Bernard Harris

Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. is a highly accomplished Venture Partner and Senior Advisor with a diverse background spanning medicine, space exploration, education, and business. His academic achievements include a BS in Biology and an MBA from the University of Houston, an MMedSc from the University of Texas, and a Doctorate of Medicine from the Texas Tech University School of Medicine. Dr. Harris completed his medical training with an Internal Medicine Residency at the Mayo Clinic and an Endocrinology fellowship at NASA Ames.

A veteran NASA astronaut of over 30 years, Dr. Harris has logged over 7.2 million miles in space and made history as the first African-American to walk in space. His trailblazing contributions to space exploration will be permanently recognized with his induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in May 2025. Earlier in his tenure at NASA, he was a dedicated researcher for 10 years, developing critical in-flight medical devices designed to extend astronaut stays in space.

In the business world, Dr. Harris served as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Vesalius Ventures. Committed to improving education, he also served as the former CEO and Executive Director of the National Math & Science Initiative, working to enhance teacher effectiveness and student achievement. For over 25 years, he has championed math and science education through his philanthropy as the Founder of The Harris Institute and Foundation.

Dr. Harris is a valued board member for several major corporations, including Raytheon Technologies, MassMutual, Solventum, and U.S. Physical Therapy, and his past board service includes Salient Midstream, Barings Fund, the Texas Medical Center, and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. He is the author of Dream Walker: A Journey of Achievement and Inspiration (2010) and the forthcoming Embracing Infinite Possibilities: Letting Go Of Fear To Find Your Highest Potential (2025). His numerous honors include the NASA Space Flight Medal and NASA Award of Merit, the Horatio Alger Award, the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, and membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Furthermore, he has received nine honorary doctorates from institutions such as Stony Brook University (SUNY), Morehouse School of Medicine, and the University of Houston.