Dr Ed Harris

How I’ll teach you

Evolutionary biologyMolecular conservation geneticsTheoretical biology and statistics

Academic and professional qualifications

1992-1996 BSc in Biology, Univeristy of Tampa

1996-2002 PhD in Ecology, Purdue University

2002-2005 RA in Behavioural Genetics, University of Manchester

2005-2008 RA in Evolutionary Genetics, University of Manchester

2008-present Senior Lecturer in Conservation Genetics, Manchester Metropolitan University

 

Research expertise

In general, most of my current research involves looking at how genetic variation is partitioned in natural populations. I have a general interest in population and evolutionary genetics. I am also interested in pedagogical research. I am interested in how students perceive and respond to the subjects of mathematics and statistics. Hazel Dormouse genetics We are currently investigating how landscape features influence gene flow and inbreeding in monitored dormouse populations. Our main sites of interest currently are in Suffolk, North Wales and Cheshire, though we may expand this in the future. We use microsatellites to measure gene flow in relation to habitat and landscape features; we also use mtDNA sequences to look at the genetic variation across the UK and Europe. We are beginning some population modelling to identify source and sink populations to inform conservation management in this species. Partners for this project include members of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Chester Zoo, the North West Dormouse Partnership and the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species. Other workAmongst others, some projects currently progressing include: - Using dung beetles as bioindicators of mammalian community diversity in Kenya - Black rhino conservation genetics in Kenya - Mountain Bongo captive genetics and wild ecology - Speciation in Macaronesian island birds - Using genetics to inform reintroduction in the White Faced Darter - Measuring the impact of the "flipped classroom" on student engagement in statistics education

Academic collaborations

Ecological geneticsEvolution Statistical modelling using Bayesian MCMC

Publications

• Journal articles

  J. Vanessa Huml, MI. Taylor, W. Edwin Harris, R. Sen, JS. Ellis (2018). Neutral variation does not predict immunogenetic variation in the European grayling (Thymallus thymallus)-implications for management. Mol Ecol. 27(21), pp.4157-4173.

  R. Kallala, WE. Harris, M. Ibrahim, M. Dipane, E. McPherson (2018). Use of Stimulan absorbable calcium sulphate beads in revision lower limb arthroplasty: Safety profile and complication rates. Bone & joint research. 7(10), pp.570-579.

  FJ. Combe, E. Taylor-Cox, G. Fox, T. Sandri, N. Davis, et al. MJ. Jones, B. Cain, D. Mallon, WE. Harris. (2018). Rapid isolation and characterization of microsatellites in the critically endangered mountain bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci). Journal of Genetics. 97(2), pp.549-553.

  S. Valle, NJ. Collar, WE. Harris, SJ. Marsden (2017). Spatial and seasonal variation in abundance within an insular grey parrot population. African Journal of Ecology.

  WE. Harris, FJ. Combe, S. Bird (2015). Using integrated population modelling in conservation monitoring: a case study in the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). Folia Zoologica. 64(4), pp.330-336.

  B. Cain, AB. Wandera, SG. Shawcross, W. Edwin Harris, B. Stevens-Wood, et al. SJ. Kemp, B. Okita-Ouma, PC. Watts. (2013). Sex-Biased Inbreeding Effects on Reproductive Success and Home Range Size of the Critically Endangered Black Rhinoceros. Conservation Biology.

  V. Norton, B. Stevens-Wood, WE. Harris (2013). Flexibility of Individual Load-mass Selection in Relation to Foraging Trail Gradient in the Leaf-cutter Ant Acromyrmex octospinosus. Journal of Insect Behavior. pp.1-15.

  FL. Bowling, CA. Abbott, WE. Harris, S. Atanasov, RA. Malik, et al. AJM. Boulton. (2012). A pocket-sized disposable device for testing the integrity of sensation in the outpatient setting. Diabet Med. 29(12), pp.1550-1552.

  SE. Zytynska, MS. Khudr, E. Harris, RF. Preziosi (2012). Genetic effects of tank-forming bromeliads on the associated invertebrate community in a tropical forest ecosystem. Oecologia. 170(2), pp.467-475.

  HR. Taylor, WE. Harris (2012). An emergent science on the brink of irrelevance: a review of the past 8 years of DNA barcoding. Mol Ecol Resour. 12(3), pp.377-388.

  DE. Fry, WE. Harris, EN. Kohnke, CL. Twomey (2010). Influence of double-gloving on manual dexterity and tactile sensation of surgeons. J Am Coll Surg. 210(3), pp.325-330.

  WE. Harris, T. Uller (2009). Reproductive investment when mate quality varies: differential allocation versus reproductive compensation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 364(1520), pp.1039-1048.

  VT. Montrose, WE. Harris, AJ. Moore, PJ. Moore (2008). Sperm competition within a dominance hierarchy: investment in social status vs. investment in ejaculates. JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY. 21(5), pp.1290-1296.

  JB. Wolf, WE. Harris, NJ. Royle (2008). The capture of heritable variation for genetic quality through social competition. Genetica. 134(1), pp.89-97.

  WE. Harris (2008). Spermatophore deposition behavior in an explosive breeder, the small-mouthed salamander, Ambystoma texanum. Herpetologica. 64(2), pp.149-155.

  WE. Harris, AJ. McKane, JB. Wolf (2008). The maintenance of heritable variation through social competition. Evolution. 62(2), pp.337-347.

  WE. Harris, AJ. Moore, PJ. Moore (2007). Variation in sperm size within and between ejaculates in a cockroach. Functional Ecology. 21(3), pp.598-602.

  PJ. Moore, WE. Harris, AJ. Moore (2007). The cost of keeping eggs fresh: quantitative genetic variation in females that mate late relative to sexual maturation. Am Nat. 169(3), pp.311-322.

  RF. Preziosi, WE. Harris (2007). Multivariate selection for the rest of us. J Evol Biol. 20(1), pp.34-35.

  WE. Harris, PJ. Moore (2005). Female mate preference and sexual conflict: females prefer males that have had fewer consorts. Am Nat. 165 Suppl 5, pp.S64-S71.

  WE. Harris, PJ. Moore (2005). Sperm competition and male ejaculate investment in Nauphoeta cinerea: effects of social environment during development. J Evol Biol. 18(2), pp.474-480.

  PJ. Moore, WE. Harris, VT. Montrose, D. Levin, AJ. Moore (2004). Constraints on evolution and postcopulatory sexual selection: trade-offs among ejaculate characteristics. Evolution. 58(8), pp.1773-1780.

  VT. Montrose, WE. Harris, PJ. Moore (2004). Sexual conflict and cooperation under naturally occurring male enforced monogamy. J Evol Biol. 17(2), pp.443-452.

  PJ. Moore, WE. Harris (2003). Is a decline in offspring quality a necessary consequence of maternal age?. Proc Biol Sci. 270 Suppl 2(Suppl 2), pp.S192-S194.

  WE. Harris, JR. Lucas (2002). A state-based model of sperm allocation in a group-breeding salamander. Behavioral Ecology. 13(5), pp.705-712.

• Conferences