Brian Harfe

Dr. Brian Harfe is a professor in the College of Medicine at the University of Florida and Senior Associate Provost. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers in developmental biology and genetics that have been cited over 20,000 times (h-index 69). For 17 years, he was the course director for the first-year medical student course Genetics and Health, which he also designed. Currently, he teaches an innovative undergraduate course he designed entitled “Can we design “better” humans? Should we?” to more than 800 students each year. For 11 years, he was Associate Dean for the Natural Sciences and Mathematics in the UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). As Associate Dean, he was responsible for the Departments of Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics, 10 Centers, the College's research and international portfolio, among other duties. As Senior Associate Provost, he oversees ~140 staff and faculty, including the Center for Online Innovation and Production, UF Online, Distance Programs Services, Dual Enrollment, Teaching and Technology Finance/HR, Technology Data and Analytical Services, the UF Honors Program, Center of Undergraduate Research, Innovation Academy, and the Office of Student Success. As a New Yorker who received his BSc degree from the University of Glasgow, he firmly believes that students should have opportunities to experience different cultures in college. This likely explains his extensive involvement in international activities, including developing and running 14 international exchange programs and a study-abroad trip.