R. Alex Harbison, MD, MS, FACS

Head and Neck Surgeon

R. Alex Harbison

Appointment Options

Whether you’re seeking a new patient appointment or exploring treatment options and looking for a second opinion, our Siteman care coordinators are ready to assist you.

My Locations

Gary C. Werths Building at Siteman Cancer Center

Gary C. Werths Building at Siteman Cancer Center

On WashU Medicine Campus
4500 Forest Park Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63108

Expertise & Training

Clinical Expertise

  • As a member of our head and neck and thyroid specialist team, Dr. Harbison cares for patients with benign tumors of the head and neck, cancers of unknown primary origin, head and neck cancers, hypopharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, melanoma of the head and neck, nasal cancer, neck masses, oropharyngeal and pharyngeal cancers, parotid and submandibular gland tumors, salivary gland cancer, sarcoma of the head and neck, sinus cancer, skin cancer, thyroid cancer and other thyroid and parathyroid diseases. He also specializes in head and neck surgery, radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules, transoral robotic surgery (TORS), and transoral endocrine surgery for thyroid and parathyroid conditions.

Primary Academic Title

Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology, WashU Medicine

Board Certification

  • 2022: American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
  • 2025: Adult Complex Thyroid/Parathyroid Surgery Focused Practice Designation

Training

  • 2013 - 2014: Intern, General Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
  • 2015 - 2017: T32 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
  • 2014 - 2020: Resident, Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
  • 2020 -2021: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Immunometabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
  • 2021 - 2022: Fellowship, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Education

  • 2009: BS, University of Denver, Denver CO
  • 2013: MD, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
  • 2017: MS, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Research & Select Publications

Research Interest

My research is centered on understanding how tumor polyamine metabolism shapes anti-tumor immune responses. Polyamines are critical immune regulators that play a key role in maintaining homeostasis, but tumors upset this balance resulting in dysregulation of immunity. We are developing novel tools to study the interactions between immune cells and metabolites in the tumor microenvironment. Our group is also developing novel therapeutics targeting cancer cell metabolism to enhance anti-tumor immunity.

Research Publications

Immunotherapeutic strategies in head and neck cancer: challenges and opportunities
Authors:

Liu X, Harbison RA, Varvares MA, Puram SV , Peng G

Journal & Year:

J Clin Invest | 2025

Tumor extracellular vesicle-derived PD-L1 promotes T cell senescence through lipid metabolism reprogramming
Authors:

Ma F, Liu X, Zhang Y, one or more additional authors omitted Harbison RA, one or more additional authors omitted Peng G

Journal & Year:

Sci Transl Med | 2025

A hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state in head and neck cancer: A biomarker for survival with differential prognosis by self-reported race
Authors:

Mazul AL, Barrett TF, Colditz G, one or more additional authors omitted Harbison RA, one or more additional authors omitted Puram SV

Journal & Year:

Med (N Y) | 2024