South Carolina CoEE

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Current Chairs

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

		Dr. Robert Adams CoEE 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) Stoke 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 CoEE for Stroke at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

		Dr. Gary Aston-Jones William H. Murray CoEE Endowed Chair in Neuropathology 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, Dr. 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. Dr. Aston-Jones’ work has the potential to improve the lives of countless individuals and could help grow South Carolina’s presence in the life sciences industry. Dr. Aston-Jones is affiliated with the CoEE for Neuroscience at MUSC.

		Dr. Brian Benicewicz USC Nanocenter Chair of Material Science and Engineering 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. Dr. Benicewicz’s research funding includes grants from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and various private industry entities. Dr. Benicewicz is affiliated with the CoEE for Polymer Nanocomposites at USC.

		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. Dr. 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 CoEE for Neuroscience at MUSC.

		Dr. Todd H. Hubing Michelin Endowed Chair in Vehicular 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. Dr. Hubing is affiliated with the CoEE for Electronic Systems Integration at Clemson.

		Dr. Thomas R. Kurfess BMW Endowed 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. Dr. Kurfess is affiliated with the CoEE for Automotive Manufacturing at Clemson.

		Dr. John J. Lemasters CoEE Endowed Chair in Advanced Technologies 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. Dr. 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 Dr. 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 CoEE for Cancer Drug Discovery at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

		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. Dr. 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 CoEE in Regenerative Medicine at MUSC (Clemson and USC are partner institutions).

		Dr. Jay Moskowitz CoEE Endowed Chair in Clinical and Translational Research 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. Dr. 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 CoEE for Healthcare Quality at USC (MUSC and Clemson are partner institutions).

		Dr. Miguel A. Pappolla The Josephine Tucker Morse CoEE Endowed Chair in Neuropathology at MUSC Research focus: Neuron-protective compounds to fight effects of aging and disease Dr. Pappolla is working to develop neuron-protective compounds that may be able to protect humans against the damaging effects of aging and diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular disease. These compounds, which he is developing at MUSC, will likely have commercial applications in medical treatments and nutritional supplements, as well as in cosmetic creams and makeup as anti-aging ingredients. Dr. Pappolla’s research has generated two patents for neuron-protective compounds, with two more patents pending. He has earned multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and other foundations and corporations. He is also professor of neurology in the MUSC Department of Neurosciences. Dr. Pappolla is affiliated with the CoEE for Neuroscience at MUSC.

		Dr. Kenneth Reifsnider CoEE 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—creating practical and marketable fuel cells and systems that can meet future energy needs and benefit society. 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. Dr. Reifsnider is affiliated with the CoEE in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells at USC.

		Dr. Iain Sanderson CoEE 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 CoEE for Healthcare Quality at USC (MUSC and Clemson are partner institutions).

		Dr. John J. Schaefer Lewis Blackman Endowed Chair for Patient Simulation and Research for Health Sciences South Carolina Dr. Schaefer is working to reduce patient injury during airway management procedures. These procedures ensure that a person can breathe while receiving treatments such as anesthesia, CPR, or emergency medical attention. Airway management during these types of treatments is one of the most common ways health providers unintentionally hurt patients. Dr. Schaefer is determined to reduce the chances of patient injury through the use of mannequin-based simulators. These simulators grant health care providers the opportunity to practice and be evaluated on airway management skills. Although health care is one of the few high-risk industries that do not require simulation training, Dr. Schaefer is developing training scenarios, equipment, and software programs that are likely to make South Carolina a leader in the medical simulation field. Dr. Schaefer is affiliated with the CoEE for Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety at MUSC (Clemson and USC are partner institutions).

		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 CoEE for Cancer Drug Discovery at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

		Dr. Richard Swaja CoEE 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 CoEE for Regenerative Medicine at MUSC (Clemson and USC are partner institutions).

		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. Dr. Tew is affiliated with the CoEE for Translational Cancer Therapeutics at MUSC (USC is a partner institution).

		Dr. Richard A. Webb CoEE 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. Dr. Webb is affiliated with the CoEE for Nanostructures at USC.

		Dr. John Ziegert Timken Chair in Automotive Design and Development at Clemson University Dr. Ziegert is helping automotive companies be more competitive by improving the precision of their components and processes. Ziegert’s research is focused on designing instruments and machines for use in high-precision measurement and manufacturing. At the Clemson’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), Ziegert and his team are developing friction management and power transmission solutions to improve vehicle reliability and performance and reduce vehicle weight. Dr. Ziegert is affiliated with the CoEE for Automotive Design and Development at Clemson.

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