Current Chairs | South Carolina CoEE Program

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Current Chairs

Some of the nation’s top researchers have been recruited to South Carolina through the SmartState Program. This group of world-class scientists is working on discoveries that will save lives, improve products, and increase safety.

Available SmartState chair positions

		Dr. Robert Adams Endowed Chair in Stroke at MUSC Dr. Adams' research is in the field of clinical neurology, with a focus on preventing strokes and on developing new ways to deliver stroke care to patients. Working with the American Stroke Association, Adams is spearheading a program to help hospitals obtain designation as a certified Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare (JCAHO) Stroke Center. The certification is designed to better prepare hospitals to provide comprehensive stroke treatment. Adams is currently assisting a number of sites in the Lowcountry that want to improve their acute stroke care. He has established the REACH MUSC program, which connects MUSC neuroscience specialists with partner sites via the Internet to provide round-the-clock stroke care. In his mission to web-enable hospitals, Adams helped develop the company REACH Call, Inc. REACH Call provides system equipment, software and decision support for urgent specialist consultations via the Internet. Reach Call also aids remote sites in emergency evaluation and treatment of acute stroke. Dr. Adams is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Stroke at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

		Dr. Gary Aston-Jones William E. Murray SmartState Endowed Chair in Neuroscience at MUSC Brain mechanisms of motivation and cognitive processes are at the center of Dr. Aston-Jones’ work, with particular emphasis on attentional deficits in certain mental disorders. Problems with brain attentional functions are believed to be behind conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and autism. In fact, Aston-Jones’ research helped lead to a new drug treatment for ADD. His other work has applications for better determining the specific processes involved in learning, dementia, addiction, and depression. In 2009, Aston-Jones presented at six conferences, including the International Symposium on Drug Addiction Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches and the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Dr. Aston-Jones is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Neuroscience at MUSC.

		Dr. Brian Benicewicz Endowed Chair for Polymer Nanocomposite Research at USC Dr. Benicewicz’s research has primarily been in the areas of high-temperature fuel cell membranes, polymer synthesis, conducting polymers, and liquid crystalline polymers and thermosets. Now he is helping South Carolina play a leading role in the future of nanoscience and plastics. Nanoscience can be used to help the state’s plastics industry develop new products and improve existing ones. The Palmetto State is one of the nation’s top producers of plastics, specifically polymers that are used to manufacture packaging products for items such as juices, water, soft drinks, household cleaners, and cosmetics. Benicewicz’s research funding includes grants from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and various private industry entities. His work in high-temperature fuel cell membranes has resulted in a research contract with BASF. Dr. Benicewicz is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Polymer Nanocomposites at USC.

		Dr. Charles Bennett Endowed Chair in Medication Safety and Efficacy at USC Dr. Bennett is a hematologist and oncologist whose research focuses on preventing adverse drug events and improving drug safety. Bennett, along with his team at the Medication Safety and Efficacy CoEE, will be developing technology that has high likelihood of commercialization, will look for ways to make drug information more consumer-friendly, and will create new training tools for health care providers. Bennett has first-hand experience with commercializing technology and starting new companies. In 1998, he founded internationally known RADAR (Research on Adverse Drug events And Reports), which investigates and disseminates information about adverse drug and device reactions (ADRs). During the last decade, the company’s work has identified potentially fatal and previously unreported side effects associated with 43 drugs. Dr. Bennett is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Medication Safety and Efficacy at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

		Dr. Marc Chimowitz Countess Alicia Paolozzi CoEE Endowed Chair at MUSC Dr. Chimowitz researches treatments to prevent stroke caused by narrowing of brain arteries. This field of research is especially relevant in South Carolina, which has the nation’s second-highest mortality rate from stroke. Chimowitz has received funding from the National Institutes of Health for a $28.5 million clinical trial, which he will lead from MUSC. This is one of the largest extramural research grants in state history. The trial involves patients at more than 50 sites across the country and will study the value of using stents to prevent strokes in patients whose brain arteries have hardened and narrowed due to plaque buildup (atherosclerotic stenosis). Dr. Chimowitz is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Stroke at MUSC.

