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Centers & Institutes

The Centers and Institutes at the Medical University of South Carolina stand as cornerstones of excellence in health sciences education and research. These entities catalyze interdisciplinary collaboration, driving innovation and technological advancements to elevate educational, research, and patient care outcomes. They serve as collaborative hubs to unite a spectrum of academic disciplines.

Integral to our healthcare ecosystem, our Centers and Institutes transcend traditional departmental boundaries. They harness cross-disciplinary expertise to forge an innovative environment while elevating our academic, research, and patient care initiatives.

Centers

Purpose: Provide advanced, comprehensive care for aortic diseases through expert medical treatment, innovative surgical approaches, collaborative specialist care, and a commitment to research and education to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Director: Sanford M. Zeigler, M.D.

Purpose: Enhance clinical and translational research through a sophisticated informatics infrastructure by empowering researchers across South Carolina with advanced tools and systems for effective data management and analysis, specializing in developing and maintaining critical research infrastructures, fostering an environment where shared knowledge and resources accelerate scientific discovery, and maximizing the impact of research collaborations.

Director: Leslie A. Lenert, M.D., MS

Purpose: Advance the intersection of basic science and clinical medicine while researching molecular cardiovascular mechanisms, innovating therapeutic approaches for heart diseases, and pioneering the development of tissue-based, patient-specific pacemakers, significantly contributing to the evolution of cardiac healthcare.

Director: Martin Morad, Ph.D.

Purpose: Develop a rich learning environment where students are encouraged to engage deeply with their writing and learning processes by nurturing critical thinking and effective communication skills through personalized consultations, comprehensive supplemental instruction, and the humanities, ensuring their development into well-rounded, articulate, and thoughtful individuals.

Director: Thomas G. Smith, Ph.D.

Purpose: Support the advancement, recruitment, and retention of women scientists by delivering various programs that contribute to the professional growth of women across all colleges.

Director: Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D.

Purpose: Establish an academic structure within the Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology to host the activities related to the teaching of anatomical sciences to the students in the College of Health Professions, College of Dental Medicine, and College of Medicine, as well as provide a university interface to support and promote anatomical research studies, educational projects, and continuing education workshops.

Director: Richard P. Visconti, Ph.D.

Purpose: Provide leadership and infrastructure in the imaging sciences necessary for basic and clinical scientists to collaborate, discover new ways to study normal and disease processes, develop and apply this knowledge to clinically relevant research, and translate these advances to the patient community while providing a quality graduate education environment.

Director: Jens H. Jensen, Ph.D.

Purpose: Enhance the research capacity and competitiveness of CDLD members and Junior Investigators (JIs) by expanding available infrastructure, access to quality training, and opportunities to collaborate, thereby enabling outstanding basic research in digestive and liver disease.

Director: Stephen A. Duncan, DPhil

Purpose: Advance cancer treatment through the identification of therapeutic targets and generation of lead compounds, facilitating the discovery and optimization of novel chemical entities, providing synthesis support for potential therapeutics, aiding in the creation of new intellectual property, and fostering collaboration for commercialization, while ensuring competitiveness in academic drug discovery and cheminformatics.

Director: Yuri K. Peterson, Ph.D.

Purpose: Dedicated to advancing understanding and research in cell biology by focusing on the mechanisms and implications of cell death and regeneration to develop innovative therapies and strategies for injury recovery and disease treatment.

Director: John J. Lemasters, M.D., Ph.D.

Purpose: Provide a leading-edge cellular therapy program to support the growth of innovative cellular therapy products.

Director: Prabhakar K. Baliga, M.D.; William P. Lancaster, M.D.; Hongjun Wang, Ph.D.; Shikhar Mehro, Ph.D.

Purpose: Leverage state-of-the-art technology and collaborative methods to enhance clinical skills development and assessment in medical education.

Director: Janice M. Hazy, MS

Purpose: Provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and accessible family-based treatment for eating disorders, empowering families and individuals through evidence-based care and a collaborative approach, aiming for full recovery and a return to a healthy, fulfilling life.

Director: Elizabeth M. Wallis, M.D.

Purpose: Enhance the mental and emotional well-being of firefighters and their families through innovative resources developed in collaboration with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and funded by FEMA by focusing on self-help, peer support, and professional behavioral health services for those affected by occupational and major life stressors.

Director: Tatiana M. Davidson, Ph.D.; Angela D. Moreland-Johnson, Ph.D.

Purpose: Advance MUSC's efforts to improve health in South Carolina and worldwide through research, education, training, and service.

Director: Michael D. Sweat, Ph.D., Kathleen Ellis

Purpose: Seeks to identify, understand, and address inequalities in health outcomes and healthcare access across diverse populations, utilizing multidisciplinary approaches and innovative data analytics to foster equitable health solutions and policies.

