Melanie Harris

Melanie Harris is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Chair for Academic Programs in the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She holds an M.S. in Biology and dual B.A. degrees in Anthropology and French from UNC Charlotte. Her expertise centers on microbiology education and laboratory instruction, with a focus on non-major science education and pathogenic microbiology. She coordinates multiple microbiology laboratory courses and has authored educational resources for laboratory instruction. Harris received the 2014 B.E.S.T. Outstanding Faculty Award for her teaching contributions.

Her professional memberships include the American Society for Microbiology. She teaches courses ranging from introductory biology to specialized microbiology topics, including Food Microbiology and Pathogenic Bacteriology Laboratory. Her publications emphasize practical laboratory manuals and study guides for undergraduate learners.

Harris oversees laboratory curricula and coordinates lab sections for courses such as BIOL 2259L, 4250L, and 4256L. Her work integrates hands-on learning with theoretical concepts in microbiology, fostering student engagement in laboratory settings.