Name: Brian Harfe
Born:
Position
at UF (with college affiliation): Assistant Professor, Molecular
Genetics and Microbiology,
Job
before this one: Postdoctoral Fellow,
Current
research interest, in layman’s terms: I am trying to determine how a limb
forms using the mouse model system. Mice are a good system to work in because
we can remove proteins at specific times of development. Along with Marty Cohn (UF – Zoology), we are
also investigating how intervertebral disks develop. The long-term goal of this
project is to develop a product that can help people with lower back problems.
Prior
Research: In
graduate school I worked on muscle development using the nematode C. elegans (lab of Andy Fire). During my
first postdoc I worked on how DNA damage is corrected in yeast (lab of Sue
Jinks-Robertson) and then did a second postdoc using mice and chicks to
investigate vertebrate embryonic development (lab of Cliff Tabin).
Education:
B.S.,
University of Glasgow (Scotland, 1993), Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University
(1997)
Family:
Married
to Kate Hill-Harfe. Two Devon Rex cats (equivalent to human 2-year-olds).
When
I'm not at work, I am: At the gym, or in the garden.
The
best thing that I've done lately that no one knows about: I have no
secrets (or so my wife tells me).
Last
non-work related book: Lance Armstrong: “Every Second Counts”
Last
movie in a theater: “Lord of the Rings,
The Two Towers”
Something
always in your refrigerator: Milk
People would be surprised to know that: My wife and I
funded our wedding by teaching swing dance classes.
Contact me at: bharfe@mgm.ufl.edu, 352-392-1642