Director: William P. Moran, M.D., MS (Interim)

Purpose: Serve as a conduit for advancing health policy leadership, providing critical analysis and educational strategies on key issues, such as access to care, rural health, and workforce development, to shape and influence health policy discourse at both the state and national levels in alignment with MUSC's strategic vision of impact, innovation, and influence.

Director: Allie Dodd

Purpose: Enhance the well-being of individuals in South Carolina and beyond by promoting aging research, fostering innovations through pilot awards, and focusing on all aspects of aging while acknowledging that the process begins at birth and requires strategies that span one's entire lifespan.

Director: Hermes J. Florez, M.D., Ph.D., MPH

Purpose: Aims to unravel the neurobiological underpinnings of heightened drug-seeking behavior and impaired competing behavior development in people with a substance use disorder by focusing on synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal to accumbens pathway as a key factor in cocaine relapse to innovate effective addiction treatments.

Director: Peter W. Kalivas, Ph.D.

Purpose: Establish a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence by integrating expertise in oxidants, redox balance, and stress signaling, fostering interdisciplinary research in diseases like cancer and diabetes through a robust infrastructure supporting proteomics, metabolomics, and cellular imaging, and enhancing academic growth through dedicated mentoring and administrative support.

Director: Kenneth D. Tew, Ph.D., DSc

Purpose: Expand the frontiers of neurological rehabilitation knowledge through collaborative research, fostering interdepartmental and external partnerships, and prioritizing patient-centric discoveries that offer tangible health benefits.

Director: James S. Krause, Ph.D.; Steven A. Kautz, Ph.D.

Purpose: Enhance healthcare services through comprehensive telehealth program management, strategic growth, and community needs alignment while driving innovation and research in telehealth and providing clinical, educational, and technical expertise to foster new partnerships and service expansions through the support of a blend of state legislature funding, grants, and private contributions.

Director: James T. McElligott, M.D., MSCR

Purpose: Advance the understanding and treatment of brain development disorders, like autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability, by researching their genetic, molecular, and neural underpinnings, ultimately enhancing the health and well-being of those with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Director: Christopher W. Cowan, Ph.D.

Purpose: Lead national efforts in multidisciplinary and translational research on alcohol treatment by integrating basic science and clinical investigation to understand the progression from social drinking to excessive alcohol consumption while fostering a collaborative environment that attracts new investigators and enriches training for future researchers.

Director: Howard C. Becker, Ph.D.

Purpose: Enhance multicenter clinical trial planning and execution through expert guidance in design, statistics, and data management while assisting with regulatory navigation, industry collaboration, and budget development and providing hands-on training experiences in clinical trial methodologies for emerging scholars and professionals.

Director: Marc I. Chimowitz, MBChB; Yuko Y. Palesch, Ph.D.

Purpose: Eliminate epilepsy as a barrier in patients' lives through advanced diagnostics, multidisciplinary approaches, and a full spectrum of medical and surgical therapies by ensuring holistic care that encompasses medical, surgical, social, and psychological aspects of epilepsy management.

Director: Jonathan C. Edwards, M.D.

Purpose: Enhance research infrastructure and expand research capacity to enable outstanding, collaborative biomedical research in digestive and liver diseases.

Director: Don C. Rockey, M.D.

Purpose: Manage and analyze data for the impact of electroconvulsive therapy combined with standard treatments in alleviating severe agitation and aggression in Alzheimer's patients and ensuring the accurate dissemination of results to enhance treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease.

Director: Martina Mueller, Ph.D.

Purpose: Leverage technology to increase access, equity, and quality of trauma-related care across diverse youth, families, and communities throughout the United States.

Director: Rochelle F. Hanson, Ph.D.

Purpose: Provides advanced, noninvasive treatment for brain lesions using state-of-the-art radiosurgery technology, offering safe, effective care for conditions once considered inoperable, with a highly skilled team, decades of expertise, comprehensive follow-up, and collaboration with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center specialists.

Director: Istvan Takacs, M.D.

Purpose: Revolutionize surgical practices and improve healthcare efficiencies through a synergy of surgical artificial intelligence, clinical trials, and human-centered design, fostering advancements in AI/ML and data science to transform patient care and clinical decision-making in South Carolina and beyond.

Director: Arman Kilic, M.D.

Purpose: Provide an interprofessional, simulation-focused learning environment to enhance the education of healthcare professionals by improving the provision of safe, comprehensive healthcare across the MUSC enterprise and supporting and encouraging valuable innovation and research to advance education, teamwork, and improved clinical outcomes.