		Dr. Richard R. Drake Endowed Chair in Proteomics at MUSC Dr. Drake’s research in proteomics focuses on identifying specific protein biomarkers associated with different types and stages of cancers, as well as developing protein biomarker tests that could monitor the effectiveness of treatment. Ultimately, the Proteomics Center of Economic Excellence hopes to translate the research of Drake and his team into commercialized biomarker tests for a variety of medical fields. Drake is among the nation’s leading experts on the complex role of proteins in the development of cancer. In addition to his SmartState Endowed Chair appointment, he is a professor in the MUSC Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and is working with scientists at MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center. Drake has significant funding from the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense for prostate and kidney cancer research. Dr. Drake is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Proteomics at MUSC.

		Dr. Zoran Filipi Timken Endowed Chair in Automotive Design and Development Dr. Filipi holds the Timken Chair in Automotive Design and Development within the SmartState Center for Automotive Design and Development, one of four Centers within CU-ICAR, Clemson University’s world-class automotive research campus. Dr. Filipi's main research interests are alternative and hybrid powertrain systems, advanced IC engine concepts, alternative fuels, and energy for transportation. Prior to accepting his SmartState Endowed Chair in 2011 and tenure within Clemson's Department of Automotive Engineering, Dr. Filipi held two research professorships at the University of Michigan: Mechanical Engineering Department and the Michigan Transportation Research Institute. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechical Engineering at the University of Belgrade. Dr. Filipi is the recipient of the SAE Forest R. McFarland Award, the IMechE Donald Julius Groen Award, and an SAE Fellow. His recent research efforts were funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, Bosch-Rexroth AG, General Motors Corporation, Chevron Energy Technology Co., Ricardo, Inc., and Detroit Diesel/Daimler Trucks. Dr. Filipi is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence for Automotive Design and Development at Clemson.

		Dr. Louis Guillette Endowed Chair in Marine Genomics at MUSC Dr. Guillette is a toxicology expert whose research focuses on how various environmental factors can lead to birth defects in wildlife and humans. His work involving wildlife, especially alligators, is internationally recognized. Guillette will also partner with researchers in MUSC’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Pediatrics to perform pilot studies on the developmental health of babies. Guillette’s research could help lead to the development of new testing procedures that prevent or treat health problems caused by environmental factors. Dr. Guillette is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Marine Genomics at MUSC. (USC and the College of Charleston are partner institutions.)

		Dr. Joseph Helpern Endowed Chair in Brain Imaging at MUSC Dr. Helpern is leading a new biomedical imaging initiative at MUSC while also continuing his personal research activities, which focus mainly on using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to investigate neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, ADHD, and stroke. Helpern has been working in the MRI field since its inception. He was part of a small group of scientists at Baylor College of Medicine who, in 1979, built the largest and most powerful MRI system to date. In 1990, he helped build the first version of the current state-of-the-art 3 Tesla MRI system. Helpern holds four patents related to imaging techniques. His research has been heavily funded by the NIH and other sources. In 2005, Helpern was elected by his peers as a fellow of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Dr. Helpern is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Brain Imaging at USC (MUSC is a partner institution).

		Dr. Todd H. Hubing Michelin Endowed Chair in Vehicle Electronic Systems Integration at Clemson University Today’s automobiles, trucks, trains, and planes depend on electronic systems to control virtually every aspect of vehicle operation. At CU-ICAR’s Carrol A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center, Dr. Hubing’s research focuses on methods for integrating these systems to significantly improve vehicular safety, performance, and reliability. His research team also is developing more efficient methods for distributing electric power in automobiles to allow hybrid and electric-powered cars of the future to be lighter, more powerful, and more energy efficient. In 2009, Hubing was named a Fellow of the Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society. Dr. Hubing is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Electronic Systems Integration at Clemson.

		Dr. Simon Hudson Endowed Chair in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management at USC Tourism is one of the largest industries in South Carolina—and the world. Dr. Hudson’s research focuses on tourism as a driver of economic development, with the goals of (1) creating a one-stop resource of advanced information and intelligence for tourism industry stakeholders and (2) improving South Carolina’s competitiveness as a tourism destination. Hudson is an internationally recognized tourism expert who has written books on golf tourism, the international ski industry, sports and adventure tourism, and tourism marketing. Dr. Hudson is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development at USC.

