Professor
Email: lch27 [at] cornell.edu
Office: 3138/2130 Comstock Hall
Phone: 607.255.4475
Laboratory: 3131 Comstock Hall
Dr. Harrington’s Google Scholar Profile (over 118 peer reviewed journal articles, 3 book chapters, Over 8825 citations, H-index =53)
Education:
- Post Doctorate: August 1999 to May 2001, University of California, Davis.
- PhD: Medical Entomology, May 1999, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
- MS: Medical and Veterinary Entomology, May 1993, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.
- BS: Biology, May 1990, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY.
Academic Rank: Professor, 2013 to present (65% research, 35% teaching)
Areas of Expertise: Medical entomology, vector biology, global health, mosquito ecology and behavior, epidemiology, disease evolution and ecology
Professional Experience:
- 2017- Present, Director, Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases
- 2013-2016: Chair, Department of Entomology, Cornell University, New York
- 2013 – present: Professor, Dept of Entomology, Cornell University, New York
- 2007 – 2012: Associate Professor, Dept of Entomology, Cornell University, New York
- 2001 – 2006: Assistant Professor, Dept Entomology, Cornell University, New York
- 1999 – 2001: Post-doctoral researcher, Dept Entomology, University of California, Davis
- 1995 – 1999: Research Assistant, Dept Entomology, Univ Massachusetts, Amherst
- 1994 – 1995: Agricultural Biologist, BASF Corp, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- 1993 – 1994: Field Research Intern, BASF Corp, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- 1990 – 1993: Research Assistant, Entomology, North Carolina State University
- 1987 – 1989: Research Assistant, Biology, St. Lawrence University, New York
Sabbaticals and Study Leaves:
- 2010: Arthropod-borne Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory. Colorado State University (Ken Olson): Vector competence for US strains of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) for Chikungunya virus (LR-OPY strain); and Venereal Transmission of Dengue-2 virus by Aedes aegypti males.
Honors and Awards:
- CALS Research and Extension Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Research, 2022
- Merrill Presidential Scholars Academic Mentor honoree. Merrill Scholars represent the top 1% of Cornell’s graduating class each year. Scholars select a Cornell faculty member to honor as their most influential professor/mentor at Cornell University, 2019 (Lauren Prisco) and 2021 (Angela Shen).
- Donald C. Burgett Distinguished Advisor Award. Selected by the Cornell CALS senior class for outstanding undergraduate advising, 2020
- Recognition Award in Medical, Urban, & Veterinary Entomology, Entomological Society of America 2019
- Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow, for outstanding contributions to undergraduate education at Cornell. 2016-present
- North Carolina State University Outstanding Alumna Award 2015
- Eastern Branch ESA Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching 2012, 2013
- Provosts Award for Distinguished Scholarship, Cornell University 2010
- Cornell University Advance Program Professional Development Award 2010
- Cornell Center for Sustainable Future Faculty Fellow 2009 to present
- International Programs Travel Award 2008
- Faculty Fellows in Service Grant Award, Malaria Interventions in Ghana 2007
- Best Paper Award at the International Conference in Modeling Health Advances 2007
- CALS Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Students in Research Award, April 2006
- Gordon Conference Invited Speaker, June 2006
- NSF/International Congress of Entomology Travel Award, August 2004
- CALS International Travel Award, May 2002
Active Grant Support:
- Harrington/Wolfner (Co-PIs): NIH 5R01AI095491, New Targets for Reproductive Control of Mosquito Vectors.
- Harrington, PI/PD: CDC Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases
- Harrington (PI): Department of Defense DWFP, Novel Evaluation of control and prevention strategies for ticks
Past Funding Awards:
- Harrington (Co-investigator), Radcliffe (PI), Morrison Animal Foundation D15ZO-058. Tabanid fly host feeding and transmission patterns drive trypanosome infection in endangered Javan rhinoceroses in Ujung Kulon National Park Indonesia.
- Harrington (Co-investigator), Cator (PI): NIH R01AI118593, Acoustic Mating Signals in Mosquitoes
- Harrington (co-investigator), Catteruccia (PI): NIH 1R01, Targeting Steroid Hormone Signaling in Anopheles Mosquitoes for Malaria Control
- Harrington (co-PI), Munoz PI (Columbia Univ) NOAA-“The Development of Climate-Informed Decision-Support Tools for the Prevention and Control of Aedes-Borne Diseases in the Us and Transboundary Regions”
- Harrington, PI: Hatch 2010-11-184: Climate Change and Invasions in New York State: introduction of the Asian tiger mosquito and Exotic Chikungunya virus
- Harrington/Wolfner (Co-PIs) NYC-145452 “Taming the Tiger: Using Males to Control the Invasive Asian tiger mosquito in New York State”
- Harrington (PI). Climate Change, Adaptation and range expansion of the Asian tiger mosquito in New York State NE-1443 “Biology, Ecology & Management of Emerging Disease Vectors”
- Harrington (PI) Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Novel acoustic surveillance techniques for male and female mosquitoes.
