First renderings of USC's Brain Health Center unveiled
September 10, 2024, Collyn Taylor
USC's Board of Trustees approved the first designs of USC's state-of-the-art center, which will serve as the hub for the university's Brain Health Network.
2024 Archive
Anna Hoppmann leads pediatric cancer research effort
September 10, 2024, Chris Horn
Anna Hoppmann is a pediatric oncologist with Prisma Health and a clinical assistant professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia where she graduated nine years ago. She also chairs the S.C. Childhood Cancer Taskforce, which recently released a 25-year trend report on childhood cancer incidence, survival and mortality in South Carolina.
USC health science researchers play critical role in first-ever S.C. pediatric cancer report
September 04, 2024, Laura Morris
A new report led by the state Department of Public Health provides a comprehensive look at the burden of childhood cancer in the Palmetto State over the past 25 years. University of South Carolina health science researchers played a critical role in developing the report; additional partners include the South Carolina Children’s Hospital Collaborative and the South Carolina Cancer Alliance.
USC research funding jumps double digits
September 03, 2024, Dan Cook
The University of South Carolina reached a new research milestone in fiscal year 2024, attracting $309 million in sponsored awards during the one-year period that ended on June 30. This year’s funding level represents a double-digit percentage increase over last year in critical areas such as health research and energy innovation.
New faculty spotlight: Betty Wilson
August 23, 2024, Gregory Hardy
As Betty Wilson begins this fall as an assistant professor at the College of Social Work, she sees it as a return to her community. The research interests of the two-time USC graduate and South Carolina native cover community-police relations, criminal justice reform, historical and racial trauma, and family and community resilience.
New faculty profile: Susan Newman
August 19, 2024, Gregory Hardy
One of Susan Newman’s newest missions for improving the health of South Carolinians is to encourage more individuals with disabilities to explore nursing careers. The USC health sciences endowed professor joined the nursing faculty in July for a role that allows her to increase training opportunities for health care providers—particularly nurses who work with individuals with disabilities—and expand her research efforts.
USC and Lexington Medical Center open innovative facility to train nurses
August 12, 2024, Gregory Hardy
The University of South Carolina and Lexington Medical Center opened a new 52,000 square foot facility to train the next generation of nurses Monday (Aug. 12). Located on Lexington Medical Center’s West Columbia campus, the satellite clinical education building will be used primarily for the clinical training of the College of Nursing's third- and fourth-year nursing bachelor’s students as well as master’s program students.
New endowed chair brings focus in Alzheimer's drug research
July 31, 2024, Chris Horn
Qun Lu’s quest to develop an effective drug treatment for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases has brought him to the University of South Carolina. Lu, who joined USC in January as the new SmartState Endowed Chair in Neurotherapeutics Chemical Biology, has developed, with his research team, novel therapeutic molecules that have demonstrated effectiveness in rodent models that mimic Alzheimer’s disease.
Training offers resources to reduce burnout and improve wellness for health care workers
July 11, 2024, Carol J.G. Ward
A team at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work has developed a series of online training sessions to combat health worker burnout.
Extreme heat can be dangerous for runners, cyclists and anyone spending time outdoors: 6 tips for staying safe
June 20, 2024, Susan Yeargin
When summer starts with a stifling heat wave, as many states are seeing in 2024, it can pose risks for just about anyone who spends time outside, whether they’re runners, people who walk or cycle to work, outdoor workers or kids playing sports. Susan Yeargin, an expert on heat-related illnesses, explains what everyone should think about before spending time outside in a heat wave and how to keep yourself and vulnerable family members and friends safe.
Bringing the community into the classroom for social work success
June 13, 2024, Gregory Hardy
College of Social Work professor Ann Gowdy sees it as her goal to equip her students with the knowledge that people with lived experience should be invited to the table to talk about housing issues and solutions. One of the most effective ways she’s found to demonstrate to graduate students the need for rural social work is by hosting guest speakers from community organizations who can further their understanding by making deeper connections.
