Rate My Professor Vicki Harwood

Valerie Harwood is Distinguished University Professor, Chair of the Department of Integrative Biology, and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida. She earned a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1992, a B.A. in Biology from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1983, and a B.A. in French from Iowa State University in 1980. Her career at USF began as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology in 1998, with promotions to Associate Professor in 2004, Professor in 2010, and Chair of Integrative Biology in 2014. Earlier roles include Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Sciences at the University of North Florida from 1995 to 1998 and Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Maryland Center for Marine Biotechnology from 1992 to 1995.

Harwood's research in environmental microbiology examines water quality, microbial source tracking to pinpoint fecal pollution sources, persistence of fecal indicator bacteria like Enterococcus and E. coli in subtropical waters and sediments, and the population biology and virulence of Vibrio vulnificus. Key publications include "Enterococci in the environment" (Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 2012; 1060 citations), "Persistence and differential survival of fecal indicator bacteria in subtropical waters and sediments" (Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2005; 916 citations), "Microbial source tracking markers for detection of fecal contamination in environmental waters: relationships between pathogens and human health outcomes" (FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 2014; 836 citations), and "Validity of the indicator organism paradigm for pathogen reduction in reclaimed water and public health protection" (Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2005; 757 citations). Among her honors are Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (2022), Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2021), American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer (2014-2016), Fulbright Scholar (2014), Ivan Roth Award (2012), and USF Outstanding Faculty Award (2015). She serves as Editor for mBio (since 2022), has held editorial roles with Applied and Environmental Microbiology, chaired ASM Division Q (2014-2015), and leads grants from the EPA, NSF, and Water Research Foundation on antibiotic resistance and MST. Harwood has mentored 17 Ph.D. and 9 Master's graduates, contributing to advancements in beach water quality monitoring, stormwater management, and public health policy.