2024 News Archive

Staff Spotlight: Katie Annan

Katie Annan's connections to USC go back more than 20 years. But did you know that she played in the Carolina Band? Is an avid runner (half marathons are a favorite)? Has a four-year-old son who loves Gamecock football?

Mentees become mentors. Public health alumni oversee students for the same course that launched their own careers

Maya Smith and Lexie McIntosh both work in areas connecting adults with health and well-being resources, they both give back to their alma mater through mentorship, and they both have the same advice for current/future students.

Bridging the health care gap

USC features the rural health research and practice from faculty, staff and students across the university, with the Rural and Minority Health Research Center as one of the key leaders for these initiatives.

Jihong Liu wins national award for excellence in mentoring, teaching maternal and child health

The Coalition for Excellence in MCH Epidemiology recognized Jihong Liu with the 2024 National Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring.

I Am Public Health: Gitanjali Lall

A student in the Ph.D. in HPEB program, Gitanjali Lall uses principles of developmental psychology to improve community health and fundamentals of public health intervention research to improve early childhood development.

New grant will help researchers understand ways to reduce e-cigarette and cigarette use among teens

Health promotion, education, and behavior professor Jim Thrasher will investigate how social influences - particularly those through social media - impact teens' decisions to smoke and use e-cigarettes.

New research finds free summer programming reduces BMI gains, promotes health equity among children

A recent study showed that free summer programming successfully reduced children's Body Mass Index (BMI), whereas participants in the control group experienced increases in their BMIs during the summer months.

USC partners with health systems and patients to address chronic illness care across S.C.

Funded by an $11 million grant, USC’s new Center for Clinical and Translational Research allows health science researchers to take a new approach to addressing chronic health conditions and reduce patient hardships across the state.

Athletic trainers recognized for improving profession, patient care through legislative lobbying

The National Athletic Trainers' Association and Board of Certification, Inc. recently honored the South Carolina Athletic Trainers' Association with awards for achieving legislation to require licensure for the profession.

Doctoral student awarded funding to improve performance of tactical personnel

Earlier this year, Gianna Mastrofini was selected by the National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation to receive the organization's Women's Scholarship. More recently, they awarded her a $15,000 Graduate Research Grant.

From psychological to societal. Assistant professor unravels the layers of health determinants to promote equity

This fall, Lauren Fowler joined FIRST FIIRRE as an assistant professor of health promotion, education, and behavior. She uses transdisciplinary, mixed methods to look at how multi-level health determinants contribute to mental health inequities.

Staff Spotlight: Peyton Mosher

As the program coordinator for Maternal and Child Health training, Mosher helps implement the two major workforce development grants awarded Liu to bolster MCH training and curriculum opportunities at USC.

Dismantling social oppression to advance childhood nutritional health equity

Danielle Krobath's goal is to prevent and eliminate nutrition-related chronic disease disparities among children and families, and the epidemiology assistant professor has adopted a very broad lens to guide her approach.

I Am Public Health: Thomas Christensen

Thomas Christensen helps people age-in-place. His goal is to support adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities stay where they are, and he's using communication sciences and disorders to do it.

Montgomery Clinic wins two awards from The State's Best

The Montgomery Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic for being voted as The State's Best yet again for Best Speech Therapy and Best Audiology/Hearing Center by the annual competition hosted by The State Newspaper.

CDC features SC CPCRN Scholars program

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention features the success of the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network Scholars program, which was launched in 2021 by the CPCRNs at USC, UNC, and Emory.

Prevention Research Center receives five more years of funding to conduct applied public health research

2024 has been a banner year for the USC Prevention Research Center, which received its highest funding award to date (nearly $5 million) plus additional funding for two special interest projects.

Research assistant professor examines how high-stress populations adapt to exercise, diet, medicine

James Stampley's expertise focuses on the metabolic and bioenergetic adaptations humans make in response to exercise, dietary and medical interventions, particularly for high-stress populations.

Leadership award recognizes USC aging expertise, enables professor to launch training program to diversify research workforce

The National Institutes of Health has selected one of the university's foremost aging and health communication researchers, Daniela Friedman, as the recipient of a National Institute on Aging K07 Academic Leadership Career Award.

