Leonard Harris

Leonard Harris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering within the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas. His research focuses on cancer systems biology, with expertise in computational modeling and simulation of complex intracellular signaling pathways and cell-cell interactions in tumors. Working closely with experimental collaborators, his lab develops comprehensive, mechanistic models of molecular pathways underlying non-genetic mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer cells.

Education:

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Postdoctoral Associate, Computational & Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• Ph.D., Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University
• B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder

Dr. Harris's research centers on cancer systems biology with a focus on phenotypic plasticity and non-genetic heterogeneity in anticancer drug response. His lab develops multiscale models of intracellular signaling pathways and cell-cell interactions to understand tumor heterogeneity. A key aspect of his work examines intrinsic stochasticity in cell fate decision making and its role in therapeutic resistance. His computational approaches aim to create in silico platforms for virtual anticancer drug screens to identify novel molecular targets and improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Analysis of Dr. Harris's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on computational approaches to understand tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance mechanisms. His work integrates mathematical modeling with experimental data to dissect genetic, epigenetic, and stochastic sources of variability in cancer cell populations. His research spans multiple cancer types, with particular emphasis on melanoma and lung cancer, examining how non-genetic mechanisms contribute to therapeutic resistance. The publications demonstrate progression from foundational computational methods to increasingly sophisticated models of tumor dynamics and drug response.

Scientific Awards:

• NIH/NCI Transition Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K22)
• National Library of Medicine Biomedical Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Semiconductor Research Corporation Graduate Fellowship

Dr. Harris serves as principal investigator for multiple research grants focused on cancer systems biology and computational oncology. His lab receives funding from the National Institutes of Health, including the NCI K22 award supporting his transition to independence. His research integrates experimental and computational approaches through collaborations with wet-lab researchers at the University of Arkansas and other institutions. Current projects examine tumor-induced bone disease, phenotypic plasticity in small cell lung cancer, and mechanisms of drug tolerance in melanoma.

Dr. Harris leads a computational cancer biology lab that develops and applies advanced modeling techniques to understand tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. His team works at the intersection of computational biology, systems pharmacology, and cancer biology, creating models that bridge molecular, cellular, and population scales. The lab collaborates extensively with experimental groups to validate model predictions and generate new hypotheses about cancer progression and therapeutic response.