USC Research

🚨UPDATE!: The registration deadline has been extended for the Creativity in Human and Artificial Systems Conference 🚨

🗓️Register by Tuesday, March 17 to reserve your seat.

🗓️Abstract submissions are also open through Tuesday, March 17.

🚨UPDATE!: The registration deadline has been extended for the Creativity in Human and Artificial Systems Conference 🚨

📅Register by Tuesday, March 17 to reserve your seat.

📅Abstract submissions are also open through Tuesday, March 17.

Graphic with a garnet and cream design reading: “Congratulations — 2026 Distinguished Research Service Award Recipients.” Listed are Reilly Enos, Ph.D. (School of Medicine Columbia); Kelly Goldberg, Ph.D. (McCausland College of Arts and Sciences); Wei-Kai (Bryan) Lai, Ph.D. (USC Salkehatchie); AKM Jahangir Alam Majumder, Ph.D. (USC Upstate); Natalia Shustova, Ph.D. (McCausland College of Arts and Sciences); and Allison Sweeney, Ph.D. (College of Nursing). At left, a group photo shows the following people standing on outdoor steps in front of a campus building (listed top to bottom and left to right): Julius Fridriksson, Reilly Enos, Bryan Lai, Emily Devereux, Kelly Goldberg, Natalia Shustova, AKM Jahangir Alam Majumder and Allison Sweeney.

Graphic with a garnet and cream design reading: “Congratulations — 2026 Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award Recipients.” Listed are Elizabeth Easley, Ph.D. (USC Lancaster); Eric LoPresti, Ph.D. (McCausland College of Arts and Sciences); Joseph McQuail, Ph.D. (School of Medicine Columbia); Caryn Outten, Ph.D. (McCausland College of Arts and Sciences); Patrick Saracino, Ph.D. (USC Upstate); and Toni Torres–McGehee, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, FACSM (Arnold School of Public Health). At right, a group photo shows the following people standing on outdoor steps in front of a campus building (listed top to bottom and left to right): Julius Fridriksson, Toni Torres-McGehee, Lauren Clark, Emily Devereux, Joseph McQuail, Caryn Outten and Eric LoPresti.

This time last week we were celebrating the amazing faculty who dedicate their time to support our research programs and our undergraduate research community. We are honored to have the support of these outstanding faculty members!

More on their awards: https://tinyurl.com/2tha87bh

Graphic promoting the “IMB 2026 Conference: Creativity in Human & Artificial Systems” at the University of South Carolina on Fri., March 27th, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, at Capstone House. Sponsored by the USC Office of the VP for Research & the Institute for Mind & Brain. A QR code invites viewers to register, submit a research or artwork abstract, view the agenda & more info at the same link posted with this image. Registration & abstract submission close March 12. Free event with food provided for the first 100 registrants. Featured speakers: Jeff Charney (“Creative Decision-Making, Marketing & Artificial Creativity”); Ezra Zubrow (“Homo digitalis: My Grandfather is an Algorithm”); Emily Schwitzgebel (“The Effect of the Musical Algorithm on Listener Cognition & Creativity”); Rex Jung (“Individual Differences, Brain Structure & Creativity”); Sabrina Habib (“AI & Human Creativity: Working Together”); Roger Beaty (“Cognitive & Neural Mechanisms of Creative Thinking”).

You are invited to the FREE Creativity in Human and Artificial Systems Conference at USC. Join us Fri., March 27! Students and postdocs are invited to present a scholarly poster or original piece of artwork 🖍️ 🎨🧠 🔬 🧪

Register by March 12. https://tinyurl.com/IMB-Conference-2026

Red graphic with a photo of two men at Discover USC. Text reads "Discover USC Presenters Register TODAY!" "It is the last day for undergraduate, graduate, medical, and postdoc scholars to register to present!" "All presenters must register by today at midnight" "For more information, visit sc.edu/DiscoverUSC"

FINAL CALL for presenters at USC's 10th annual Discover USC! Scholars of all kinds are invited to prepare and present their research to a room full of peers, reviewers, and the public. Register at https://tinyurl.com/DUSCPresenter by TODAY at midnight to join us!