- Harrington, PI: Hatch 2010-11-184: Climate Change and Invasions in New York State: introduction of the Asian tiger mosquito and Exotic Chikungunya virus
- Harrington/Wolfner (Co-PIs): Hatch NYC 2011-12-219, Novel targets and deployment strategies for mosquito vector control
- Harrington (Co-I), Bowman (PI): Novartis Animal Health Lab Service Contract, Research on Dog heart worm
- Harrington, Collaborator: USDA/CSREES, Multistate (MRF) project NE-507, Mosquitoes, Disease & Public Health
- Harvell, Harrington, Zamudio, Co-PIs: Atkinson Center for Sustainable Future, Climate Warming, Disease Forecasting, and Economic Impacts
- Harrington, PI; Cator, L., fellow: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) training award, Acoustic signaling in the mating systems of medically important mosquitoes
- Harrington, Co-Investigator: Anthony James, PI, Grand Challenges in Global Health, Gates Foundation/ FNIH, Genetic strategies for control of dengue virus transmission
- Harrington, PI: Wolfner, Co-PI, NIH/NIAID 1R21AI076828-01A1, Male Accessory Gland Proteins of the Dengue vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti: Novel targets for genetic control strategies.
- Harrington, PI; Wolfner, Co-PI: Hatch Project NYC, Investigation of new targets for reproductive control of mosquito vectors.
- Harrington, PI: USDA/CREES, Larval source reduction and integrated management of West Nile virus mosquitoes, in peridomestic environments.
- Harrington, PI; DeGaetano, Co-PI: GC04-763 Joint Announcement on Climate Variability and Human Health: Climate effects, West Nile virus vector development, and transmission risk
- Harrington, Co-I; Scott, TW, PI: NIH RO1 AI22119, Multiple blood-feeding by mosquitoes.
- Harrington, PI: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 40812, Host Feeding Preferences and Insecticide Resistance Status of West Nile Virus Mosquito Vectors in New York State
- Harrington, PI: CSREES NYC-139432, Ecology and Behavior of Arthropod Disease Vectors in the Northeastern United States.
- Harrington, Co-I; DeGaetano, PI: National Climatic Data Center, Regional Climate Center, Development of Climate Indices for Vectors of West Nile Virus
- Harrington, PI: American Biophysics, Identification of mosquito larvae
- Harrington, Co-PI; DeGaetano, Co-PI: Hatch NYC: Biology and range expansion of invasive mosquito species with climate change.
Teaching Activities:
- eCornell course development; created “Vector-borne Disease Surveillance” a 3-week course, and “Fundamentals of Vector Biology” https://ecornell.cornell.edu/custom/vector-borne-diseases-surveillance
- Faculty Advisor. Cornell’s Operation Smile Undergrad Club, 2020- present
- Faculty Advisor. Cornell’s Anti-Malaria Project Club, 2020- present
- Big Red Teaching Days Participant, 2019
- Increasing Scientific Literacy at Cornell University: Active Learning in 3 Large Non-Major Biology classes (Co-PI) grant awarded in 2019
- Cornell Freshman Biology Advisor, 2018-2020
- Cornell Biology Scholars Program (BSP) . Mosquito biology researchCornell Teaching Partnership Program. Mentoring junior faculty in teaching. 2017- 2019
- Cornell University New Faculty Orientation, 2017. Research in the Life Sciences Session, led with Jesse Goldberg
- Engaged Cornell Teaching Grant and Course, “Conservation with Communities for One Health” Teaching team member 2016 and 2017.
- Biology Scholars Program for historically underrepresented students in biology. Freshman seminar presenter /lab tour and discussion leader. 2012, 2013, 2016
- CIRTL Panel presentation 2014. “What I Wish I’d known about Mentoring before Becoming a Faculty Member”
- Cornell Global Health Student Council Ted-Talk Event. 2013. Ted talk presenter “Global research on disease vectors and career opportunities”
- CIRTLCast on “Mentoring Graduate Students and Postdocs.” 2012. A national seminar on key tips for future faculty.
- Cornell University First Year Book Project Lecture for Homer and Langley. 2011. “1918 Influenza and other pandemics: what is next?”
- Online lecture in “Epidemiology of Vector borne Diseases”. 2010. Henry Stewart Talks. (http://hstalks.com/?t=BL1182705-Harrington ).