		Dr. Stephen Kresovich Endowed Chair in Marine Genomics at USC Dr. Kresovich’s research focuses on characterizing and exploiting genetic diversity from unique and important organisms of South Carolina, including terrestrial, aquatic, and marine animals, microbes, and plants (including those used for agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and pharmaceutical/industrial use). He is internationally recognized for his work in conservation genetics and improvement of crop plants including sorghum, maize, and sugar cane. In a previous position as vice provost for life sciences at Cornell University, Kresovich was responsible for providing university-wide leadership for Cornell’s New Life Sciences Initiative, the institution’s largest academic undertaking in its history. Kresovich is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Crop Science Society of America. Dr. Kresovich is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Marine Genomics at MUSC. (College of Charleston and USC are partner institutions.)

		Dr. Eric G. Johnson Endowed Chair for Optoelectronics at Clemson University Dr. Johnson’s research spans the area of micro-optics and nano-photonics, with particular emphasis on active and passive photonic devices. As the Endowed Chair in Optoelectronics, he will address improving devices, systems, and protocols used in high-speed optical communications networks. Prior to accepting his SmartState Endowed Chair, Dr. Johnson was a professor of Optical Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. He also served as Program Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the area of Electronic Photonics Device Technologies, and is the recipient of the NSF’s CAREER Award. He has received more than $15 million in externally funded university and small business research. Dr. Johnson earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama-Huntsville. He has extensive industrial experience, having worked with Martin Marietta, Teledyne Brown, SY Technology, and Digital Optics Corporation. Dr. Johnson is a proven entrepreneur; he holds 12 issued patents and founded and served as CEO of Femoptics LLC. Dr. Johnson has more than 140 publications in his field. Dr. Johnson is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Optoelectronics at Clemson University.

		Dr. Thomas R. Kurfess BMW Chair in Manufacturing at Clemson University Dr. Kurfess focuses his research on precision systems, controls, automation, and robotics. The results of his work are currently being used in a variety of manufacturing environments, helping U.S. companies compete in the global market. In addition to automotive-related research, Kurfess is also preparing the next generation of engineers to work in the complex systems and global environment of today’s automotive industry. In 2009, he was elected a Fellow of the American Association for Advancement of Science. Dr. Kurfess is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Automotive Manufacturing at Clemson.

		Dr. Jochen Lauterbach Endowed Chair in Strategic Approaches to the Generation of Electricity at USC Dr. Jochen Lauterbach is working to reduce the harmful environmental effects of burning coal to produce electricity. Coal is currently the cheapest and most widely available energy source, and it will remain in use for several more decades at least. Stricter regulations on coal plant emissions have created a great need for research in this field. Lauterbach is a highly recognized chemical engineer known for his expertise in using chemical engineering principles to solve industrial problems. Lauterbach and his team will focus on improving environmental control technologies for coal power plants, including improving mercury and gas emission controls and developing new materials and processes to capture and store or find a use for carbon emissions. His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as industries such as Ford Motor Co., Union Carbide, Mitsubishi Chemicals, Shell and Toyota. Dr. Lauterbach is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Strategic Approaches to the Generation of Electricity at USC.

		Dr. John J. Lemasters GlaxoSmithKline Distinguished Endowed Chair at MUSC Dr. Lemasters is a pioneer of techniques that allow scientists to see what happens inside an individual cell during reoxygenation—the restoration of oxygen to an organ following oxygen deprivation, which sometimes occurs following a heart attack or stroke. The process of redistributing oxygen to an organ can be stressful on tissue, leading to possible trauma and even cell death. Lemasters specializes in a kind of microscopy that allows scientists to view slices of an individual cell, much like CAT or MRI scans complement the more traditional X-ray by allowing doctors to view the body in layers. Other applications for Lemasters’ work include understanding the mechanisms through which the liver is injured by chronic alcohol use and donated organs are damaged while being held for transplant surgery. Dr. Lemasters is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Cancer Drug Discovery at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

		Dr. Sue Levkoff Endowed Chair in Community and Social Support—SmartHOME® at USC The number of Americans 65 and older will make up an impressive 21 percent of the U.S. population by 2050. This increase will present challenges to the physical and financial infrastructure of South Carolina and the nation. Dr. Levkoff’s research addresses these challenges by helping older adults remain healthy and independent. Her work focuses on developing technologies that will enable older adults to remain at home in the community with adequate supports, both for them and their caregivers. Levkoff has received sizable federal grants from agencies including the National Institute on Aging and the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health. Her firm, Environment and Health, is developing several health information technology products, including one to create an online community for Latino family members caring for a loved one with dementia, and another for Chinese dementia caregivers. Dr. Levkoff is affiliated with the SeniorSMART® Center of Economic Excellence at USC (Clemson is a partner institution).

