Susan K. Harry, MLS, CPC

Laboratory and Safety Coordinator

 

Susan graduated from the University of Rio Grande with a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and
has accumulated over 30 years of experience in the medical laboratory field. Throughout her career, she
has held a variety of roles, ranging from performing biological testing to management. In 2022, Susan
made a career jump to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Veterinary Medicine.

In her role as the Department of Veterinary Medicine's Laboratory and Safety Coordinator, Susan offers
technical guidance and services pertaining to environmental health, regulatory compliance, and safety
issues for faculty, staff, and students. She collaborates with the UAF Fire Marshal and UAF
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management to address safety concerns effectively. Susan is
responsible for organizing mandatory safety training and overseeing safety protocols in our laboratories
and classrooms. You can also find her occasionally in the lab with students sharing some clinical
laboratory skills.

During her time in the medical laboratory field, Susan had the opportunity to train under the late Dr.
James H. Anderson, former biosciences librarian for the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Under his
guidance, she developed the skill of counting local pollen and began sharing this valuable information
with the local community. The data has proven valuable not only to allergy sufferers but the scientists
worldwide studying climate change. Susan continues to provide the count through One Tree Alaska and
Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension bringing it back to the university.

Although Susan has called Alaska home for nearly 30 years, she originally hails from Ohio. When she's
not working, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her family and three furry canine
companions.

Certifications:
Medical Laboratory Scientist, American Medical Technologists
Certified Pollen Counter, Multidata LLC

Publications:
Makra L, Coviello L, Gobbi A, Harry SK et al. Forecasting daily total pollen concentrations on a global
scale. Allergy. 2024;79(8):2173-2185. doi:10.1111/all.16227

Ziska LH, Makra L, Harry SK, et al. Temperature-related changes in airborne allergenic pollen abundance
and seasonality across the northern hemisphere: a retrospective data analysis [published correction
appears in Lancet Planet Health. 2019 Nov;3(11):e446. doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(19)30219-0]. Lancet
Planet Health. 2019;3(3):e124-e131. doi:10.1016/S2542-5196(19)30015-4