Chemistry department welcomes new professor

By Frances Parrish
Special to the Johnsonian

Though he started his college career in chemical engineering, Cliff Harris, assistant professor of chemistry, later changed to chemistry. Photo by Claire VanOstenbridge • vanostenbridgec@mytjnow.comFreshmen aren’t the only new faces on campus. 

The Chemistry Department has a new face of their own.  Dr. Clifton Harris is his name, and CHEM 105 is his game.  Even though he never intended to teach, he is a visiting assistant professor of chemistry, and the Assistant Director of the Eagle STEM Scholar’s program, which gears chemistry and biology students toward Graduate School and a PhD.

Dr. Harris is a part of the INBRE grant (IDeA Networks of BioMedical Research Excellence), which has placed him at Winthrop University to teach and complete research. The INBRE grant also sponsors the Eagle STEM Scholar’s program, which is similar to the Meyerhoff program that Dr. Harris was a graduate of in college.  

Experiencing a rough time in industry, he came to appreciate academia even more. 

“I did not spend nine plus years getting an education not to make a difference,” Harris said.  Winthrop is his first teaching position, and he chose Winthrop because he was impressed by the advanced Chemistry undergraduate research.

Dr. Harris is a Physical Chemist and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from the University of Maryland. He went on to Graduate School at Notre Dame and earned a PhD in Solar Conversion Systems.  

From an early age he was able to understand math, and this skill led to an interest in physics and chemistry. 

Pursuing his new found niche, he studied Chemical Engineering in college. However, he soon switched to Chemistry because he “was more interested in why things happened” and not just that they did. 

Since classes have began, he has already made an impact on at least one student who approached him after class to thank him for making her like science again.

“He is very willing to help, and he definitely tests your mind to get you thinking,” sophomore Heather Landry said. Landry, who is a human nutrition major, said Dr. Harris is very knowledgeable and flexible with his schedule so he can meet with students to answer any questions.  

Dr. Harris is focused on influencing students to pursue scientific programs. 

“It’s all about making an impact. If I don’t, I have failed as a professor,” Harris said.