		Dr. Zihai Li Endowed Chair in Cancer Stem Cell Biology at MUSC Dr. Li is an expert in the field of cancer immunology—finding ways to help the body's immune system recognize and fight cancer cells and control tumor growth. Types of immunotherapy, such as cancer vaccines and antibody treatment, have the potential to be more effective, more targeted, and less toxic than traditional cancer treatments. Li's work could lead to cell-based therapies and new drugs to help the immune system fight cancer; the development of such treatments in South Carolina could result in job and economic growth. Li's work captured international attention when his study was published in the October 2009 issue of Stem Cells. The study revealed the potential for human stem cells to be used in the creation of a vaccine to protect against colon cancer and potentially for other types of cancer as well. Li holds a U.S. patent and four investigational new drug applications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Li is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Cancer Stem Cell Biology at MUSC (Clemson is a partner institution).

		Dr. Scott J. Mason Fluor Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Optimization and Logistics at Clemson University Dr. Mason is an expert in large-scale supply systems modeling, optimization, and algorithms with emphasis in capital project supply chains. The study of supply chain and logistics involves finding the most efficient, economical way to move goods or people to market in business and industry. The field affects all aspects of business, from the flow of raw materials and scheduling production to manufacturing and distributing finished goods. Mason's work will strengthen Clemson's established supply chain programs. Mason has been both the technical vice president of networking and general co-chairman of the Industrial Engineering Research Conference. Dr. Mason is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Supply Chain Optimization and Logistics at Clemson University.

		Dr. Martin Morad BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Health at USC Dr. Morad is an internationally recognized scientist in the field of cardiac electrophysiology and calcium signaling, specifically in the area of calcium-binding proteins. The cardiac muscle is a complex system composed of 40,000 proteins. These proteins “tell” the heart how to contract and how fast; they also control how heart muscle grows and regenerates. Calcium acts as a signaling mechanism in the function of these proteins. Morad seeks to discover what causes these calcium signaling mechanisms to stop working properly, which can result in congestive heart failure. Understanding this process could lead to new therapeutic approaches to treat congestive heart failure and other conditions. His work could lead to the world’s first tissue-derived human heart pacemaker. A biological pacemaker derived from genetically engineered cells has great commercial viability as a replacement for current pacemaker technology made from artificial materials. Dr. Morad is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Regenerative Medicine at MUSC (Clemson and USC are partner institutions). Morad holds faculty appointments at all three institutions.

		Dr. Jay Moskowitz Endowed Chair in Healthcare Quality at USC Dr. Moskowitz is working to bring together healthcare systems, providers, and researchers to enhance patient care through clinical trials and interchange of electronic patient records. By increasing medical information sharing in the state, first responders and medical teams will have instant access to an individual’s medical history. This easier access could raise the level of care as well as the efficiency and profitability of South Carolina’s health care providers and help attract companies within the medical information sector to the state. Moskowitz is recognized as a leader in biomedical research and research policy administration with more than 35 years of experience in federal government, academic medicine, and research. Dr. Moskowitz is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Healthcare Quality at USC (Clemson and MUSC are partner institutions). Moskowitz holds faculty appointments at all three institutions.

		Dr. Jihad S. Obeid Endowed Chair in Biomedical Informatics at MUSC Dr. Obeid is a top expert in research databases and web-based clinical research systems, and he is known nationally for developing innovative software to manage complex datasets in clinical settings. He will work with information technology professionals throughout South Carolina to develop software and infrastructure that help researchers share data and collaborate across hospitals and universities. By making clinical trial information easier to collect and analyze, medical informatics systems enable researchers to conduct rigorous studies and more easily compare the effectiveness of different treatments for a given disease. This allows treatments to move from the lab to the patient faster and more efficiently. Dr. Obeid is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety at MUSC (Clemson and USC are partner institutions).

