James andrew harris nuclear chemist biography channel
James andrew harris contribution to science.
James andrew harris nuclear chemist biography channel
James Andrew Harris
African American nuclear chemist
James Andrew Harris (March 26, 1932 – December 12, 2000) was an American radiochemist who was involved in the discovery of elements 104 and 105 (rutherfordium and dubnium, respectively).
Harris was the head of the Heavy Isotopes Production Group, part of the Nuclear Chemistry Division of the University of California, Berkeley. Harris is known for being the first African American to contribute to the discovery of new elements.[1]
Personal life
James A.
Harris was born on March 26, 1932, in Waco, Texas.[2] Harris' parents divorced when he was young, after which he moved to Oakland, California with his mother.[1] Harris met his wife Helen at Huston-Tillotson College, where they were both completing their undergraduate studies; they were married in 1957 and had five children, Cedric, Keith, Hilda, Kimberly, and James II.
Between the time of his graduation from college and his marriage, Harris wa