New approach to treating heart failure
June 12, 2024, Chris Horn
A multidisciplinary research team at the University of South Carolina is developing a novel technique for injecting a next-generation therapeutic drug onto damaged heart tissue, a potential breakthrough treatment for millions diagnosed with heart failure.
Introducing USC's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing
June 06, 2024, Gregory Hardy
The University of South Carolina College of Engineering and Computing has a new name that reflects the vision and generosity of generations of the Molinaroli family. The official name, the University of South Carolina Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, was announced on Thursday (June 6) during a signage unveiling ceremony at the college’s Swearingen Engineering Center on Main Street.
Health Watch: Pharmacists play important role in managing hypertension
May 20, 2024, Gregory Hardy
USC’s College of Pharmacy is raising awareness that pharmacists can help patients and their medical providers manage high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It is a leading factor in heart attacks, stroke and chronic cardiovascular issues.
USC opens Sumter Brain Health clinic, expands cognitive care
May 14, 2024, Laura Morris
The University of South Carolina opened a Brain Health clinic in Sumter during a ribbon cutting event on Monday (May 13) — expanding cognitive care to patients in rural and underserved areas of South Carolina.
2024 hurricane faculty experts list
May 01, 2024, Laura Morris
The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1. Researchers at the University of South Carolina are available to discuss multiple aspects of the 2024 hurricane season, including preparation and communication, environmental impact and historical perspectives.
Autism-related research part of wide-ranging USC focus on neuroscience
April 24, 2024, Communications and Marketing
The University of South Carolina is focused on the brain. From autism and aphasia to Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, university researchers are working across several academic disciplines to better understand how the brain works and to develop solutions that will improve people’s health.
Big Data Health Science Center brings big minds, big ideas
April 22, 2024, Gregory Hardy
Because data will play such a large role in the future of health care, the University of South Carolina launched the Big Data Health Science Center in 2019. The center held its fifth annual Big Data Health Science Conference in February, which attracted almost 100 presenters from five countries and 269 attendees. Here’s the big picture for what’s next for the Big Data Health Science Center and its supporters to accelerate cutting-edge research and discovery.
Health Watch: How to safely dispose of medicine and supplements
April 18, 2024, Laura Morris
Jordan M. Ballou, a College of Pharmacy clinical associate professor, explains how to properly dispose of medication and supplements. With 40 percent of prescribed medications going unused, it’s important to reduce accidental or intentional misuse and limit environmental impact.
Flying fast into opportunities
April 15, 2024, Gregory Hardy
Ashley Poyner is rapidly learning all about aerospace. As a first-gen student, she is earning her bachelor of science degree in engineering in only three years. A lot of doors also opened thanks to her acceptance into the Boeing Accelerated Leadership Program.
Remedies for diet-related diseases expand when Food is Medicine
April 04, 2024, Gregory Hardy
Where is it most difficult to access healthy food in South Carolina? It’s an important question. More than half a million South Carolinians experience food insecurity. National data shows that those impacted the most are Black, Latino or from indigenous, low-income and rural communities.
2024 artificial intelligence faculty experts list
April 03, 2024, Gregory Hardy
University of South Carolina researchers explore how artificial intelligence can be used for advancements in health care, education, manufacturing, energy, disaster management and transportation. They are also helping shape and inform the ethics and policies surrounding these emergent solutions.
The neurological underpinnings of social behavior
March 29, 2024, Chris Horn
Scientists at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia are researching important linkages between brain mitochondrial function and social behavior that could lead to a better understanding of autism spectrum disorder and post-partum depression.
2024 Autism Acceptance Month: USC faculty experts list
March 28, 2024, Gregory Hardy
April is Autism Acceptance Month. The CDC estimates that 1 out of every 36 eight-year-olds is affected by autism, a lifelong developmental disorder. As South Carolina’s leader in health sciences, USC has researchers across disciplines who specialize in autism.
Medical, pharmacy students match for residencies, shape future of health care
March 22, 2024, Laura Morris
More than 200 Gamecocks learned where they’ll work as resident pharmacists and physicians during national Match Day events on March 13 and 15.
