Jennifer King Harris

Dr. Jennifer King Harris is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Liberal Arts. Her classes include "Topics: Cell Biology," "Science and the Arts," and more. As a scientific researcher and scholar, she brings a love of discovery and decades of hands-on experience to UNCSA. 

At Virginia Tech Post Baccalaureate Program, Harris studied immunology under the guidance of Josep Bassaganya-Reiera before joining the lab of Clivel Charlton at Meharry Medical College to study the untoward effects of Parkinson's disease treatment. As a post-doctoral fellow, she continued to hone her knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases in the lab of Kelly Jordan-Sciutto at the University of Pennsylvania. She began her career as a professor and researcher at Ursinus College, where her lab examined the neuroinflammatory response. 

Harris recently started a dual appointment at the Piedmont Triad Community Research Center, where she continues her research. 

Recent Publications

• Favero C, Payne A, King J, (2024) Learning to Lead: an upper division course designed for career preparation, science skills, and identity. (In process). International Journal of STEM Education
• King J, Barnes N., Burns, C. (2024) HIV-1 TAT induced modulation of microglial phagocytic activity through inactivation of Cofilin/p-Cofilin pathway (in process). Micropublication Biology.
• Burns C. and King J. (2023) SARS-CoV-2 S1 Glycoprotein Induced Inflammatory Cytokine Levels and Phagocytic Activity of Microglia Cells (accepted) micropublication Biology
• Goddard, K., Cameron, D., Favero, C., King, J., & Price, S. (2022). Factors for First-Year College Biology Students. Bioscene: Journal of College Biology Teaching, 48(1), 3-9.
• King JM and Price Simara. (2020 3rd Edition) Ursinus College BIO102 Laboratory Manual. ISBN 978-1-64485-427-3. Fountain Head Press.

Recent Awards, Recognitions & Honors

• Invited speaker for Global Conference on Neuroscience and Brain Disorders, Paris, France November 2024
• Ursinus College Inclusion and Equity Faculty Award, 2022
• Ursinus College COVID-19 research fellow supported by Winnifred Cutler ($60,000), 2021
• Recipient of the Ursinus College Athena Institute for Women’s Wellness Grant for COVID Scientific Literacy ($500 for integration of COVID topics in course), 2021
• Recipient of the Ursinus College Athena Institute for Women’s Wellness Grant for COVID Scientific Literacy ($2,100 for lab supplies), 2021
• Recipient of American Society for Cell Biology Professional Development Grant (Achieving Career Transitions Program), 2021
• Recipient of American Society for Cell Biology Ambassador (outreach) grant, 2021
• Co-Principal Investigator, National Science Foundation Supporting Inclusive Excellence II: Scholarships to Support Undergraduate Student Success in Neuroscience and Biology-Biochemistry-Molecular Biology Majors ($989,407), 2021