Eva Harris, PhD

Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology
Faculty Director, Center for Global Public Health
Program Head, Infectious Diseases and Immunity PhD Program
President, Sustainable Sciences Institute

PhD, UC Berkeley | BA, Harvard University

Dr. Harris is a professor in the Infectious Disease and Vaccinology division in the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley. Professor Harris has developed a multidisciplinary approach to study the molecular virology, pathogenesis, immunology, epidemiology, clinical aspects, and control of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya—the most prevalent mosquito-borne diseases in humans. Her work investigates viral and host factors that modulate disease severity and immune correlates of protection and pathogenesis, using in vitro approaches, animal models, and research involving human populations.

One major focus is on studies of arboviral diesase in humans, including antibody and B cell responses and correlates of protection; systems immunology profiling of the innate response; and viral evolution, fitness, and intrahost diversity. Another focus is viral pathogenesis, specifically the role of flavivirus NS1 protein in vascular leak.

Her international work focuses on laboratory-based and epidemiological studies of dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and influenza in endemic Latin American countries, particularly in Nicaragua, where she has been working closely with Nicaraguan colleagues for over 30 years. Long-term collaborations include clinical, biological, and immunological studies of severe disease through a 21-year pediatric hospital-based study; a 17-year ongoing pediatric cohort study of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viral transmissions in Managua; several studies of Zika in pregnant women and their babies; and a recently concluded cluster-randomized controlled trial of evidence-based, community-derived interventions to prevent and control arboviral diseases.