About

Dr. Neil S Harris is a board-certified pathologist in anatomic and clinical pathology, as well as clinical chemistry through the American Board of Clinical Chemistry. He serves as a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine within the University of Florida's College of Medicine. His educational background includes undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, followed by postgraduate training that encompassed a residency in chemical pathology and immunology at the University of Cape Town, a research fellowship in Hematology/Oncology, and a clinical chemistry fellowship at the Department of Laboratory Medicine at the Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. He obtained his U.S. credentials in pathology after completing a residency at Fletcher Allen Health Care (now UVM Medical Center) at the University of Vermont in Burlington. Dr. Harris's professional focus includes core laboratory services such as chemistry, hematology, and coagulation, and he is actively involved in teaching various courses within the College of Medicine. His research and presentations have addressed topics such as the pathophysiology of blood oxygenation challenges and advanced testing methods for von Willebrand activity, reflecting his expertise in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Pathology
• Immunology
• Surgery
• Intensive care medicine
• Pediatrics
• Chemistry
• Genetics
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Anesthesia
• Biology

Selected publications

• A Case of Myelodysplastic Syndrome-Induced Acquired Sideroblastic Anemia.

  PubMed · 2025-10-01

  articleOpen access

  Hematological disorders are frequently encountered at the doctor's office and in the emergency room. Sideroblastic anemia, a rare hematological malady, is characterized by ring sideroblasts in the red blood cells due to accumulation of poorly transported and underutilized iron. Unlike primary sideroblastic anemia which can be conclusively diagnosed through genetic testing, the more common secondary form of the disease requires intricate cascading of several preliminary and confirmatory laboratory testing to determine the accurate etiology and provide the appropriate management regimen. The scope of laboratory medicine is broadening; clinical chemists and other laboratorians are tasked with directing broader clinical pathology sections, including Core lab hematology. Understanding the testing dynamics, diagnostic criteria and management of hematological diseases is fundamental to attaining success in consulting with providers to manage diseases such as sideroblastic anemia. Via a relevant case study, we explore the etiology, workup, symptoms, and treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome-induced sideroblastic anemia.

  PublisherOA PDF

• Beyond prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time: coagulation in vivo—an illustrated review

  Laboratory Medicine · 2025-05-04 · 4 citations

  review1st authorCorresponding

  The steps that initiate coagulation in vivo are different from the components of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). The reactions of PT and aPTT are kept separate by the addition of high concentrations of tissue factor (for PT) or silica (for aPTT). In vivo, these reactions blend together as an initiation phase followed by a propagation phase. The initiation phase produces small quantities of thrombin, while much larger amounts of thrombin are generated by the propagation phase. Formation of a visible clot occurs when less than 4% of the total thrombin is generated. Although the contact pathway is essential for the aPTT reaction, this set of reactions does not play a role in normal hemostasis in vivo but does appear to be important in pathologic thrombosis and inflammation. The hemostatic pathways are controlled in vivo by the antithrombin system, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and the protein C and protein S complexes. Platelets and endothelial cells are an essential component of hemostasis. In the presence of thrombin and vessel wall damage, platelets are activated, and they adhere to the bleeding site and aggregate releasing other mediators for further platelet aggregation.

  PublisherDOI

• Simulated Microgravity Causes Delayed Platelet Activation and Downregulates Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 1/2 Protein Expression

  Biomedicines · 2025-11-24

  articleOpen access

  Background: Microgravity is a physical force that affects cellular functions, including gene expression, cellular differentiation, proliferation, and signal transduction. Ion channels play an important role in ionic permeability and cell physiology. In addition, ion channels have been shown to contribute to volume regulation, fluid homeostasis, blood pressure regulation, mechanosensation, and cell migration. The lipid composition and fluidity of the plasma membrane of various cell types contribute to the regulation of ion channels. We hypothesized that protein expression of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) is decreased while membrane fluidity is increased, leading to delayed activation of human platelets subject to microgravity conditions. Methods and Results: Platelets were maintained in simulated microgravity conditions using the rotating wall vessel method. Thromboelastography analysis showed there is a delay in platelet activation in human platelet samples subject to simulated microgravity conditions compared to normal gravity for 5 days at 37 °C. Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy studies showed that ASIC1/2 proteins are significantly downregulated in human platelets subject to the same simulated microgravity conditions. In addition, membrane fluidity was increased while sphingomyelin concentration was decreased in human platelets subject to simulated microgravity compared to normal gravity conditions. Conclusions: Taken together, the data from this study suggest that simulated microgravity delays platelet activation in human platelets in a mechanism presumably involving a decrease in ASIC1/2 protein expression and sphingomyelin plasma membrane concentration.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Commentary on Blood Cell Agglutination Interference in Complete Blood Count Analysis

  Clinical Chemistry · 2025-03-21

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• An Introduction to the Complete Blood Count for Clinical Chemists: White Blood Cells

