Mary Styles Harris facts for kids
Mary Styles Harris (born June 26, 1949) is an American biologist and geneticist. A geneticist is a scientist who studies genes and heredity. She is known for her work in public health education. She uses television and radio to teach people about important health topics.
Harris has focused on health issues that affect African Americans. She has created programs about the early detection of breast cancer and the genetics of sickle-cell anemia. She also helps people understand diseases like diabetes, AIDS, and different types of cancer. Harris believes it is important for scientists and government leaders to share health information clearly with everyone.
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Early Life and Family
Mary Styles Harris was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Her father, George Styles, was studying to be a doctor at Meharry Medical College. Her mother, Margaret Styles, had a degree in business from Tennessee State University.
When Mary was a baby, her family moved to Miami, Florida. Her parents worked together to build her father's medical practice. Sadly, her father passed away in 1958 when Mary was only nine years old.
Education and Scientific Journey
In high school, Harris was one of the first African American students to attend Miami Jackson High School. She was a great student and graduated twelfth in her class of 350 students in 1967.
She then went to Lincoln University. She was one of the first women to enroll there. At first, she planned to be a doctor. However, she became more interested in a career in scientific research.
After graduating in 1971, Harris went to Cornell University. There, she studied molecular genetics, which is the study of genes at a molecular level. She earned her doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in 1975. From 1975 to 1977, she worked at Rutgers University, where she studied viruses that can cause tumors.
Career in Public Health
After finishing her studies, Harris received a special fellowship from the National Cancer Institute. She researched the genetic makeup of viruses at the New Jersey University of Medicine and Dentistry.
In 1977, Harris became the executive director of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia. Her job was to raise money for research on sickle cell anemia. This is a genetic condition that mostly affects people of African descent. She also educated the public about the disease.
Her work earned her a Science Residency Award from the National Science Foundation in 1979. This award helped her create documentaries about science and medicine. In 1980, she won the Glamour magazine's Outstanding Working Woman Award. She received the award at a ceremony at the White House hosted by President Carter.
Later, Harris became the Director of Genetic Services for the Georgia Department of Human Services. In this role, she helped shape public health policies in Georgia and across the country. She also taught at Morehouse College and Atlanta College.
In 1987, Harris started her own company called BioTechnical Communications. The company creates videos and other materials to teach people about health. She produced a documentary called To My Sisters... A Gift For Life, which focused on breast cancer in African American women.
Personal Life
Harris married Sidney Harris, who also attended Morehouse College. They both went to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She worked in genetics research while he studied engineering. Mary and Sidney Harris have one daughter.
Major Awards and Honors
- 1971: Ford Foundation Doctoral Fellowship
- 1979: National Science Foundation Science Residency Award
- 1980: Glamour Magazine's Outstanding Working Woman Award
- 1979-80: Scientist in Residence for WGTV Channel 8
- 1979-80: Member of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Brain Trust
See also
In Spanish: Mary Styles Harris para niños
