Branch Regional ASM Meeting, Helen, GA.
12. S. E. Haydel, R. Harris, W. H. Benjamin, Jr. N. E. Dunlap. 1997. Identification of a Two Component Regulatory System in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.. 97th General Meeting, American Society for Microbiology, Miami Beach, FL.
13. S. E. Haydel, R. Harris, W. H. Benjamin, Jr., N. E. Dunlap. 1996. Identification of Sensor Gene Fragments in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. IBC’s Biennial International Conference: Mycobacterial Infection, Washington, DC.
14. R. Harris, Y. Haung, S. E. Haydel, W. H. Benjamin, Jr. N. E. Dunlap. 1996. Construction of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis Library and Cloning of Response Regulator Genes. IBC’s Biennial International Conference: Mycobacterial Infection, Washington, DC.
15. R. Harris, S. Haydel, W. H. Benjamin, Jr., And N. E. Dunlap. 1995. Identification of Response Regulators in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 95th General Meeting, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC.
16. R. Harris, W. H. Benjamin, Jr., J. Harden, D. Hafner, and N. E. Dunlap. 1994. Laboratory Contamination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cultures. American Federation for Clinical Research National Meeting. Baltimore, MD.
Research Support
1. USC Office of Research: Biomedical Research Initiative. June 1, 2004 - May 31, 2005. “Development of a Cooperative Planning Grant for Comprehensive MMI/CCP (U56) Application to NCI”. The objective of this University of South Carolina Biomedical Research Initiative proposal is to strengthen and solidify specific project areas that will allow us to submit a highly competitive proposal to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for a Cooperative Planning Grant for Comprehensive Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership (U56). Role in the project: Co-P.I., P.I.: Kim E. Creek.
2. Water Environmental Research Foundation: “Detection of Disturbances in Waste Water Treatment Streams” $30,000 Sub-contract. The objective of the project is to develop a battery of candidate chemicals and organisms that might be used as a bioterrorism means of perturbing municipal waste water treatment streams. A system to detect such contaminants is to be developed and tested. Role on project: Co-Investigator, select candidate contaminants via literature and database review. 10 % effort, No overlap.
