Dr. Ryan A Harris

 
profile image

  Ryan A Harris, PhD, CEP, FACSM 

FACULTY, GEORGIA PREVENTION INSTITUTE
 Associate Professor Medicine, Pediatrics, Physiology & Graduate Studies 
Director, Laboratory of Integrative Vascular and Exercise Physiology (www.LIVEP.net) 

Contact Information

Dr. Harris's present research interests involve the interaction among oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction as they relate to cardiovascular disease. He is interested in the endothelium, a mono-layer of cells that lines all the blood vessels. Specifically, Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a functional non-invasive bio-assay of endothelial function (a manifestation of cardiovascular disease) is measured in conjunction with various inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in response to different systemic perturbations (i.e. exercise, high-fat meal, oral antioxidants, oral BH4, etc). Endothelial dysfunction is observed in many clinical populations. Over the next several years, he plans to pursue research questions: 1) identifying the mechanisms of oxidative stress in various clinical populations (i.e., COPD, Obesity, and Diabetes), 2) investigating the cardio-protective role of estrogen following various perturbations (i.e. exercise, high-fat meal, antioxidant therapy, etc.), and 3) identifying an acceptable methodology of the traditional FMD test that will ultimately be embraced clinically.

Education

Postdoctoral Training
University of California, San Diego, California 2007-2009
Interventional Vascular Physiology

PhD
Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 2007
Clinical Exercise Physiology

MS
California State University Hayward, California 2002
Exercise Physiology

BS 
San Diego State University, San Diego, California 1999
Kinesiology; Fitness, Nutrition and Health

Certification
American College of Sports Medicine
Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP)

Projects

“Role of blood flow and vascular function on exercise capacity in cystic fibrosis”

1R21DK100783-01  
National Institutes of Health (Harris, PI)                                            
May 2014 through April 2016
Role: Principal Investigator

The major goal of this project is to determine the effect of PDE5 inhibition on vascular function and exercise capacity in patients with CF.

“Longitudinal assessment of exercise capacity and vascular function in patients with CF”

Vertex Pharmaceuticals IIS Grant (Harris, PI)                                                                  
July 2014 through June 2016
Role: Principal Investigator

The major goal of this project is to document exercise capacity and vascular function in homozygous DF508del patients with CF before (Phase 1) and following (phase 2) the launch of ivacaftor/lumacaftor combination therapy.

“Mechanism for vascular dysfunction and exercise intolerance in CF”

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics (Harris, PI)                                                        
January 2015 through December 2017
Role: Principal Investigator

The major goal of this project is to identify oxidative stress as a mechanism that contributes to vascular dysfunction and exercise intolerance in CF.
Role: Principal Investigator

“Mechanism for vascular dysfunction and exercise intolerance in CF”

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics (Harris, PI)                                                        
January 2015 through December 2017
Role: Principal Investigator

The major goal of this project is to identify oxidative stress as a mechanism that contributes to vascular dysfunction and exercise intolerance in CF.

“Stress Related Mechanisms of Hypertension Risk”

5P01HL069999 NIH/NHLBI (Harshfield, PI)                                                                      
July 2014 through June 2019 
Role: Co-Investigator on all 3 projects (45% FTE)

The major objectives of this program are to 1) define mechanisms that promote hypertension induced by stress, 2) determine the regulation of these mechanisms in high-risk populations, 3) translate findings between animal and human studies, and 4) translate our research into patient populations.

“Regulation of Nitric Oxide Bioavailability in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease:A Mechanistic Approach”

BioMarin Investigator Sponsored Trial Research Award (Harris, PI)                                    
July 2010 through June 2014
Role: Principal Investigator

Biomarin has agreed to supply the study drug (BH4) for the above mentioned protocol.

“Lung, Vascular and Exercise Function in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis”

BioMarin Investigator Sponsored Trial Research Award (Harris, PI)                                    
July 2012 through June 2016
Role: Principal Investigator 

Biomarin has agreed to supply the study drug (BH4) for the above mentioned protocol.