- Cornell CIRTL (Center for Integrated Research Teaching and Learning) steering committee and proposal team member (2011 to present)
- “Influenza: A case study in pandemics past and present” Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers, October 2011
- Faculty Advisor for Cover Africa Student Organization (2007 to present)
- Faculty Advisor for the Cornell Student Society for Public Health (2009 to present)
- Faculty Advisor for Partnership for Honduran Health Student Organization (2007 to 2008)
- 2007 Faculty Fellows-In-Service Awardee, Malaria Interventions in Ghana
Undergraduate Advising Majors: Entomology, Biology, Biology and Society
Professional Society Memberships:
- Society for Vector Ecology (1996 to 2013)
- Entomological Society of America (1990 to present)
- American Mosquito Control Association (1996 to 2009)
- Northeast Mosquito Control Association (2002 to 2010)
- American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (1998 to present)
- American Committee on Arthropod-Borne Viruses (ACAV) (2012 to present)
- American Committee of Medical Entomology (ACME) (2001 to present)
Editorial Boards:
- Journal of Medical Entomology (2008 to 2013), Guest Editor PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Committee Assignments:
International/National
- ASTMH Pre-meeting course organizer, “Vector Biology for the Clinician” 2018, 2020
- ACME Councilor, 2016 to 2020
- Kelly Label Award Committee, 2011 to 2013, American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
- Young Investigator Award Committee, Entomological Society of America, 2008 to 2010
- Education Committee, 2007 to 20, American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
- ISPRS – Remote Sensing Applications and Policies Working Group VIII / 2 – Public Health, 2008-2012
- Executive Councilor, 2001-2006, American Committee of Medical Entomology
- Commodity and Other Stakeholder: Member, 2002- 2006. Human Health Commodity Working Group. Northeastern Pest Management Center.
- AMCA: Member, 2004 to 2007, Science and Technology Committee.
- Young Investigator Award Committee, Entomological Society of America, 2008 to present
University
- Cornell University Provosts Founders’ Circle Recognition Event Panel speaker, “One Health and Emerging Diseases” April 2021
- Adhoc Faculty Awards reviewer, 2018-present
- TCAM Board Panel Presentation on Climate Change Research at Cornell featuring the Atkinson Center (2020)
- Associate Professor Orientation panel co-leader, “Keeping Your Research on Track Post Tenure”
(2018) - Annual Summer Undergraduate Workshop on Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Panelist (2018)
- Internal Advisory Committee for the Cornell MPH program (2018-present)
- Cornell University Courses Advisory Board (2013-2016)
- Cornell CIRTL (NSF Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Steering committee (2011-2016)
- CIRTL program director search committee (2012)
- CU-CIRTL Advisory Board (2012- present)
- Cornell Program in Global Health Advisory Board (Ithaca and Weill-NYC Campuses), 2006 to present
- CALS, Undergraduate biology task force, 2007 to 2008
- Life Sciences Advisory Committee, 2008 to 2011
- Biology Implementation committee, 2008 to 2009
- CALS, Faculty Senate, 2006 to 2007
- CALS faculty financial advisory committee, 2005 to 2008
- Chair, Community IPM committee, 2005 to 2010
- Global Health Advisory Panel 2006 to present
Department
- 2002 Fall Faculty Retreat Planning Committee
- 2003 to 2007, Outreach Committee
- 2006 to 2009, Entomology Graduate Admissions Committee
- 2003 to 2010 Griswold Committee (Chair Griswold, 2006)
- 2008 to 2010, Executive Committee
- 2010-2011 Strategic Planning Committee
- 2011- 2012 Insect Immunology Search Committee
- 2003 to present, Rogoff Committee
- 2007 to present, Sarkaria Arthropod Research Laboratory (SARL) Committee
- 2003 to present, Curriculum and Teaching Committee
- 2011 to present, Awards Committee (chair 2012-13)
- 2012 to 2013, Faculty mentoring committee
- 2013 to 2016, Department Chair
- 2020-present, Executive Committee
- 2020-present, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Conferences/Workshops/In-Service Participation:
- DEC updates on NEVBDs insecticide resistance program. April 2021
- DEC continuing education presentation on NEVBD updates on invasive ticks, mosquitoes and control. October 7, 2020
- NEVBD Boot Camp May 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. Presentations on Arthropod Biology and Behavior.
- NEVBD Boot Camp May 2018, 2019
- NYS Tick Borne Disease Working group, 2017-2020
- NESCent Catalysis Meeting “Ecological Immunology Applied to Vector Biology and Vector Borne Disease.” August 2015.
- NYS Tick-Borne Disease Research Workshop. March 2015.
- CIRTL Panel presentation 2014. “What I Wish I’d Known about Mentoring Before Becoming a Faculty Member”
- Cornell Global Health Student Council Ted-Talk Event. 2013. Ted talk presenter “Global research on disease vectors and career opportunities”
- CIRTLCast on “Mentoring Graduate Students and Postdocs.” 2012. A national seminar on key tips for future faculty. http://www.cirtl.net/files/Nov_30_CIRTLCast_2012Flier.pdf
- Cornell University First Year Book Project Lecture for Homer and Langley. 2011. “1918 Influenza and other pandemics: what is next?”