		Dr. John Regalbuto Endowed Chair in Renewable Fuels for Fuel Cells Dr. Regalbuto’s research is aimed at developing new catalysts for the production of hydrogen and alternative fuels from renewable sources for the transportation sector. He joined the University of South Carolina from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he served from 1986-2011. During that time, Dr. Regalbuto also served as Catalysis and Biocatalysis Program Director for the National Science Foundation, Directorate for Engineering, where he was intimately involved in the promotion of catalysis and biocatalysis for hydrocarbon biofuels. While on sabbatical leaves, he worked with the Honeywell, Division of Catalysis and Separations and the UOP Research Center. He led Summer Faculty Research Programs at the Argonne National Laboratory and the University Methane Utilization Program at Amoco Oil Company. Dr. Regalbuto is/has been a consultant to numerous organizations, including BP Chemical Company, the Korean Institute of Energy Research, Taejon, Korea; the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Vienna, Austria; Shell Chemical Company; and the Gas Research Institute, Chicago, Ill. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Regalbuto is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Renewable Fuels for Fuel Cells at the University of South Carolina.

		Dr. Kenneth Reifsnider Endowed Chair in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells at USC Dr. Reifsnider’s research is in the field of mechanical engineering, with a focus on the way that materials “behave”—their durability, damage tolerance, and the way they perform over time. His particular interest is in fuel cell science and engineering. Fuel cells are continually replenished with fuel and thus provide a continuous supply of electric power without running down like a battery. Solid oxide fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy. Applications for these fuel cells include large-scale power distribution for municipalities, rural areas, and industries, as well as heat and power for homes. They could also provide mobile power for computers, cell phones, and other electronics. Solid oxide fuel cells are highly efficient; operate with a number of fuels, including renewable fuels; and produce very low amounts of greenhouse gasses and pollution. In 2009, Reifsnider was named to the Air Force Science Advisory Board by the White House. He is the only USC researcher who is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Dr. Reifsnider is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells at USC.

		Dr. Igor Roninson Endowed Chair in Translational Cancer Therapeutics at USC Roninson is a groundbreaking researcher in cancer therapeutics whose work in pharmacogenomics—the study of how an individual’s genes affect the body’s response to drugs—could be particularly important to minority populations understudied in clinical trials. His research interests include the functional genomics of aging and longevity and chemical genomics of tumor microenvironment. His many research accomplishments in the cancer field include multidrug resistance in cancer and chemotherapy-induced senescence in tumor cells. Roninson is the president and chief scientific officer of Senex Biotechnology Inc., which is relocating to Columbia. The company focuses on research into cellular senescence—when cells stop dividing but do not die, and instead secrete proteins that contribute to cancer growth and other age-related diseases. Roninson has 39 issued U.S. patents. Dr. Roninson is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Translational Cancer Therapeutics at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

		Dr. Chris Rorden Endowed Chair in Neuroimaging at USC In addition to his SmartState Endowed Chair, Dr. Rordan serves as the Director of the McCausland Brain Imaging Center and is a tenured professor within the University of South Carolina (USC) Department of Psychology. His research focuses on understanding the problems of language and perception following stroke injury, which he studies using lesion mapping, functional MRI and transcranial magnetic stimulation. He has held four National Institutes of Health grants, and is actively involved in or recently completed 17 related research grants. Prior to joining USC, Dr. Rorden was the director of the Georgia State/Georgia Tech Center for Advanced Brain Imaging, employing state-of-the-art methods, functional magnetic resonance imaging, brain stimulation, scalp electrical recording, and sophisticated behavioral measures to understand brain function. He also served on the faculty of the Georgia Tech School of Psychology. Dr. Rorden earned his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Cambridge University, UK. Dr. Rorden is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Brain Imaging at the University of South Carolina.

		Dr. Iain Sanderson Endowed Chair in Medical Informatics at MUSC Dr. Sanderson leads initiatives in medical informatics across the state’s four largest healthcare delivery systems and three research universities. The goal of his work is improving the quality of healthcare in South Carolina by creating secure databases for medical records that make it easier for multiple healthcare systems to share vital information that is relevant for clinical trials and research. These improvements would raise the level of care as well as the efficiency and profitability of South Carolina’s health care providers and could also help attract companies within the informatics field to the state. Dr. Sanderson is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Healthcare Quality at USC (MUSC and Clemson are partner institutions). Sanderson holds faculty appointments at both MUSC and USC.

		Dr. John J. Schaefer Lewis Blackman Endowed Chair for Patient Simulation and Research for Health Sciences South Carolina Dr. Schaefer is an international expert in healthcare simulation who is working to reduce patient injury and improve medical outcomes. In South Carolina, he is developing training, equipment, and software programs that will make South Carolina a leader in the medical simulation field. One important aspect of Schaefer’s work is his development of a collaborative network of medical simulation centers across South Carolina. These centers are widely used to train physicians, nurses, and students. They include machines that simulate heart attacks, births, emergency room traumas, and more. The simulation centers allow healthcare providers to practice their skills in a controlled, risk-free environment, rather than in an actual patient setting. The use of this innovative training method results in better healthcare outcomes and increased patient safety. Dr. Schaefer is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety at MUSC.