Honors & Awards

2017 
Exemplary Teaching Award, Augusta University

2015 
Exemplary Teaching Award, Augusta University

2014
Outstanding Young Basic Science Faculty Award, Augusta University

2014
Emerging Scientist Award, Augusta University Research Institute

2012
Achieved Fellowship for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

2011
Clinical Science Young Investigator Award, American Physiological Society, CV section

2011
Outstanding Young Clinical Science Faculty Award, Georgia Health Sciences University

2010
National Institutes of Health, Loan Repayment Program Award

Select Publications

Pub Med

  1. Tucker, M.A., R. Crandall, N. Seigler, P. Rodriguez-Miguelez, K.T. McKie, C. Forseen, J. Thomas, A. Harris. A single bout of maximal exercise improves lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. In Press.  *Corresponding Author
  2. Jeong, J.H., Zhu, R.A. Harris, Y. Dong, S. Su, M.S. Tingen, G. Kapuku, J.S. Pollock, D.M. Pollock, G.A. Harshfield, X. Wang. Ethnic Differences in Nighttime Melatonin and Nighttime Blood Pressure: A Study in European Americans and African Americans. American Journal of Hypertension, In Press.
  3. Derella, C.C., N. Lee. R. Crandall, M. Blackburn, J. Looney, A Mangieri, P. Rodriguez-Miguelez, M.A. Tucker, A. Harris. Assessment of endothelial function is reproducible in patients with cystic fibrosis.  Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, In Press.  *Corresponding Author
  4. Tucker, M.A., B. Fox, N. Seigler, P. Rodriguez-Miguelez, J. Looney, J. Thomas, K.T. McKie, C. Forseen, G.W. Davison, A. Harris. Endothelial dysfunction in cystic fibrosis: Role of Oxidative Stress. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.  Article ID 1629638, 2019 *Corresponding Author
  5. Jeong, J., N. Lee, M.A. Tucker, P. Rodriguez-Miguelez, J. Looney, J. Thomas, C.C. Derella, A. El-Marakby, J. Musall, J.C. Sullivan, K.T. McKie, C. Forseen, G.W. Davison, A. Harris. Tetrahydrobiopterin Improves Endothelial Function in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis. Journal of Applied Physiology. 126: 60-66, 2019. *Corresponding Author
  6. Tucker, M.A., N. Seigler, P. Rodriguez-Miguelez, J. Looney, R.H. Crandall, C. Forseen, K.T. McKie, A. Harris. Exercise testing in patients with cystic fibrosis – Importance of ventilatory parameters.  European Journal of Applied Physiology. 119: 227-234, 2019. *Corresponding Author
  7. Rodriguez-Miguelez, P., N. Lee, M.A. Tucker, G. Csanyi, K.T. McKie, C. Forseen, A. Harris.  Sildenafil improves vascular endothelial function in patients with cystic fibrosis.  American Journal of Physiology – Hearth and Circulatory Physiology. 315: H1486-H1494, 2018. *Corresponding Author
  8. Rodriguez-Miguelez, P., J. Gregg, N. Lee, L. Bass, J. Thomas, J.S. Pollock, J.C. Sullivan, T. Dillard, A. Harris. Acute tetrahydrobiopterin improves endothelial function in patients with COPD.  Chest. 154(3): 597-606, 2018. *Corresponding Author
  9. Ray, S.C, B. Baban, M.A. Tucker, A.J Seaton, K.C. Chang1, E. Mannon1, J. Sun, B. Patel1, K. Wilson, J. Musall, Ocasio, D. Irsik, J. Filosa1, J.C. Sullivan, R.A. Harris, P.M. O’Connor. Oral NaHCO3 activates the anti-inflammatory reflex via fragile connections to the splenic mesothelium.  The Journal of Immunology. 200(10): 3568-3586, 2018.
