معرفی
Dr. Breanna N. Harris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University, where she leads an integrative research program focused on stress physiology and its impacts on behavior, reproduction, and health. She holds a Ph.D. in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology from the University of California, Riverside (2007-2012) and a B.S. in Marine Biology from Ohio University (2001-2005). Her work bridges comparative biology, behavioral endocrinology, and human health applications, with notable contributions to understanding the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis across species.
Education:
- Ph.D., Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside (2007-2012)
- B.S., Marine Biology, Ohio University (2001-2005)
Research Interests:
Dr. Harris's research centers on how stressors influence organismal function and life-history trade-offs. She employs a comparative approach, studying species ranging from crabs and sharks to mice and humans, to investigate the behavioral and physiological consequences of stress-response plasticity. Key themes include the role of the HPA axis in health and disease, the impact of sensory perception and genotype on stress responses, and the translation of stress into functional outcomes like cognition and reproduction.
Scientific Awards:
- Inducted into the TTU Teaching Academy (2019)
Outreach and Education:
Dr. Harris is deeply committed to science communication and education. She co-curated the NSF-funded museum exhibit Why Frogs Don’t Get Fat: Predators, Fear, and Feeding in the Wild at the Museum of Texas Tech and developed educational resources tied to the film To Dust. Her lab actively involves undergraduate students in research, fostering the next generation of scientists.
Teaching:
- Biology 4301-D79: Human Reproduction and Sexual Behavior (online)
- Biology 4301-079: Peer Mentoring in Human Physiology
- Zoology 2404: Anatomy and Physiology II
- Biology 4301-079: Brain, Behavior and Hormones