Researcher uses statistics to decode the genetics of aging and cancer

Enakshi Saha joined the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics to continue her research on tailoring therapy to individual genetic backgrounds. She was attracted to Arnold school's reputation for high-impact research.

Nutrition Consortium links researchers across university, showcases growing expertise

At USC, scientists come together from public health, nursing, psychology, social work, retail, economics, student health, medicine, computer science, engineering, and earth and ocean sciences.

Your ears might save you from chronic pain. And help end the opioid epidemic

Can acupuncture be used to treat chronic pain? Researchers will soon know, thanks to a new $4 million grant from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Staff Spotlight: Tiffony Burnes

Last fall, Tiffony Burnes joined the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. As an administrative assistant, she oversees travel processing, helps with student hiring, and provides scheduling and other support.

Katie Hirsch wins Nutritional Research Achievement Award from National Strength and Conditioning Association

The NSCA has selected exercise science assistant professor Katie Hirsch as the winner of the 2024 Nutritional Research Achievement Award for breakthroughs and contributions to the field of athlete nutritional research.

Researcher uses psychology to understand, improve health behaviors

Amanda Rebar joined the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior as an associate professor and looks forward to continuing her work applying biostatistics to understand how motivation, feelings, and behavior change over time.

Epidemiology graduate to improve healthy growth during early childhood

During her time in the Ph.D. in Epidemiology program, Xuanxuan Zhu zeroed in on maternal and child health, developing research interests in pediatric epidemiology and physical activity epidemiology.

USC health science researchers play critical role in first-ever S.C. pediatric cancer report

Arnold School faculty Anthony Alberg, Elizabeth Crouch, and Rahul Ghosal and alumni Bezawit Kase, Stephanie Chiodini, & Virginie Daguise were proud to contribute to this important project.

I Am Public Health: Ibitein Okeafor

During her Ph.D. in HSPM program, the Norman J. Arnold Doctoral Fellow has taught MHA courses and gained research experience as a graduate assistant and Junior Scholar with the Center for Healthcare Quality.

Epidemiology alumna returns to Arnold School as clinical assistant professor

A 2012 graduate of the Arnold School's Ph.D. in Epidemiology program, Nelís Soto-Ramírez gained a dozen years of professional and research experience before returning to the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics as a clinical assistant professor.

Stroke expert continues aphasia research in Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders as assistant professor

Sigfus Kristinsson came to USC so he could conduct the type of research that he wished he had access to as a speech-language pathologist. He wanted to help answer the questions that he and other clinicians face when treating patients.

Research experience, custom major prep undergrad for career in food policy and research

Honors student Audrey Richards will not only have the words "Food Policy and Research" on her diploma when she graduates next May, she'll have the expertise to pursue a career in the field.

Health insurance market expert joins Department of Health Services Policy and Management

HSPM's newest assistant professor has more than two decades of public policy experience. David Anderson brings both an insider view and a population level perspective to his research on individual choice health insurance markets.

C-Scholar Program success leads to additional funding, cohorts

When the USC Big Data Health Science Center envisioned a community-scholar program to train practitioners in the use of data science in their health-related work, their goal was to make it a long-term initiative.

Rural and Minority Health Research Center marks 25 years with fifth funding cycle award

Scientists at the center will celebrate their 25 anniversary this year after recently securing an additional $2.8 million for the fifth consecutive funding cycle.

Where epidemiology and entomology meet. Research assistant professor specializes in protecting human health from vector-borne diseases

The Arnold School has already been home to Kyndall Dye-Braumuller for the past five years, and the Ph.D. in Epidemiology graduate ('22) and postdoctoral fellow recently accepted a research assistant professor position.

Lebanese speech-language pathologist completes master's degree to treat adults in acute settings

Nadia Sabeh Ayon has determined that her calling is to treat adults in acute care settings. She is particularly interested in swallowing and voice disorders and enjoys working with patients who have aphasia, stuttering and selective mutism.

Long-time speech-language pathologist joins Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders as clinical instructor

During her 25-year career, Ariana Silverstein has worked in public schools and private practice settings. She also spent three years at her master's alma mater as a clinical supervisor and instructor.

