Dr. Sandra Harris-Hooker
Sandra Harris-Hooker, Ph.D. is currently the Senior Vice President for External Affairs and Innovation, Interim Executive Director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute, and Professor in the Department of Pathology at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). Throughout her tenure at MSM, Dr. Harris-Hooker has held a variety of leadership roles, including Vice President and Executive Vice Dean for Research, Interim Dean of Academic Affairs, and Executive Vice Dean. Dr. Harris-Hooker and her cardiovascular pathology team contributed to a groundbreaking study on the response of blood vessel cells to injury in a microgravity environment which was featured on NASA’s historic Discovery (STS-95) space shuttle flight. While her primary research focus has been coronary heart disease, she is also passionate about bridging the gap between basic, clinical, and population-based research to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, disparities in health
Dr. Harris-Hooker joined MSM over 30 years ago from Boston University School of Medicine, drawn to the institution’s dynamic atmosphere and the opportunity to help shape its future through teaching, mentoring, and research training for minority students. She has earned numerous honors and actively contributes to several boards and committees. Dr. Harris-Hooker holds a B.S. from Dillard University and a Ph.D. from Atlanta University. She completed a three-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Cardiovascular Training Program within the Department of Pathology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington. Following her training in Seattle, she joined the faculty in the Department of Pathology at Boston University School of Medicine before coming to Morehouse School of Medicine.