My research career has focused on the physiology and pathophysiology of the microcirculation, and in recent years, much of our work has been an investigation of the retinal microvascular complications of diabetes and hypertension. Our lab is currently funded with an NIH R01 entitled “Retinal vasculature in hypertension”, and we also have ongoing projects related to other retinal pathologies.

Techniques that we use in the laboratory include intravital microscopy, measurement of microvascular flow, computerized video analysis of microscope images, immunostaining of tissue sections, culturing of retinal microvascular endothelial cells, and various molecular biology techniques and assays.

Below is one of our images of the retinal vasculature (in green) and neuronal nuclei (in red).

Minsup Lee, PhD
Post-Doctoral Fellow
E-mail: minsup.lee@lsuhs.edu

Randa Eshaq, PhD

PostDoctoral Fellow
Email: randa.eshaq@lsuhs.edu

Dr. Randa Eshaq completed her bachelor and master degrees in biomedical engineering from Louisiana Tech University. She got a position as a research associate at LSUHS in the biochemistry department and then switched to the molecular & cellular physiology department. Dr. Eshaq completed her PhD in 2019 at LSUHS and is currently working on her Postdoctoral Fellowship. Her area of specialty is retinal microcirculation and endothelial dysfunction due to pathologies such as diabetes and hypertension.

Dr. Eshaq's current research is focused on changes occurring in the microcirculation due to pathologies such as diabetes and hypertension.

Selected Publications

1. Kaur G, Leskova W and Harris NR. The endothelial glycocalyx and retinal hemodynamics. Pathophysiology 29: 663-677, 2022.
2. Kaur G, Song Y, Xia K, McCarthy K, Zhang F, Linhardt RJ and Harris NR. Effect of high glucose on glycosaminoglycans in cultured retinal endothelial cells and rat retina. Glycobiology. 2022 May 12:cwac029.
3. Kaur G, Rogers J, Rashdan NA, Cruz-Topete D, Pattillo CB, Hartson SD and Harris NR. Hyperglycemia-induced effects on glycocalyx components in the retina. Experimental Eye Research. Dec; 213:108846, 2021.
4. Eshaq RS and Harris NR. The role of tumor necrosis factor- and interferon- in the hyperglycemia-induced ubiquitination and loss of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 in rat retinal endothelial cells. Microcirculation. Oct; e12717, 2021.
5. Lee M, Leskova W, Eshaq RS and Harris NR. Retinal hypoxia and angiogenesis with methamphetamine. Experimental Eye Research. May; 206:108540, 2021. 

Complete List of my Published Work in MyBibliography: LEARN MORE
 

Post-doctoral Fellows

While we are not currently recruiting Post-doctoral Fellows, quality candidates will always be considered.  To enquire about opportunities, contact Dr. Harris at norman.harris@lsuhs.edu.

Graduate Students

Graduate students interested in conducting research in the Harris lab should review the current laboratory research directions and contact Dr. Harris at norman.harris@lsuhs.edu.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

We are not currently hiring any additional undergraduates. However, positions can become available during the summer.

Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows

The Harris laboratory has a number of research projects available for any Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows. Those interested should contact Dr. Harris at norman.harris@lsuhs.edu for more information.