Bernard Harris

As a former NASA astronaut and the first African American to walk in space, Dr. Bernard Harris, Jr. boasts a distinguished career in space exploration, healthcare technology, venture capitalism, and philanthropy. Driven by a passion for innovation and education, he has dedicated his life to inspiring the next generation of explorers and leaders.

Harris serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vesalius Ventures, Inc., a venture capital firm investing in early-stage healthcare technologies. He is also the founder and CEO of The Harris Foundation, a nonprofit that serves socially and economically disadvantaged communities in the Houston metropolitan area and across the nation. He is the former Chief Executive Officer at the National Math and Science Initiative, where he led the organization’s efforts to improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement in communities across the country.

Dr. Harris was at NASA for ten years, where he conducted research in musculoskeletal physiology and clinical investigations of space adaptation and developed in-flight medical devices to extend astronaut stays in space. A veteran astronaut for over twenty years, he logged more than 438 hours and traveled over 7.2 million miles in space.

A member of the Board of Directors for U.S. Physical Therapy, JSA Health, and Monebo Technologies, Dr. Harris serves on the Board of Trustees for Salient Midstream & MLP Fund and Salient MF Trust, and Barings Fund & Trust. In addition, he was the former Chair and board member of the Texas Medical Center.

Dr. Harris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Houston, a master's of medical science from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Houston, and a Doctorate of Medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, a National Research Council Fellowship in Endocrinology at the NASA Ames Research Center and trained as a Flight Surgeon at the Aerospace School of Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base. He is also a licensed private pilot and certified scuba diver.

Dr. Harris is the recipient of numerous awards, including honorary doctorates from Stony Brook University, Morehouse School of Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Washington & Jefferson College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Hartford and Indiana Institute of Technology, NASA Space Flight Medal, NASA Award of Merit, a fellow of the American College of Physicians, and was the recipient of the 2000 Horatio Alger Award.

He is the author of “Dream Walker: A Journey of Achievement and Inspiration.”