Director: Catherine D. Tobin, M.D.; Frances W. Lee, DBA

Purpose: Eradicate cancer through cutting-edge research, comprehensive patient care, and dedicated community engagement by engaging a multidisciplinary team of experts, pioneering in areas from cancer biology to immunotherapy, focusing on personalized patient care and community outreach, reducing cancer disparities, and fostering inclusive excellence.

Director: Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D.

Purpose: Eliminate health disparities in minority populations afflicted with scleroderma and lupus by conducting transformative clinical research, developing innovative recruitment tools, educating various stakeholders, and providing critical resources and mentoring to advance understanding and management of these diseases.

Director: Jim C. Oates, M.D.

Purpose: Provide early and precise diagnosis, meaningful treatment, and advanced research for pediatric and adult patients with primary immunodeficiencies to enhance patient care, education, and collaborative research initiatives.

Director: Kelli W. Williams, M.D., MPH

Purpose: Enhance the quality of life and overall well-being by offering personalized mindfulness strategies and programs that promote mental resilience, regulate emotions, improve sleep, and foster long-term health through evidence-based practices.

Director: Alyssa A. Rheingold, Ph.D.

Purpose: Dedicated to advancing Parkinson's research through supporting laboratories, recruiting specialized researchers, and providing cutting-edge facilities and infrastructure for clinical research to develop innovative therapies for Parkinson's Disease and related disorders.

Director: Gonzalo J. Revuelta, D.O.

Purpose: Dedicated to advancing the field of neuromodulation, providing a platform for research, education, and collaboration to enhance rehabilitation practices through innovative workshops, conferences, webinars, and funding opportunities, all aimed at fostering a dynamic learning and research environment.

Director: Steven A. Kautz, Ph.D.

Purpose: Advance understanding and improve the mental health of crime and trauma victims through comprehensive research, education, evidence-based treatment, and public policy consultation while fostering collaboration with victim service agencies and providing specialized training and media engagement to heighten public and scientific awareness.

Director: Dean G. Kilpatrick, Ph.D.

Purpose: Enhance national preparedness and support for victims of mass violence through comprehensive research, training, technology, and collaboration, ensuring the provision of high-quality, evidence-based services and information while advocating for victim-centric public policies and embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work.

Director: Dean G. Kilpatrick, Ph.D.

Purpose: Facilitate patient-oriented research in a cost-effective manner and help strengthen the discipline of clinical and translational science.

Director: Patrick A. Flume, M.D.

Purpose: Furnish comprehensive media content, offer robust technical and application development support, manage and sustain databases and websites, and provide educational technology management and support to the faculty, staff, and students of the College of Nursing.

Director: Brian Getsinger, MSMIS

Purpose: Integrate cutting-edge mass spectrometry technologies, comprehensive instrumentation, and advanced computational resources by focusing on clinical and translational proteomics and centralized diagnostics to drive innovative protein analysis and biomarker discovery research supported by a consortium of institutional and external funding sources.

Director: Richard R. Drake, Ph.D.

Purpose: Advance the understanding and treatment of chronic sinusitis through a unique integration of clinical and laboratory research, including the exploration of disease impacts on overall well-being, the development of innovative therapeutic strategies, and the direct involvement of patients in groundbreaking studies.

Director: Rodney J. Schlosser, M.D.

Purpose: Provide multidisciplinary care for the diagnosis and treatment of complex skull base conditions, combining the expertise of various specialists, including neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, and oncologists, with cutting-edge technology and personalized patient care, to achieve nationally recognized outcomes and improve quality of life.

Director: Theodore R. McRackan, M.D.

Purpose: Provide comprehensive, expert burn care treatment and rehabilitation services, incorporating advanced techniques and personalized therapy, to patients of all ages in South Carolina to ensure their swift return to daily life through a holistic approach that includes cutting-edge research, nutritional support, and psychological and social care.

Director: Steven A. Kahn, M.D.

Purpose: Leverage the collaborative strengths of MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and South Carolina State University in research and community engagement to create a diverse future generation of cancer researchers specially trained to improve cancer health outcomes for South Carolinians.

Director: Marvella E. Ford, Ph.D.; Judith D. Salley-Guydon, Ph.D.

Purpose: Dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research on sex and gender differences, particularly in addiction and stress-related disorders, with a commitment to improving women's health through community-based initiatives and national collaborations, supported by continuous funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH).

Director: Aimee L. McRae-Clark, Pharm.D.

Purpose: Provide patient-centered, advanced spinal care through a multidisciplinary team of experts, utilizing the latest diagnostic and treatment options reinforced by our commitment to research and innovation in improving surgical techniques and outcomes.

Director: Charles A. Reitman, M.D.; Stephen P. Kalhorn, M.D.

