Randall Harris encourages faculty, students to ‘stay in the game’

After 37 years of teaching, mentoring and advancing public health science, Professor Randall Harris has one piece of advice for the College of Public Health community: Stay in the game.

It’s a difficult time in public health, he said — but there is important work to be done.

“The college is booming — it’s because of you,” he told faculty and staff at an end of semester celebration in April. “You have a tremendous, bright future. Keep it up.”

Harris is set to retire from Ohio State University in June, where he built a career as a leading cancer epidemiology researcher and prolific teacher. A key contributor to the college’s early growth and success, Harris served as director of the School of Public Health between 1995 and 1998.

Harris served as associate director of cancer prevention and control at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center from 1990 to 2000. He is also a professor at the College of Medicine, where he led the Department of Preventive Medicine from 1990 to 1995.

“Dr. Harris’s contributions to Ohio State and to the College of Public Health are simply tremendous and we are deeply grateful for all he’s done for our students and for people everywhere through his meaningful research,” said Dean Paula Song.

Harris is celebrated instructor and received an outstanding teaching award in 2003. He served as the primary mentor for 31 PhD students and more than 250 MPH students who have gone on to make their own contributions to the field. He taught tens of thousands of Ohio State students, including some who serve on the CPH faculty today.

Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Amy Ferketich said taking a course with Harris in the mid-90s solidified her interest in epidemiology and inspired her to enter a public health PhD program.

“Randy has such a passion for epidemiology and teaching epidemiology,” she said. “He has so much curiosity and enthusiasm for his work.”

Classroom discussions and questions that spark interesting conversations are Harris’s favorite part of teaching, he said. He engages students by focusing on current events and the ripple effects that can harm health.

Harris is a prominent investigator in the field of cancer epidemiology and molecular prevention, celebrated for his work on the enzyme Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its role in the development and progression of various cancers. In 2008, he was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his research on COX-2 and breast cancer.

“Dr. Harris’s enthusiastic interest in the pursuit of science is a bright light, and we are so very grateful for his many contributions,” said Alison Norris, professor and chair of the Division of Epidemiology.

Harris earned an MS in genetics from the University of Nebraska, a PhD in genetics and statistics from North Carolina State University, an MD from the University of Nebraska, and completed residency in clinical pathology at Duke University. Harris is also board certified in Public Health and General Preventive Medicine. He is a U.S. Army veteran and was awarded a Bronze Star for service in Vietnam.