Physical therapy graduate to serve U.S. military soldiers and veterans

After graduating this month, Lemir Lira plans to specialize in orthopedics and become a Physical Therapy Officer in the U.S. Army to serve the military members who sacrifice so much and work tirelessly to keep the country safe.

Staff Spotlight: Mychelle Harris

As the training administrator for the Center for Community Health Alignment, Harris has been an integral part of the training conducted for community health workers and their allies. She handles logistics and supports the training team.

Fulbright scholar investigates promising cancer therapy

Diana Clark, a biological sciences major who is minoring in health promotion, education, and behavior, spent her summer researching a new method for treating cancer cells.

I Am Public Health: Bonnie Ertel

Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences student Bonnie Ertel studies plastic pollution - how it originates, how it travels, where it ends up, and how these microplastics impact the environment, animals and human health.

Physical therapy graduate committed to serving rural South Carolina

Kinsey Brantley will launch her career as a physical therapist at McLeod Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Cheraw, returning to Chesterfield County to serve her rural hometown community.

Katya Altman selected as Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow

In February, the Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences alumna began a one-year John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Sea Grant College Program.

USC researchers recognized with manuscript awards in two athletic training journals

Papers published by researchers in the Department of Exercise Science have been selected as the nationwide winners of outstanding manuscript awards from two major athletic training journals.

Staff Spotlight: Matt McGrievy

The Director for Information Services is responsible for more than 1,500 web pages, communications/marketing activities and approximately 50 projects that range from study recruitment websites to wellness assessments.

Environmental health sciences welcomes soil scientist Andrea Jilling

Andrea Jilling is an associate professor, whose research focuses on how nutrients move through soil systems and the role this plays in climate regulation and agricultural productivity.

Arnold School alumna heading to third Olympics

USC profiles public health alumna and former Gamecocks diver Julia Vincent as she preps for Paris. It will be Vincent's third time competing in the Olympics, and she hopes to bring home a medal.

USC to lead wastewater surveillance for new statewide center aimed at improving outbreak preparedness

Environmental health sciences associate professor Sean Norman is one of the lead investigators on a multi-agency project to use disease modeling to improve outbreak preparedness in the state.

I Am Public Health: Xiaowen Sun

Ph.D. in Biostatistics candidate Xiaowen Sun entered the field to use statistical methods to solve real-world problems. She's particularly interested in using machine and deep learning to improve medical research and public health.

Anwar Merchant selected as Fulbright Scholar

Epidemiology professor Anwar Merchant has received a Fulbright Scholar Award from the U.S. Department of State to help build capacity for public health research in Pakistan by mentoring/training early-career researchers.

Susan Yeargin explains the dangers of heat illness

Exercise science associate professor and athletic training expert Susan Yeargin describes how extreme heat can be dangerous for runners, cyclists and anyone spending time outdoors. Plus, six tips for staying safe.

Tara Sabo-Attwood returns to USC as new dean for the Arnold School of Public Health

Donna Arnett, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, is pleased to announce the selection of a highly accomplished public health leader, Tara Sabo-Attwood, as the new dean beginning August 1.

2024 Access & Collective Engagement Awards announced

These awards are designed to recognize alumni, faculty, staff and students who have made exceptional contributions to advancing access and collective engagement.

Researchers find geographic, racial disparities in postpartum readmissions involving mental health, substance use disorders

In a collaboration between the Rural and Minority Health Research Center and South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, USC researchers have discovered a hidden crisis impacting rural and minority South Carolinians.

Staff Spotlight: Kollette Clark

As Director of Evaluation and Academic Assessment for the school, Clark's main role is to lead evaluation activities, which includes the various methods used to approve, maintain, document, and evaluate supporting processes.

Arnold School establishes undergraduate scholarship, new lecture in honor of Dean Chandler

In recognition of his 17-year tenure as Dean and his 35 years (and counting) with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, the Arnold School has launched two new funds in honor of Thomas Chandler.

I Am Public Health: Alexa Chandler

Working in the Sport Science Laboratory, the Ph.D. in Exercise Science candidate conducted research for several Department of Defense- and industry-funded projects - amassing extensive hands-on training in various laboratory techniques.