- Cornell University First Year Book Project Group Discussion Leader. 2009. The Grapes of Wrath.
- Online lecture in “Epidemiology of Vector borne Diseases”. 2010. Henry Stewart Talks. (http://hstalks.com/?t=BL1182705-Harrington ).
- University of Maryland Center for Health & Homeland Security (CHHS) Public Health Preparedness Conference, January 2013. Panel presenter on emerging vector borne diseases in the United States
- Inside Cornell: Health, Climate and Mosquito-Borne Disease, May 2012. (http://www.cornell.edu/video/?videoID=2109)
- Washington Congressional Briefing “Insect Invasions”, July 2011
- CALS “Making a World of Difference” Panel Speaker, April 2009
- Symposium Organizer, 2008. Symposium Organizer, 2008. “Progress towards understanding the fitness of transgenic mosquitoes”, Annual American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene meeting.
- Research on mosquito vectors in the community. New York State Community IPM meeting. (2007).
- Roundtable host – Career Development in Tropical Medicine and Health. ASTMH Meeting, Philadelphia (2007).
- Climate change and invasive mosquito vectors of human and animal pathogens, CALS Advisory Board Meeting, (2007).
- ESA Section D Secretary (2006), Early Career Innovation Award Committee (2008-present)
- Vector Containment Guidelines Working Group, Foundation for NIH (FNIH), 2006 to 2008.
Grant Review Panels:
- NOAA/SBIR program reviewer. Climate applications for advanced decision making. 2005
- NIH Special Emphasis Panel. NIH International Research in Infectious Diseases Panel, 2007- 2008.
- NIH Vector Biology Study Section Ad Hoc member 2011
- NIH Vector Biology Study Section Regular Member 2012-2016.
Resource for Media (highlights):
Radio:
• NPR interviews: Interviewed for NPR and 103.5 WTOP Washington Radio 2011; Goats and Soda Interview blog about the mosquito emoji with Courtney Columbus 2017; interview with Jonathan Wolfe for New York Today 2017; Science Q&A section, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/science/mosquito-bait.html?_r=0 2014; Interview by Renee Montagne for NPR (February 2016) http://www.npr.org/2016/02/02/465246337/attention-turns-to-repelling-mosquitos-that-carry-zika-dengue ;
• Public radio: Interview by Crystal Sarkakas, WSKG Public Radio, on tick borne disease 2015; WHYY Philadelphia: interview with Alan Yu for The Pulse 2017
Newspaper:
• NBC news. Interview by Linda Carroll. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/lone-star-tick-linked-heartland-virus-people-found-georgia-rcna20328 March 2022
• Cornell Daily Sun. http://cornellsun.com/node/53497 October 2012
• NBC News. http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/24/16684974-the-bright-side-of-this-winters-big-chill-fewer-mosquitoes-this-summer. John Roach. January 2013
• BBC. Interview by Paul Blake for BBC, Zika and mosquitoes (February 2016)
• USA Today. Interviews by Liz Szabo, Zika and Aedes aegypti (January-March 2016) http://www.wkyc.com/news/health/experts-dismiss-claims-that-pesticide-not-zika-causes-birth-defects/44797337
http://nvs24.com/news/world/Bold-Zika-mosquitoes-love-to-hang-with-humans-4562499.html; Interview and resource for Liz Szabo, USA today “Gulf Coast could be ground zero for Zika” developed mosquito development graphic for the article. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/05/05/gulf-coast-could-ground-zero-zika/83823758/
• New York Times Science Q&A section, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/science/mosquito-bait.html?_r=0
• Cornell cast. Cornell Vector biologist answers Zika virus FAQs (February 2016) http://www.cornell.edu/video/zika-virus-faqs-laura-harrington
• Washington Post. Resource for Brady Dennis, The Washington Post, Zika (February 2016); Interview- Don Phillips Zika and the Olympics https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/brazil-says-there-is-almost-zero-risk-of-zika-during-olympics-really/2016/07/05/9f2c49fc-31c0-11e6-ab9d-1da2b0f24f93_story.html (July 2016); Interview by Lena Sun, Washington Post, Zika Virus (January 2016)
• Boston Globe. Interview with Matt Rocheleau . Releasing more mosquitoes might actually curb the number of mosquitoes
• Time Magazine. Interview by Aryn Baker, African Bureau Chief, Time Magazine (February 2016)
Television:
• Documentaries. Featured in “Mosquito: A Discovery Channel Documentary” Resource and interviews by Alex Ranken, Yap Films first Broadcast on Discovery Channel, July 6, 2017. (Includes interviews and field work footage in New York).
• BBC Natural History Unit. Resource for mosquito biology piece for One Planet program (February 2014)
• NBC Nightly News. Television Interview February 5, 2016