Principal Investigator

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:

Areas of Expertise: Medical entomology, vector biology, global health, mosquito ecology and behavior, epidemiology, disease evolution and ecology

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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

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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.

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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

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 Active Grant Support:

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 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.

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Teaching Activities:

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Editorial Boards:

• Journal of Medical Entomology (2008 to 2013), Guest Editor PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

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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