Purpose: Advance the understanding and application of brain plasticity to develop innovative, science-based therapies for post-stroke rehabilitation, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and mentored training to enhance treatment efficacy, reduce disability, and improve the quality of life for stroke survivors.

Director: Steven A. Kautz, Ph.D.

Purpose: Augment cerebrovascular education and research at MUSC through dedicated resources, expertise, and mentorship to foster enhanced research opportunities, grant development, and global collaboration.

Director: Daniel T. Lackland, DrPH

Purpose: Serve as the consolidated entry point for access to research expertise, information, and navigation spanning the entire research spectrum, from inception through technology transfer and dissemination of best practice models.

Director: Stephanie Gentilin, MA

Purpose: Deliver comprehensive and innovative care for sarcoidosis patients while advancing research and technology and upholding a commitment to compassion, quality, and informative treatment.

Director: W. Ennis James, M.D.

Purpose: Enhance the health and well-being of South Carolinians through innovative research and application of mobile-based patient monitoring technologies, aiming to reduce chronic disease disparities, boost economic productivity, and establish itself as a multi-institutional national center of excellence within a decade.

Director: Frank A. Treiber, Ph.D.

Purpose: Dedicated to empowering individuals with comprehensive and personalized weight management solutions, integrating a multidisciplinary approach encompassing psychological support, medical expertise, nutritional guidance, and physical activity, all grounded in the latest research and tailored to foster sustainable lifestyle changes for long-term success.

Director: Patrick M. O'Neil, Ph.D.

Purpose: Foster total well-being by promoting balanced social, emotional, spiritual, and physical health through a team of expert exercise physiologists, fitness trainers, health coaches, dietitians, and specialized trainers.

Director: Dusty Jackson, MS

Institutes

Purpose: Combines groundbreaking research, advanced education, and dedicated community service to enhance eye health and vision care globally.

Director: Matthew J. Nutaitis, M.D.

Purpose: Establish a leading center for neuroscience research and advocacy by creating a platform for sharing neuroscience knowledge within the MUSC community, supporting the growth of emerging neuroscientists, enhancing collaborative efforts in the neuroscience field, and engaging the public in understanding and supporting neuroscience research.

Director: Jacqueline F. McGinty, Ph.D.

Purpose: Advance pediatric healthcare through pioneering research to transform scientific discoveries into practical solutions to enhance the health and wellness of children and elevate pediatric care globally while developing the next generation of scientists and physicians.

Director: Denis C. Guttridge, Ph.D.

Purpose: Dedicated to promoting mental wellness and resilience and transforming lives through advanced psychiatric interventions and comprehensive care by providing exceptional treatment and support for individuals of all ages facing various mental health challenges within our community and beyond.

Director: Thomas W. Uhde, M.D.

Purpose: Cultivate exceptional leadership at MUSC by offering comprehensive leadership development programs and workshops that enhance skills, promote diversity, and foster organizational and external influence while striving to create a vibrant leadership network that propels MUSC's ongoing success and innovation in healthcare leadership.

Director: Elisha L. Brownfield, M.D.

Purpose: Dedicated to improving education and access, recruiting and retaining the world's best transplant team, and embracing innovation and collaboration in research through team science to improve long-term survival, prevent organ rejection, and discover transplant alternatives.

Director: Vera Ford, MBA

Purpose: Provide comprehensive care for all bone, joint, and muscle conditions through a multidisciplinary team approach, ensuring efficient and exceptional treatment for our patients in a single, convenient visit.

Director: Lee R. Leddy, M.D., MSCR

Purpose: Provide comprehensive occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology services for neurologically impaired patients in collaboration with the College of Health Professions, fulfilling a tripartite mission of improving patient care, advancing education, and research discovery while utilizing integrated clinical and classroom spaces to foster collaborative research endeavors.

Director: Dave W. Comeau, DPT, MHA

Purpose: Promotes a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, enabling the seamless translation of scientific breakthroughs into clinical applications to advance the understanding and treatment of heart failure while developing innovative treatments, uncovering the mechanisms of heart failure, and identifying early detection markers to revolutionize cardiac healthcare.

Director: Donald R. Menick, Ph.D.

Purpose: Serve as the motivation for changing the culture of biomedical research in South Carolina by providing expertise, resources, and training to streamline the processes associated with translating observations from the laboratory (T0), clinic, and community to interventions that improve individual and public health (T4).

Director: Patrick A. Flume, M.D.; Kathleen T. Brady, M.D., Ph.D.

Purpose: Evaluate and enhance the value of intellectual assets from the Medical University of South Carolina by forging industry relationships and translating these innovations into practical health sciences solutions and services while championing the commercialization efforts of intellectual property-backed innovations.

Director: Todd Headley, MBA