CommenCement - University of Houston

tHe University Of HOUstOn President’s MedAlliOn
Bernard a. harris Jr., md, mBa, facp
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner
Vesalius Ventures
Dr. Bernard Harris is being awarded a President’s Medallion for his contributions as
a distinguished UH alumus, former astronaut, the first African American to walk in
space, a pioneer in modern medicine and as the current CEO and managing partner of
Vesalius Ventures, Inc., a venture capital firm that invest in early to mid stage healthcare
technologies and companies. Harris also has served on numerous UH advisory boards,
including the College of Technology advisory board, and President’s National Advisory
Board among others.
Prior to his work with Vesalius Ventures, Harris was at NASA for 10 years, where he conducted research in
musculoskeletal physiology and disuse osteoporosis. Later, as head of the Exercise Countermeasure Project, he
conducted clinical investigations of space adaptation and developed in-flight medical devices to extend astronaut
stays in space, which involved the use of telemetry. A veteran astronaut for more than fifteen years, he has logged
over 438 hours and traveled over 7.2 million miles in space.
Harris served as vice president and chief scientist of SPACEHAB, Inc., an innovative space commercialization
company, and later served as vice president of business development for Space Media, Inc., an Informatics company,
establishing an e-commerce initiative. He also is on a number of boards and is an active consultant for institutions
such as the Houston Angel Network, Houston Technology Center and the NASA Aerospace Safety Panel. Harris
is the founder and president of the Harris Foundation, which supports math and science education and crime
prevention programs for America’s youth.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Houston, a Master of Medical Science from
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration from the University
of Houston and a Doctorate of Medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. He is the recipient of
numerous awards and honorary doctorates, including the NASA Space Flight Medal, NASA Award of Merit and the
2000 Horatio Alger Award.
d. rOnald (rOn) harrell, p.e.
D. Ronald “Ron” Harrell is being awarded a President’s Medallion for his continued
support and contributions to the University of Houston as both a generous donor and
found member and current chair of the UH Petroleum Engineering Advisory Board.
His contributions are especially appreciated because he is not a University of Houston
alumus, but is very much a valued friend and leader.
Harrell, a petroleum engineering (magna cum laude) graduate of Louisiana Tech
University, maintained a consulting practice more than 40 years and continues as
chairman emeritus of Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Consultants. He relinquished
the CEO position in 2005 and retired as chairman in May 2006. He served as a
Society of Petroleum Engineers lecturer in 2007-2008 and made 34 presentations in 17 countries. He is a licensed
petroleum engineer in three states, has received numerous industry and academic awards and is an honorary life
member of SPE and SPEE.
Harrell continues to lead in establishing Professional Petroleum Reserves Evaluation Standards through industry
committees, conferences and frequent speaking engagements. He has authored dozens of technical papers,
articles and book chapters and he remains active in the industry in several capacities and serves on several boards
of directors, including public and private corporations, universities and other not-for-profit organizations.