Curt Harris

Dr. Curt Harris is an Associate Professor and Director of the Institute for Disaster Management (IDM) at the University of Georgia's College of Public Health. He holds concurrent appointments in Health Policy & Management and Epidemiology & Biostatistics. His roles include overseeing undergraduate and graduate educational programs, directing IDM's research and outreach initiatives, and serving as a liaison between the college administration and external partners.

Dr. Harris earned a BS in Chemistry from Georgia College and State University and a PhD in Toxicology from UGA. His career at UGA spans over a decade, encompassing staff and faculty roles before becoming IDM Director. His research focuses on disaster management, public health preparedness, and emergency response systems, with recent emphasis on healthcare workforce resilience, nuclear event response, and pandemic preparedness.

His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to disaster challenges, including nuclear fallout modeling, CNA staffing shortages, and integrating machine learning in burn patient outcomes. Dr. Harris leads major projects like the South Carolina Low Country Emergency Preparedness Program and the Southern Regional Disaster Response System. His work has been featured in media outlets like NPR, CBS46, and the Huffington Post.

Dr. Harris teaches courses such as Introduction to Disaster Management and Public Health Crises and Disaster Management. He advocates for disaster education as a core competency in public health curricula. His professional service includes coordinating the CPH graduate program and advising on emergency medical protocols.