Chris Aluah's legacy lives on through research on courtesy stigma experienced by HIV professionals

Nearly a decade after his passing, Chris Aluah continues to make an impact. Dedicated to share his work with the world, his HPEB collaborators have successfully published findings from his dissertation research.

Faculty Award Winners recognized at annual Hooding Ceremony

The Arnold School is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Faculty Awards: James A. Keith Excellence in Teaching Award (Sheri Silfies), Faculty Research Award (Melissa Nolan), and Faculty Service Award (Toni Torres-McGehee).

New grant aims for lasting increases in physical activity by leveraging existing social ties

Courtney Monroe, an assistant professor in the Arnold School's Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior has been awarded $3M from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Exercise science recognizes seven students with department awards

The Department of Exercise Science has selected seven students from among those nominated by faculty members, to receive the 2024 Outstanding Exercise Science Student Awards.

May graduate preps for career in psychiatric epidemiology

M.S. in Epidemiology student Paige Jones believes that her coursework and work experiences have prepared her for positions in a research lab, health department or hospital settings.

Passion for public health paves path for graduate to make an impact

As an undergraduate research assistant in the Nolan Lab of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Titi Abiodun became even more passionate about using science to improve public health.

Health services policy and management student award winners announced

The Department of Health Services Policy and Management is proud to announce the recipients of their 2024 Student Awards. These students were selected for their outstanding performance both academically and outside the classroom.

Pandemic inspires passion for public health and pediatric medicine

Anika Nair She graduates this month with Leadership Distinction in Research and is the recipient of the USC Outstanding Senior and President's Awards. She is planning a career in pediatric medicine.

Carolina Band member launches medical career with foundation in public health

At the Arnold School, Bryan Wolf became passionate about understanding health on a macro scale, including the nuances of health care systems and developing cultural competence. He served also as an ambassador.

Three students selected to receive HPEB department awards

Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior is proud to announce the 2024 winners of the Outstanding Master's Student, Christopher Peter Aluah Outstanding Doctoral Student, and Outstanding Undergraduate Student Research Awards.

Air Force legacy to follow in family footsteps as public health officer

As members of the United States Air Force, Darby Mihelich's parents inspired her to pursue a career as a public health officer in the military branch that had become a second home to them all.

Top graduate student award winners announced

The top master's and doctoral students were honored at the annual Hooding Ceremony. Brandi Daves (M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology) received the Jeffrey Keith Mattison Award, and Rajat Das Gupta (Ph.D. in Epidemiology) won the Doctoral Achievement Award.

Public health major carves path for improving Hispanic health

Emily Barros will spend the summer as a fellow in the Diversity in Addiction Training Program at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she will focus on tobacco use research and obtain her medical Spanish interpreter's license.

Staff Spotlight: Briana Davis

Often serving as a project manager for health-related research projects, the recurring theme of Briana Davis's career has been addressing health disparities in chronic conditions, such as obesity, cancer and diabetes.

May graduate pursues medical degree to advance health equity, global health

Knowing that she wanted to address inequities both in the U.S. and globally, Anusha Ghosh selected public health and Spanish has the concentration areas for her BARSC-MD (Accelerated Undergraduate to MD Program) at the South Carolina Honors College.

Public health grad to focus on health policy at UNC School of Law

With an acceptance into the University of North Carolina School of Law, Hayley Mason plans to focus on the impact of health policy on health outcomes - eventually at the national and international level.

Two-time alumna aims to reduce tobacco use among youth

During her Ph.D. in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior program, Emily Hackworth's research has focused on factors that predict nicotine use, including mental health, gender identity and risk perceptions.

Public health graduate to study inflammatory bowel disease before attending medical school

After graduating with Leadership Distinction in Community Service and the Outstanding Senior Award in May, Allie McDermott will gain additional experience as a research coordinator before applying to medical school.

Aiming for equity. Public health professional completes doctoral degree to address social determinants of health

Shanikque Barksdale graduates in May with six peer-reviewed publications to her name. With interests in maternal and child health, telehealth and rural health, she is perfectly positioned in her role at DHEC to continue making an impact in these areas.

