Kathryn Harris, Ph.D. Rbp
About Kathryn Harris, Ph.D. Rbp
Kathryn Harris, Ph.D., Rbp, serves as the Senior Outreach and Education Specialist at the NIH Office of Science Policy, where she has worked since 2004. She is a founding member and the first president of the Midwest Biosafety Network and has received the 2019 ABSA International Arnold G. Wedum Distinguished Achievement Award for her contributions to biological safety.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Kathryn Harris has served as a Senior Outreach and Education Specialist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Science Policy since 2004. In this role, she develops regional and national programs focused on stakeholder relations, education, and outreach regarding the oversight and safe conduct of research involving recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Additionally, she conducts evaluations of Institutional Biosafety Committee programs as a contractor for the NIH Office of Science Policy.
Education and Expertise
Kathryn Harris earned her Ph.D. in Biology from Cornell University, where she studied from 1996 to 2000. Prior to that, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bangor University, completing her studies from 1991 to 1994. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her expertise in biosafety and biosecurity policy, which she advises on at the national level.
Background
Before her tenure at the NIH, Kathryn Harris was a Ph.D. student at Cornell University from 1996 to 2000. She has been actively involved in biosafety initiatives and was a founding member and the first president of the Midwest Biosafety Network (MABioN). Her background in biology and her extensive experience in biosafety have shaped her career in research oversight.
Achievements
Kathryn Harris received the 2019 ABSA International Arnold G. Wedum Distinguished Achievement Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to biological safety. This accolade highlights her commitment to promoting safe practices in life sciences research and her influence in the field of biosafety.
Teaching and Workshops
Kathryn Harris conducts workshops focused on Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) and the effective governance and oversight of life sciences research. Her teaching efforts aim to enhance understanding and implementation of biosafety practices among stakeholders in the research community.