		Dr. Souvik Sen Endowed Chair in Clinical Stroke Research at USC Dr. Sen is an expert in stroke treatment and research; his research focuses on patients in order to understand risk factors and test new approaches for stroke treatment and prevention. Specifically, his interests include acute stroke treatment (treating strokes within hours of onset) and cardio-embolic strokes (strokes caused by blood clots that develop in the heart and travel to the brain). Sen plans to work to establish a Joint Commission–certified stroke center in Columbia. The Joint Commission is a highly respected accrediting body whose certifications recognize the gold standard in stroke care providers. This Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center would be the first for the Midlands. Before arriving in South Carolina, he was the founding director of the nationally recognized University of North Carolina Stroke Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Dr. Sen is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Stroke at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

		Dr. George R. Simon The Burtschy Family Distinguished Endowed Chair in Lung Cancer Research at MUSC Dr. Simon is an expert in thoracic malignancies, with an emphasis on lung cancer and mesothelioma. His research interests include developing personalized treatment platforms for non–small cell lung cancer, novel targeted agents for the treatment of lung cancer and mesothelioma, and glucose metabolism in tumors. Simon led the first trial in the country that prescribed individualized treatments to patients with advanced stage lung cancer based on the expression of certain genes found in the patient’s tumor. These national studies have helped better define these markers and are now being tested in multicenter, international trials. Dr. Simon is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Tobacco-Related Malignancy Research at MUSC.

		Dr. Charles D. Smith Charles and Carol Cooper Chair in Pharmacy at MUSC Dr. Smith works to design new drugs to fight cancer by unlocking molecular mechanisms important for tumor growth. This research could also enable the development of new drugs to fight a variety of inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, and diabetic retinopathy. Under Smith’s leadership, MUSC’s Center for Drug Discovery has investigated additional conditions including pain, liver injury, and stroke. Working in collaboration with other Center researchers, he has identified a new target in cancer cells. Smith’s research could be integral to the growth of South Carolina’s life sciences industry. From research largely funded by the National Institutes of Health, Smith holds nine patents in his field. Dr. Smith is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Cancer Drug Discovery at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

		Dr. Rita Snyder Endowed Chair in Health Informatics Quality and Safety Evaluation at USC Dr. Snyder’s work emphasizes the use of health information technology to improve health care quality and safety. Snyder will focus on the integration and use of health information technology in South Carolina’s statewide network of medical simulation centers, which involve computerized mannequins that realistically simulate dozens of human functions. The goal of the centers is to provide a low-risk and high-quality educational environment for future clinicians to learn complex and high-risk health care procedures, such as medication administration and central line management. Snyder’s research addresses the impact of health information technology on clinical decision making in a simulated environment, and the impact of simulation learning on patient care quality and outcomes in real health care settings. Dr. Snyder is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety at MUSC (Clemson and USC are partner institutions).

		Dr. Richard Swaja Endowed Chair in Regenerative Medicine at MUSC Dr. Swaja’s work is focused on regenerative medicine—the application of tissue engineering principles to restore the structure and function of damaged tissues and organs. The goal of this work is to advance current medical practice by enabling in vivo (inside the body) regeneration of damaged tissues to return them to full functionality and in vitro production of tissue for transplantation when regeneration is not possible. Dr. Swaja is also working to build South Carolina’s bioengineering capabilities by developing statewide research, education, and economic development programs that bridge the physical and life sciences and increasing technology transfer between research institutions and industry. Dr. Swaja is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Regenerative Medicine at MUSC (Clemson and USC are partner institutions). Swaja holds faculty appointments at both MUSC and Clemson.