USC features 2024 graduates

Jaimeen Shah and Tyson Ansani both graduate with public health degrees and both are planning careers in medicine. Take a look at how their time at USC has changed their lives.

Arnold School announces 2024 Alumni Award Winners

Aditi Srivastav Bussells (Ph.D. in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior) has been awarded the Gerry Sue Arnold Alumni Award, and Veronica Scott-Fulton (MPH in Public Health Administration) is the recipient of the Norman J. Arnold Alumni Medal.

Master of Health Administration graduate to continue career with fellowship at McLeod Health

As a student in the Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Madison Paternostro developed an interest in clinical operations within health systems - particularly at outpatient facilities where patients receive most of their care.

I Am Public Health: Lauren McAbee

Greenville, South Carolina native Lauren McAbee loved her experience in the B.S. in Public Health program so continuing at the Arnold School for her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology degree was an easy decision.

USC Educational Foundation names Toni Torres-McGehee as winner of Outstanding Service Award

Just one year after receiving the top service award from the National Association of Athletic Trainers, Toni Torres-McGehee has been selected as the winner of the 2024 USC Educational Foundation Outstanding Service Award.

Doctoral graduate combines economics with health policy to advance health equity

During her Ph.D. in Health Services Policy and Management program, Dakshu Jindal gained research experience as a graduate assistant on projects within her department and at the Center for Community Health Alignment.

Big Data Health Science Center brings big minds, big ideas

USC features the Big Data Health Science Center, digging into how data analysis can improve health care outcomes across South Carolina but emphasizing that the workforce must be cultivated.

Devin Bowes uses wastewater-based epidemiology to advance environmental justice, health equity

Bowes adopts an environmental justice and health equity lens. She was inspired to incorporate these perspectives into her work when conducting COVID-19 research as a graduate student.

Tom Chandler returns to faculty role after 17 years as Dean of the Arnold School

A nationwide search is underway for the next dean of the Arnold School, and Chandler is prepared to hand over the reins after 17 years as its leader. His office is packed, and, here, he unpacks his reflections on his tenure as dean.

Communication sciences and disorders welcomes intellectual disability expert Liz Will

Will has expertise in cognitive processes and executive function profiles in children with genetic conditions associated with intellectual disability. Birth to five years is the primary age period of interest to her work.

Athletic training graduate to work with professional, pre-professional athletes

After graduating in May, Professional Athletic Training Student Above and Beyond Award winner Kimberly Nardi will begin working with professional and collegiate athletes at a performance-based sports complex in Georgia.

Does a USC-designed wearable device accurately measure daily activity and sleep for children? A new series of studies will tell

Exercise science assistant professor Bridget Armstrong has been awarded $3.5 million from the National Institutes of Health to test the effectiveness of PATCH, a wearable device designed to measure children's routine activities.

Student body president turned OB-GYN brings public health mindset to patient care

USC features public health alumnus and former USC student body president Ross Lordo, who chose to become an OB-GYN so he could help all patients, no matter their background, at a point when they are most vulnerable.

Staff Spotlight: Kathia Valverde

As a training specialist with the Center for Community Health Alignment, Kathia Valverde provides 80 hours of core competency training for students to achieve community health worker certification with several specialty tracks.

Remedies for diet-related diseases expand when Food is Medicine

USC features the work of Food is Medicine researchers, who are developing a map to better identify areas where people disproportionately experience a lack of access to food.

Stella Self to develop new ways to monitor spread of vector-borne diseases

With $3.7 million from the National Institutes of Health, Self will collaborate with colleagues from multiple institutions on a project that, over time, will save many more millions in the cost of surveillance efforts to track vector-borne diseases.

I Am Public Health: Victoria Adebiyi

Victoria Adebiyi has big goals. The Ph.D. in Health Promotion Education and Behavior candidate plans to improve maternal and child nutrition and health in low- and middle-income countries after her 2025 graduation - continuing the path she began a decade ago in Nigeria.

