Dr. Curtis Harris is a distinguished leader in molecular oncology and cancer epidemiology with a career spanning over five decades at the National Cancer Institute. He currently serves as Head of the Molecular Genetics and Carcinogenesis Section and Chief of the Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis at the Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH. After earning his BA in zoology and MD from the University of Kansas, he completed his medical oncology training at the National Cancer Institute and Washington Veterans Hospital. Since 1981, Dr. Harris has led groundbreaking research initiatives that have transformed our understanding of cancer etiology and molecular pathogenesis. He also maintains an academic appointment as a lecturer in medicine and oncology at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
Dr. Harris is internationally renowned for his pioneering studies on gene environment interactions in human carcinogenesis, particularly his landmark discovery of the link between aflatoxin B1 exposure and specific TP53 tumor suppressor gene mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma patients from Qidong, China. His laboratory was among the first to document this critical molecular pathway connecting environmental carcinogens to genetic alterations in cancer development. Additionally, his research revealed that childhood exposure to secondhand smoke increases lung cancer risk among never smokers, especially those with specific genetic variations in the MBL2 gene. With over 700 peer reviewed publications and 30 patents to his name, Dr. Harris's work on environmental carcinogenesis, cancer risk assessment, and molecular genetics has fundamentally reshaped the field of cancer epidemiology and prevention.
His transformative contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards including the AACR American Cancer Society Award for Research Excellence in Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention and the Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal. Dr. Harris has mentored generations of cancer researchers, earning the National Cancer Institute's Outstanding Mentor Award for his dedication to training the next generation of scientific leaders. Currently focusing on Precision Medicine of Cancer and Aging, his laboratory continues to investigate the environmental, genetic, and epigenomic causes of human carcinogenesis with implications for cancer prevention strategies. Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Harris has demonstrated remarkable intellectual breadth as a co author of the international spy novel High Hand under the pseudonym Curtis J. James, showcasing his commitment to scientific communication and public engagement. His enduring legacy continues to influence cancer research worldwide through his seminal contributions to understanding the molecular basis of cancer development.