		Dr. Kenneth Tew The John C. West Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at MUSC Dr. Tew is an international leader in cancer drug discovery and development. His earlier research was pivotal in the design of treatments for hormone refractory prostate cancer. More recently his research has been instrumental in the late-stage clinical testing of three novel drugs; one shows promise in treating ovarian and lung cancer, and another has potential as a modifier of bone marrow mediated immune function. Tew is also working to understand how cancer cells develop resistance to different drugs. As part of that work, discoveries have suggested links between cancer and Alzheimer’s; the creation of a new knockout mouse (genetically engineered with one or more inoperable genes) may provide a useful model for studying these diseases. In 2008, Tew was elected a Fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Tew is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Translational Cancer Therapeutics at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

		Dr. Melanie Thomas Grace E. DeWolff Endowed Chair in Medical Oncology at MUSC Dr. Thomas is a leading expert on gastrointestinal cancers. Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers include those of the stomach, liver, pancreas, colon, and elsewhere in the GI tract. Research within this CoEE will include searching for new targets (proteins that play a role in the disease process and are the intended sites of drug activity) for GI cancer treatment and identifying new ways to screen for GI cancer. At MUSC, Thomas will develop a clinical trials program for liver cancer and will work with others to develop a robust research portfolio and clinical trials in other GI cancers within the CoEE. Currently, she is the principal investigator for 17 clinical trials, several of which are international. Dr. Thomas is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Gastrointestinal Cancer Diagnostics at MUSC.

		Dr. Frank Treiber Endowed Chair in Technology Applications to Prevent and Manage Disease and Reduce Risk at MUSC Dr. Treiber and his colleagues will develop technology to help citizens from all segments of society, but especially rural and underserved populations, make healthier lifestyle choices with the goal of reducing health disparities. Chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and cancer are common causes of disability and mortality, and unhealthful behaviors such as sedentary lifestyles and poor diets, along with the obesity that often results, are major reasons why people develop these chronic health problems. Potential products that could emerge from Treiber's work include software and information systems for mobile phones, personal digital assistants, i-Pod technologies and web-based programs. These products could be personalized to patients and designed to help them change their behavior by increasing physical activity, altering their diets, reducing stress, not smoking, and taking their medications on schedule. Dr. Treiber is affiliated with the Technology Center to Enhance Healthful Lifestyles at USC (MUSC is a partner institution).

		Dr. Paul Venhovens BMW Chair in Automotive Systems Integration at Clemson University Dr. Venhovens is a leader in the field of automotive systems integration; he brings both academic and industry perspectives to his role at Clemson's International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). Venhovens' research focuses on the testing of vehicle systems and their components to ensure efficient and safe operation. His research addresses the increasingly complex needs of the worldwide automotive industry as a growing number of sophisticated electronic and mechanical systems must be smoothly integrated to create the cars of today and tomorrow. Dr. Venhovens is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Automotive Systems Integration at Clemson.

		Dr. Richard A. Webb Endowed Chair in Nanoelectronics at USC At the University of South Carolina, Dr. Webb is researching new quantum devices for use in computer electronics and information technology. Webb’s scientific accomplishments include fabricating some of the world’s smallest electronic circuits, which could open the door to smaller, higher-performing electronic devices. Current products based on his discoveries include sensors to diagnose heart problems and monitor internal faults in metal structures. These electronic circuits also have military applications. Part of Webb’s work includes harnessing the spin of electrons—an important key to developing new low-power devices for future electronic applications. Webb’s work has high commercialization potential in a variety of industries and could help grow South Carolina’s presence in the advanced electronics field. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Webb is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Nanostructures at USC.

		Dr. Xuejun Wen Hansjörg Wyss Endowed Chair Professor in Regenerative Medicine at Clemson University Dr. Wen is researching ways to regenerate functional and safe human tissues. One of Wen’s focus areas is biomedical devices. Examples include a “nerve bridging” device that would use material scaffolds and grafted cells to encourage nerve cells damaged by injury to regenerate, and a “living” cochlear implant to help restore hearing loss. Wen’s other focus areas include tissue engineering and biomaterial development. Dr. Wen is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Regenerative Medicine at MUSC (Clemson and USC are partner institutions).

		Dr. Patrick Woster Endowed Chair in Medicinal Chemistry Dr. Woster is one of the nation's leading cancer drug researchers and is working to develop drugs that turn specific genes on or off in tumor cells, a process known as epigenetic modulation that can make anti-tumor medications more effective. In addition, he and his team are working to discover new treatments for diseases such as malaria and other parasitic illnesses. Woster holds eight patents based on compounds he has synthesized. His work could have a notable impact on quality of life in South Carolina by leading to improvements in both the physical well-being of cancer patients and in the economic health of the state through the creation of new companies and new job opportunities. Dr. Woster is affiliated with the SC Center of Economic Excellence in Cancer Drug Discovery at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

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