FACULTY, GEORGIA PREVENTION INSTITUTE
Associate Professor Medicine, Pediatrics, Physiology & Graduate Studies
Director, Laboratory of Integrative Vascular and Exercise Physiology (www.LIVEP.net)
Dr. Harris's present research interests involve the interaction among oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction as they relate to cardiovascular disease. He is interested in the endothelium, a mono-layer of cells that lines all the blood vessels. Specifically, Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a functional non-invasive bio-assay of endothelial function (a manifestation of cardiovascular disease) is measured in conjunction with various inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in response to different systemic perturbations (i.e. exercise, high-fat meal, oral antioxidants, oral BH4, etc). Endothelial dysfunction is observed in many clinical populations. Over the next several years, he plans to pursue research questions: 1) identifying the mechanisms of oxidative stress in various clinical populations (i.e., COPD, Obesity, and Diabetes), 2) investigating the cardio-protective role of estrogen following various perturbations (i.e. exercise, high-fat meal, antioxidant therapy, etc.), and 3) identifying an acceptable methodology of the traditional FMD test that will ultimately be embraced clinically.
Education
Postdoctoral Training
University of California, San Diego, California 2007-2009
Interventional Vascular Physiology
PhD
Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 2007
Clinical Exercise Physiology
MS
California State University Hayward, California 2002
Exercise Physiology
BS
San Diego State University, San Diego, California 1999
Kinesiology; Fitness, Nutrition and Health
Certification
American College of Sports Medicine
Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP)
Projects
1R21DK100783-01
National Institutes of Health (Harris, PI)
May 2014 through April 2016
Role: Principal Investigator
The major goal of this project is to determine the effect of PDE5 inhibition on vascular
function and exercise capacity in patients with CF.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals IIS Grant (Harris, PI)
July 2014 through June 2016
Role: Principal Investigator
The major goal of this project is to document exercise capacity and vascular function
in homozygous DF508del patients with CF before (Phase 1) and following (phase 2) the
launch of ivacaftor/lumacaftor combination therapy.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics (Harris, PI)
January 2015 through December 2017
Role: Principal Investigator
The major goal of this project is to identify oxidative stress as a mechanism that
contributes to vascular dysfunction and exercise intolerance in CF.
Role: Principal Investigator
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics (Harris, PI)
January 2015 through December 2017
Role: Principal Investigator
The major goal of this project is to identify oxidative stress as a mechanism that
contributes to vascular dysfunction and exercise intolerance in CF.
5P01HL069999 NIH/NHLBI (Harshfield, PI)
July 2014 through June 2019
Role: Co-Investigator on all 3 projects (45% FTE)
The major objectives of this program are to 1) define mechanisms that promote hypertension
induced by stress, 2) determine the regulation of these mechanisms in high-risk populations,
3) translate findings between animal and human studies, and 4) translate our research
into patient populations.
BioMarin Investigator Sponsored Trial Research Award (Harris, PI)
July 2010 through June 2014
Role: Principal Investigator
Biomarin has agreed to supply the study drug (BH4) for the above mentioned protocol.
BioMarin Investigator Sponsored Trial Research Award (Harris, PI)
July 2012 through June 2016
Role: Principal Investigator
Biomarin has agreed to supply the study drug (BH4) for the above mentioned protocol.
Honors & Awards
2017
Exemplary Teaching Award, Augusta University
2015
Exemplary Teaching Award, Augusta University
2014
Outstanding Young Basic Science Faculty Award, Augusta University
2014
Emerging Scientist Award, Augusta University Research Institute
2012
Achieved Fellowship for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
2011
Clinical Science Young Investigator Award, American Physiological Society, CV section
2011
Outstanding Young Clinical Science Faculty Award, Georgia Health Sciences University
2010
National Institutes of Health, Loan Repayment Program Award
Select Publications
Campus (HS, 1707)
1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912
706-721-5998 706-721-7150
ryharris@augusta.edu