  The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine · 2025-01-28 · 4 citations

  review

  BACKGROUND: The most frequently ordered laboratory test worldwide is the complete blood count (CBC). As clinical chemists are increasingly assigned to assist or direct laboratories outside of the traditional clinical chemistry sections, such as the automated hematology section, expertise must be established. This review article is a dedication to that ongoing effort. CONTENT: In this primer, the white blood cell (WBC) test components of the CBC are introduced, followed by a discussion of the laboratory evaluation of leukopenia and leukocytosis. SUMMARY: The laboratorian's approach to consult cases should be guided by the patient's clinical history and presentation while being able to provide key laboratory-based insights to assist in resolving result discrepancies that may otherwise go unnoticed.

  PublisherDOI

• Can Hb A1c Be Greater Than 100%? A Case of Homozygous Hemoglobin J-Iran

  The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine · 2025-03-19

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• ADLM Guidance Document on Coagulation Testing in Patients Using Direct Oral Anticoagulants

  The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine · 2025-09-11

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND: Coagulation testing has an important role in the diagnosis, monitoring, and therapeutic decision-making for patients with abnormal hemostasis. As the field of anticoagulation options has expanded, the introduction of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) drugs has provided an option for patients utilizing drugs that do not require routine monitoring. Patients on these drugs may still need coagulation testing for prognostic purposes, and there are a number of nuances to consider when performing coagulation testing in patients who are prescribed DOACs. CONTENT: This document provides guidance on the tests that may or may not be impacted by the presence of DOACs in the blood. A discussion is provided about specific coagulation tests used and the impact of testing samples with a DOAC present. Options are presented to help mitigate the impact of DOACs on the testing. In addition, this document discusses how to test for and interpret DOAC concentrations in specific patient populations.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Meeting abstracts from the 2022 ANZAED conference

  Journal of Eating Disorders · 2024-03-20

  articleOpen access

  Background: Current efforts by NEDC and ANZAED to implement a credentialing system for eating disorder clinicians aims to achieve a national minimum standard for training in evidence-based interventions.However, there is substantial evidence that clinicians do not reliably deliver core components of evidence-based interventions for eating disorders, even if they have received training, without ongoing supervision.Objective: The present paper describes the development of a fidelity scale, the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Scale for Eating Disorders (CBTS-ED), that aims to measure core competences for delivery of cognitive behavioural therapy for eating disorders (CBT-ED), aligning with national and international standards, that can be used in supervision.Method: A group of 10 international experts in CBT-ED, collaborated to identify key competences for delivery of CBT-ED and develop a valid and reliable scale with high clinical utility to assess competence in CBT-ED.Results: The present paper will describe the core principles of the CBTS-ED; and initial data examining reliability of expert and nonexpert ratings of therapy sessions rated using the CBTS-ED scale. Discussion:The potential utility of the CBTS-ED scale as a tool for self-reflection, training and supervision as well as evaluation of competence and adherence to CBT-ED, and ultimately improving patient outcomes will be discussed. O2.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• An Introduction to the Complete Blood Count for Clinical Chemists: Platelets

  The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine · 2024-03-29 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: The most ordered laboratory test worldwide is the complete blood count (CBC). CONTENT: In this primer, an introduction to platelet testing in the context of the CBC is provided with a discussion of the laboratory evaluation of platelet abnormalities including thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis. SUMMARY: As clinical chemists continue to be tasked to direct laboratories outside of the traditional clinical chemistry sections such as hematology, expertise must be developed. This primer is dedicated to that effort.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• An Introduction to the Complete Blood Count for Clinical Chemists: Red Blood Cells

  The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine · 2024-04-22 · 7 citations

  reviewOpen access

  BACKGROUND: The most frequently ordered laboratory test worldwide is the complete blood count (CBC). CONTENT: In this primer, the red blood cell test components of the CBC are introduced, followed by a discussion of the laboratory evaluation of anemia and polycythemia. SUMMARY: As clinical chemists are increasingly tasked to direct laboratories outside of the traditional clinical chemistry sections such as hematology, expertise must be developed. This review article is a dedication to that effort.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• William E. Winter

  53 shared

• Siân A. McLean

  La Trobe University

  42 shared

• Melissa Pehlivan

  University of Melbourne

  36 shared

• Olivia Wright

  ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture

  36 shared

• Joy Parkinson

  Australian e-Health Research Centre

  36 shared

• Lyza Norton

  University of Melbourne

  36 shared

• Rachel Simeone

  36 shared

• Beth Anne Shelton

  Centre for Clinical Interventions

  36 shared

Education

• M.D.

  University of Cape Town

• B.S.

  University of Cape Town

• Other, Pathology

  Fletcher Allen Health Care

Awards & honors

• Peter A. Drew Award for Humanity in Pathology 2023