Ken R. Harewood

Last updated

Ken Harewood
Born Barbados
Occupation scientist
Education Lodge School, Barbados, New York University, City College of the City University of New York, New York Blood Center

Ken Harewood is a molecular biologist with a history of contributions to biomedical research. [1] [2] [3]

Ken Harewood was formerly GlaxoSmithKline Distinguished Professor and Director of the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research institute [4] [5] and is recognized for his work in the fields of cancer biology and cancer drug discovery. In 2008 he was appointed by Gov. Mike Easley to the N.C. Board of Science and Technology and served on the N.C. Biotechnology Center board of directors [6] and is a member of the UNC Tomorrow Scholars' Council. Harewood has also served as Adjunct professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at Duke University.

Harewood is a native of Barbados and received his secondary education there at the Lodge School. As a secondary student he excelled at soccer and became team captain of the Barbados National Soccer Team. Harewood came to the United States as an undergraduate to study biology at New York University. He then did graduate work at the City College of the City University of New York, where he earned his Master's and Doctoral degrees in Biochemistry. He next did post-doctoral research at the New York Blood Center. [7]

After his training, Harewood accepted a laboratory position with Pfizer at its cancer research center in Maywood, New Jersey, [8] later moving to Pfizer Central Research in Groton, Connecticut, where he rose to the position of Project Leader and Principal Research Investigator in the Department of Molecular genetics. He and his team at Pfizer were the first to clone the gene for bovine calf rennin, leading to commercialization of the first food processing enzyme made using recombinant DNA technology. [7] Harewood also contributed to discovery of the first human leukemia virus and HIV.[ citation needed ] His work on cancer resulted in novel cell-based methods for discovery of anti-cancer drugs. [7]

Harewood has received a number of honors and awards, including: the Harlem YMCA Black Achievers in Industry Award, the National Consortium for Black Professional Development Health Sciences Award, the 1998 Barbados Charity Fund Pride and Industry Award, the 2006 North Carolina Central University Chancellor's Merit Award, the 2006 University of North Carolina Oliver Max Gardner Award; [7] and the Barbados Barbados Gold Crown of Merit. [9]

Harewood is author of Beyond My Wildest Dreams (Lulu.com, 2012, 350 pp.) and The Biotech Revolution: Impact on Science Education in America (Authorhouse, 2020, 112 pp.). Based on his experience with rennin Harewood co-authored an article for high school teachers describing lab exercises using this enzyme. [10] [7]

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References

  1. ↑ Ken R. Harewood, author, Scribners.
  2. ↑ Barile, Suzy (January 20, 2003). "NCCU's biotech center set to grow". Triangle Business Journal.
  3. ↑ HBCU Directory: Eagles Soaring. Ebony, September 2006, p. 202.
  4. ↑ DURHAM -- Julius Chambers has only begun to make his case for North Carolina Central University. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. 28 Jan 1998: S1.
  5. ↑ Stancill, Jane. Durham, N.C., University Strikes Grant Gold. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, Oct 16 2002, p. 1. ProQuest. Web. 16 Dec. 2021 .
  6. ↑ Business News The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C., 02 June 2008.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 2006, The Oliver Max Gardner Award to Dr. Ken R. Harewood, citation.
  8. ↑ Ahmed, M.; Korol, W.; Larson, D. L.; Harewood, K. R.; Mayyasi, S. A. (November 15, 1975). "Interactions between endogenous baboon type-C virus and oncogenic viruses. I. Syncytium induction and development of infectivity assay". International Journal of Cancer. 16 (5): 747–755. doi:10.1002/ijc.2910160507. PMID   171228. S2CID   29478514.
  9. ↑ Sir Clifford Straughn Husbands, Governor General of Barbados and Chancellor of the Order. Gold Crown of Merit citation for Ken Rupert Harewood, November 30, 2006.
  10. ↑ Harewood, Ken; Hinman, Richard (April 1, 1999). "Chymosin for Classroom Experiments: An Introduction to the Nature & Action of Enzymes". The American Biology Teacher. 61 (4): 288–293. doi:10.2307/4450673. JSTOR   4450673.
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