Jihong Liu to help Prisma extend Healthy Start Program to Upstate

When Prisma Health decided to expand their Midlands Healthy Start program, they turned to maternal and child health expert and epidemiology professor Jihong Liu, who has already led evaluations into the program's effectiveness.

Gift from LivJoy Foundation funds postdoctoral fellowship to study females with fragile X syndrome

As parents of two daughters with fragile X syndrome, Brian and Rachel Clouse are committed to helping girls and families like theirs by supporting programs and research dedicated to females with this condition through their nonprofit organization.

A new understanding of how the fragile X premutation affects women

USC features the work of communications sciences and disorders associate professor Jessica Klusek, who researches fragile X syndrome and the FMR1 premutation that causes it.

Glenn Weaver investigates when and why children gain weight during school breaks

Funded with $3.5 million from the National Institutes of Health, the exercise science associate professor will be looking for patterns of weight gains and BMI increases based on behavioral, social, environmental and biological factors.

Environmental health sciences assistant professor Laura Langan uses science to create solutions

As an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Laura Langan is looking for her own answers to the array of impacts that result from the nexus of human and environmental interactions.

Center for the Study of Aphasia Recovery embarks on clinical trials, major research

USC features the work of the Center for the Study of Aphasia Recovery, which is led by communication sciences and disorders researchers like Vice President for Research Julius Fridriksson and associate professor Dirk den Ouden.

Staff Spotlight: Lauren Johnson

Johnson's role as Senior Director of Development involves working closely with donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students and community partners. Her team's collective goal is to enrich the school's mission through philanthropy.

Sole vice president candidate seeks to improve student experience, communicate Student Government initiatives

Second-year public health and political science student Courtney Tkacs has been elected student body vice president. Learn about how she wants to be a voice for student groups and bring a variety of perspectives to the position.

Marta Bornstein boosts Arnold School's sexual, reproductive health expertise

Since she joined USC last fall, the HPEB assistant professor has continued working to understand the sexual and reproductive health needs of LGBTQ+ people and is looking at abortion in the United States' changing environment.

Unhealthy food environments may play a role in increasing rates of childhood obesity in low- and middle-income countries

Research led by HPEB associate professor Hala Ghattas and published in Public Health Nutrition has revealed what may be a major factor in the rise of childhood obesity in the Middle East and North Africa.

I Am Public Health: Brandi Daves

M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology student Brandi Daves loves working with children who have hearing loss and helping them learn to advance their listening and spoken language skills through technology and auditory verbal therapy.

15th Annual James E. Clyburn Health Equity Lecture planned for April 5

Join us in Columbia for inspiring speakers, a poster session, awards, and refreshments as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of a very special lecture honoring Congressman Clyburn and his efforts to advance health equity.

Improving care in the Stroke Belt

USC reports on the university's efforts to address stroke in South Carolina, which has the seventh-highest incidence of stroke mortality in the United States and incurs 1.3 billion per year in hospitalization costs.

Save the date for The Blair Symposium

Join us on April 26 for a full day of events celebrating the legacy of Distinguished Professor Emeritus Steven N. Blair, whose pioneering work in the field of exercise epidemiology reached far beyond USC and spanned six decades.

CARE evaluators, environmental health sciences researchers collaborate to support farm to school program

When the Green Heart Project approached CARE to help them determine if their work was making a difference, CARE and ENHS helped them navigate the process of finding answers.

Global health researcher digs into complex etiology of anemia in mothers and children

A recent study led by HPEB assistant professor Leila Larson and published in Public Health Nutrition has shed more light on the interplay of factors that cause anemia in mothers and children in low- and middle-income countries.

Alumnus blends occupational therapy, neuroscience and technology to improve health for stroke, military populations

Inspired by his practicum experience at a rehab hospital during his B.S. in EXSC program, '07 alumnus Christopher Gaskins forged a career in occupational therapy and neuroscience while working with stroke and military populations.

New Brain Health Network, Brain Health Center address need for better dementia assessment

Key players include communication sciences and disorders professor/aphasia expert Julius Fridriksson and the Office for the Study of Aging, which is home to the S.C. Alzheimer’s Disease Registry.