  10. Benson, T.W., N.L. Weintraub, H.W. Kim, N.Seigler, S. Kumar, J. Pye, T. Horimatsu, R. Pellenberg, D.W. Stepp, R. Lucas, V.Y. Bogdanov, S.E. Litwin, J.E. Brittain, A. Harris. A single high fat meal provokes pathological erythrocyte remodeling and increases myeloperoxidase levels: Implications for acute coronary syndrome.  Laboratory Investigation. 98(10): 1300-1310, 2018. 
  11. Rodriguez-Miguelez, P., M.L Erickson, K.K McCully, A. Harris. Rebuttal to Skeletal muscle oxidative capacity is not altered in cystic fibrosis patients. Journal of Physiology. 595(5):1429, 2017. *Corresponding Author
  12. Rodriguez-Miguelez, P., M.L Erickson, K.K McCully, A. Harris. CrossTalk proposal: Skeletal muscle oxidative capacity is altered in patients with cystic fibrosis. J Physiol. 595(5): 1423-1425, 2017. *Corresponding Author
  13. Shah, Y, L. Bass, G.W. Davison, N. Seigler, J.S. Pollock, J. Thomas, A. Harris. BH4 improves postprandial endothelial function following a high-fat meal in man and post-menopausal women.  Menopause. 24(5): 555-562, 2017. *Corresponding Author
  14. Thom, N.J, A.R. Early, B. Hunt, A. Harris, M.P. Herring. Eating and endothelial function: A meta-analysis of the acute effects of meal consumption on flow-mediated dilation.  Obesity Reviews. 17: 1080-1090, 2016.
  15. Rodriguez-Miguelez, P., J. Thomas, N. Seigler, R. Crandall, K.T. McKie, C. Forseen, A. Harris. Evidence of microvascular dysfunction in patients with cystic fibrosis. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.  310: H1479-H1485, 2016. *Corresponding Author
  16. Rodriguez-Miguelez, P., N. Seigler, A. Harris. Ultrasound assessment of endothelial function: a technical guideline of the flow-mediated dilation test. Journal of Visualized Experiments. Video 54011, 2016.  http://www.jove.com/video/54011/ultrasound-assessment-endothelial-function-technical-guideline-flow  *Invited Manuscript and Corresponding Author
  17. Rodriguez-Miguelez, P., N. Seigler, L. Bass, T. Dillard, A. Harris. Assessments of endothelial function and arterial stiffness are reproducible in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 10: 1977-1986, 2015. *Corresponding Author
  18. McClean, C., A. Harris, M. Brown, J.C. Brown, G. Davison. Effects of exercise intensity on post exercise endothelial function and oxidative stress. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. Article ID 723679, 2015.
  19. Erickson, M. L., N. Seigler, K.T. McKie, K.K McCully,A. Harris. Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Capacity in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.  Experimental Physiology. 100.5: 545-552, 2015. *Corresponding Author and Editors Choice
  20. Fielding, J., L. Brantley, N. Seigler, K.T. McKie, G.W. Davison, A. Harris. Oxygen uptake kinetics and exercise capacity in children with cystic fibrosis.  Pediatric Pulmonology. 50(7): 647-654, 2015. *Corresponding Author
  21. Sullivan, J.C., M. Zimmerman, A. Harris. Differences in Angiotensin (1-7) between men and women.  American Journal of Physiology – Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 308: H1171- H 1176, 2015. *Corresponding Author
  22. Roberts, C.K., M.M. Lee, S.L. Krell, M. Katiraie, M.L. Chronley, C.S. Oh, V. Ribas, A. Harris, A.L. Hevener, D.M. Croymans. Strength fitness and body weight status on markers of cardiometabolic health.  Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 47(6): 1211-1218, 2015. *Editors Choice
 


CONTACT DR. RYAN A HARRIS

  Campus (HS, 1707)
  1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912
  706-721-5998       706-721-7150
  ryharris@augusta.edu