UFGI faculty profile – brian harfe

Name: Brian Harfe

Born: Long Island, New York

Position at UF (with college affiliation): Assistant Professor, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, U. of Florida

Job before this one: Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School

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