A new understanding of how the fragile X premutation affects women
March 21, 2024, Gregory Hardy
Two decades ago, experts did not think fragile X carriers could have symptoms. Since then, research has revealed that mothers of children with fragile X who carry the FMR1 premutation are at risk for cognitive and physical health problems, which can be exacerbated by the stress of caregiving.
Researcher hopes to improve access to emerging therapies for autism
March 08, 2024, Chris Horn
Prevalence of autism among children is rising, but access to new, evidence-based interventions is often spotty at best, an obstacle that one University of South Carolina clinician hopes to improve through her research.
USC chemist elected to National Academy of Engineering
March 07, 2024, Hannah Cambre
Susan Richardson was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Engineering for her pioneering work in improving water quality by measuring disinfection byproducts.
USC youth summer camps 2024
March 01, 2024, Communications and Marketing
With only a few short months until summer, it’s time for parents to find summer activities for their children. USC offers a wide variety of summer camps for all ages and all interests from music to soccer, dance and engineering.
A different kind of dean at a different kind of medical school
February 23, 2024, Megan Sexton
The School of Medicine Greenville, led by Dean Marjorie Jenkins is committed to educating and producing a new type of physician, offering a technologically advanced medical school environment, and addressing an ongoing shortage of doctors in a rapidly growing state.
Improving care in the Stroke Belt
February 19, 2024, Communications and Marketing
As the state’s flagship institution, the University of South Carolina is well has many strengths in both research and treatment of stroke and aphasia — a common consequence of stroke characterized by difficulty speaking or understanding others’ speech. The research is critically important in the state with the seventh-highest incidence of stroke mortality in the U.S.
Strategies for Parents, Part II: Managing emotional behavior for children
February 14, 2024, Gregory Hardy
It’s natural for anyone to become anxious or scared about entering a new environment. As children cope with their anxieties, parents can help by building routines to follow.
2024 heart health faculty experts list
February 09, 2024, Gregory Hardy
February is American Heart Month. The University of South Carolina is home to many faculty members who are available to offer their expertise in cardio care and research.
US News: USC retains No. 1 ranking in online master's in nursing
February 05, 2024, Megan Sexton
For the fourth straight year, the University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing is ranked No. 1 in the country for its online master’s in nursing program, according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual online program rankings released Wednesday (Feb. 7).
Carolinian Spotlight: Patti Fabel
January 24, 2024
When Patti Fabel was named executive director at USC’s Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center in 2017, the move marked a new phase in the clinical associate professor’s career.
AI and data science: The new frontier of autism research
January 16, 2024, Chris Horn
Analyzing large datasets of heart rhythms and brain wave activity with AI and machine learning, a team of University of South Carolina professors is making progress toward better understanding of autism spectrum disorder and identification of ASD diagnostic biomarkers.
FoodShare SC increases online access, reduces food insecurity
January 11, 2024, Laura Morris
FoodShare South Carolina received approval from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP online for purchases of fruits and vegetables sold through its Fresh Food Box program. FoodShare SC is one of only a few community-based organizations in the nation selected to participate in the online purchasing program.
Research center combats spread of HIV, STIs in rural communities
January 09, 2024, Megan Sexton
Rates of sexually transmitted infections and HIV are higher in rural communities than urban areas in South Carolina. The Rural and Minority Health Research Center is working to understand and address the problem.
Strategies for Parents, Part I: Teaching problem solving to children
January 05, 2024, Gregory Hardy
It’s inevitable that children of all ages will struggle with the social and academic expectations of their years in school. Parents can easily feel overwhelmed with providing answers, especially as children continue to struggle with stress and anxiety from the disruptions of pandemic shutdowns. Cheri Shapiro, a research professor in the University of South Carolina’s College of Social Work and the director of USC’s Institute for Families in Society, focuses her research on prevention of social, emotional and behavioral problems in youth and implementation of evidence-based interventions in community settings.
Redefining the future of rural health
January 02, 2024, Gregory Hardy
In January, Kevin Bennett has started his term as president of the National Rural Health Association. He’ll be working to turn years of research into policy and action, continuing the impactful work he's spearheaded in South Carolina at the national level.