Epidemiology assistant professor Pieter Baker brings new perspective to infectious disease research

Pieter Baker is approaching the intersection of drugs, germs and justice from every angle - looking at bacteria/viruses and injectable drugs to immigration policies and the criminal justice system.

Nearly $2.9 Million Awarded to Organizations to Fund CHWs in South Carolina

The Center for Community Health Alignment will use $2.9 million allocated from the SC General Assembly to fund the hiring of 46 community health workers, who will serve uninsured individuals in 40 high-needs areas of the state.

Staff Spotlight: Natalie Askew

As a member of the Information Technology Core, every day is different yet contains many themes that overlap and build on one another. Askew spends her time responding to the help tickets that members of the Arnold School submit via her group's support site.

Research center combats spread of HIV, STIs in rural communities

USC features the Rural and Minority Health Research Center's efforts to understand and address disparities in rates of sexually transmitted infections and HIV in rural vs urban areas in South Carolina.

I Am Public Health: Salomé-Joëlle Gass

At the Arnold School, Gass has worked on several projects. Ranging from telehealth to vaccination uptake, this work has focused on improving the health of vulnerable groups, such as people living with HIV and rural residents of South Carolina.

Master of public health alumna receives South Carolina's highest civilian honor for extraordinary service

Molly Talbot-Metz has spent more than half her life in SC. The Mary Black Foundation CEO's journey to improving health in her adopted state began when she was growing up in New York and recently resulted in her receipt of the Order of the Palmetto.

New research ties long, severe COVID to economic hardship for U.S. families

A study led by HSPM assistant professor Nicole Hair has revealed that U.S. families whose members experienced persistent COVID-19 symptoms and, to a lesser extent, severe COVID-19 illness, were more likely to encounter economic hardship.

Master of public health student screens film of nonprofit she founded at APHA annual meeting

MCH Certificate/MPH student Tanya Ambrose is already a public health professional. The outreach specialist for Prisma Health Midlands Healthy Start founded Scrub Life Cares in 2020 to provides menstrual products to support health hygiene.

Carolina Band drum major awarded scholarship to study health policy at USC's Joseph F. Rice School of Law

Meredith Rhodes is now in her final semester as a public health major. Not only has she maintained a 4.0 GPA, but she's already been selected as a Carolina Law Research Scholar to attend the Joseph F. Rice School of Law.

Six speech-language pathology students awarded funding to attend international conference

Several master's students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders attended the annual conference for the Society of Ear Nose and Throat Advancement in Children as they wrapped up their fall semester.

Exercise science collaborators publish research on athletic training and mental health

Faculty, students and alumni affiliated with the Department of Exercise Science's athletic training program have published seven papers across a two-part special edition of the Journal of Athletic Training.

USC again among nation's best in sport science

The ShanghaiRanking recognizes the combined excellence of the Arnold School’s exercise science and athletic training programs and the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management’s sport and entertainment management program.

Some states, plans limit access to opioid use disorder treatment prescription through prior authorization practices

Published in the January issue of Health Affairs, a study led by HSPM associate professor Christina Andrews found that 11 states required prior authorization across all plans, and 13 states required no authorization.

Nandita Perumal invited to join World Health Organization's Technical Advisory Group on Gestational Weight Gain

Just one semester into her first faculty appointment, Nandita Perumal is already stepping up as a thought leader in gestational weight gain - particularly in a global context. The epidemiology assistant professor has published a key paper and joined a new taskforce.

Staff Spotlight: Kimberly Durden

Durden found her calling more than two decades ago. A friend who worked at the USC Aiken campus let her know about an opening in her department. Once in the position, Durden helped a co-worker with grant budgets and she fell in love with the area.

New study examines pediatric-to-adult HIV care transition in the South

Assistant professor of health promotion, education, and behavior Xueying Yang has been awarded another $400K NIH grant to support her HIV research - this time from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Physical therapy meets speech therapy

Mona Wiatr is a physical therapist by training, and she's currently working toward a Ph.D. in the field. She's not a speech-language pathologist, but that has been her world for the past six months.

I Am Public Health: Christina Ek

Christina Ek’s third USC commencement took place last month, rounding out a trio of degrees with a Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences and prepared for a career fighting pollution.