Richard Harbison, MD, MS

Clinical Expertise

Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Cancer

Research Interest

My research is centered on understanding the complex interactions between cancer and the immune system, with a particular focus on how metabolism influences these interactions. A key aspect of my research involves investigating how diet-induced metabolic alterations affect the tumor microenvironment and subsequently modulate anti-tumor immune cell function. In parallel, we are working to identify how malignant cells manipulate the local metabolic milieu to evade the anti-tumor immune response. Our goal is to identify metabolic vulnerabilities within the tumor microenvironment that can be targeted to enhance anti-tumor immunity paving the way for innovative treatments that harness the full potential of the immune system to combat cancer.

Education

• 2009: BS, University of Denver, Denver CO
• 2013: MD, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
• 2017: MS, University of Washington Seattle, WA

Training

• 2013 - 2014: Intern, General Surgery , University of Washington, Seattle, WA
• 2015 - 2017: T32 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, University of Washington , Seattle, WA
• 2014 - 2020: Resident, Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery , University of Washington, Seattle, WA
• 2020 - 2021: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Immunometabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
• 2021 - 2022: Fellowship, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Board Certification

• 2022: American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Selected Research Publications