Morgan Harris

Morgan Harris (May 25, 1916 – February 14, 2005) was an American cell biologist and professor at the University of California, Berkeley. His research using animal cell culture examined somatic-cell variation, drug resistance, and heritable changes in gene activity that did not result from changes in DNA sequence, an early contribution to the study of epigenetics. He was one of the founders of the American Society for Cell Biology.

Harris was also a rock climber in Yosemite Valley during the 1930s. He was credited with 14 first ascents in the valley, including the first ascent of the big wall climbing climb known as the Royal Arches Route, and he established several other routes with David Brower. Harris also first climbed the Shaky Leg Crack route on the east face of Mount Whitney.

Early life, education, and academic career

Harris was born May 25, 1916, in St. Anthony, Idaho, and he grew up in Oakland, California. He formed a birdwatching club with classmates while in high school; the members continued to meet annually many decades later. He completed a Ph.D. in embryology in three years, finishing in 1941, focused on the differentiation and growth of gastrular anlagen implanted into tadpoles.

Harris initially taught general zoology and comparative vertebrate anatomy despite having been hired as a cell biologist.

In 1964, Harris published Cell Culture and Somatic Variation. The book surveyed embryological development, microbial genetics, cell culture methods, chromosome variation, cellular nutrition, tumor production, and viral transformation. Much of his work focused on the epigenetic origin of long-term, heritable cellular change and gene activity. Miller Institute Research Professorship at Berkeley (1963–1965).

Royal Arches

Harris was one of the team that made the first ascent of the Royal Arches Route in Yosemite Valley, one of the Fifty Classic Climbs of North America. He studied the Royal Arches terrain from the valley floor with binoculars before attempting the route.

Ansel Adams photograph

Harris frequently climbed with David Brower, and with the photographer Ansel Adams; Adams photographed Harris and Brower on a summit in the Minarets. Harris married Lola Houston in 1989, and she survived him.

Harris died of pneumonia on February 14, 2005, at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center.