University of South Carolina promotional graphic for a “Carnegie Classification Presentation.” Large headline reads “CARNEGIE CLASSIFICATION Presentation.” Text invites attendees to learn about the importance of the Carnegie designation, how it guides institutional work, and future goals. Event details: Tuesday, March 3, 9–11 AM; breakfast pastries, coffee, and juice provided starting at 8:30 AM. Location: Russell House University Union Theater. Speaker: Marisol Morales, Executive Director of the Carnegie Elective Classifications at the American Council on Education. Labeled as a “FREE IN-PERSON EVENT,” highlighting new and expanded Carnegie categories and institutions’ support of students’ economic and social mobility. Design includes blue and teal shapes, circular graphics, a photo of an audience, and a circular headshot of the speaker. Logos for the Division of Access, Civil Rights and Community Engagement and the Office of Research appear at the bottom.

Join us tomorrow as we welcome Marisol Morales to the Russell House to give an overview of the Carnegie Classifications, a leading framework for recognizing and describing U.S. higher education institutions. Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend.

The image features the newsletter banner heading for USC's LinkedIn-based newsletter, Breaking Through. The image displays the text "Breaking Through" in bold font, with "Research Newsletter of the University of South Carolina" written below. The background is a geometric pattern in USC garnet.

USC researchers are harnessing the power of AI to advance discovery for a better South Carolina. In this month's edition of our LinkedIn newsletter Breaking Through, read stories of AI innovation in pharmacy, law, marine biology and more.
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/Breaking-Through-Feb26

Positive childhood experiences are important for long-term outcomes, but not everyone gets them

📰 New research from the Rural Health Research Center has found that children with special health care needs are less likely to have even one positive childhood experience. ow.ly/YzUI50YmWJE
@uscresearch.bsky.social @peiyinhung.bsky.social

The image features the newsletter banner heading for USC's LinkedIn-based newsletter, Breaking Through. The image displays the text "Breaking Through" in bold font, with "Research Newsletter of the University of South Carolina" written below. The background is a geometric pattern in USC garnet.

USC researchers are harnessing the power of AI to advance discovery for a better South Carolina. In this month's edition of our LinkedIn newsletter Breaking Through, read stories of AI innovation in pharmacy, law, marine biology and more.
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/Breaking-Through-Feb26

Event invitation graphic from the University of South Carolina. At the top are logos for the Division of Access, Civil Rights and Community Engagement and the Office of Research. Main text reads: “Requests the pleasure of your presence for a timely presentation exploring expanded and new designations.” Large bold title: “CARNEGIE CLASSIFICATION.” Event details: March 3, 2026; 9:00–11:00 AM; Russell House Theater. Breakfast pastries, coffee, and juice provided starting at 8:30 AM. Speaker: Marisol Morales, Executive Director of the Carnegie Classifications at the American Council on Education. A “Join Us” button appears above text stating that faculty, staff, and students all have a role in using tools like the Carnegie Classification to center student success and focus on the true value of higher education. The design features blue and white curved shapes and includes a circular headshot of the speaker in the lower right.

Have you ever heard the term "R1 University" and wondered what that means? It's an short version of USC's Carnegie Classification of "Research 1: Very High Spending and Doctorate Production." Join us on Tues., March 3, to learn more about these important academic designations.

A formal announcement graphic with a black background featuring a subtle Art Deco–style scallop pattern. At the top, large white all-caps text reads: “CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2026 DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH SERVICE AWARD.” Below are six circular headshots arranged in two rows of three, each labeled with name and affiliation. Top row (left to right): Reilly Enos — School of Medicine Columbia; Kelly Goldberg — McCausland College of Arts and Sciences; Wei-Kai (Bryan) Lai — USC Salkehatchie. Bottom row (left to right): AKM Jahangir Alam Majumder — USC Upstate; Natalia Shustova — McCausland College of Arts and Sciences; Allison Sweeney — College of Nursing. All text is white and centered beneath each photo in a symmetrical, professional layout.

We are excited to honor six faculty members for their exceptional commitment to USC’s research community through consistent service as reviewers and committee members for our internal funding and awards programs.

Learn more about the 2026 DRSA awardees: https://tinyurl.com/DRSA-DURMA-2026.

Hey scholars! This is the LAST WEEK to register to present at Discover USC this year. Go ahead and register now if you haven’t already! 🤙🔬📚

From cathodes ➕ to anodes ➖ USC researchers know batteries. In the latest Research at USC video, find out how understanding basic battery structures is inspiring the new battery material innovations that will literally power South Carolina's future. ☀️ 🍃 🔋

Undergrad to postdoc, if you have a research project that you'd like to present we invite you to register for Discover USC! Register at https://tinyurl.com/DUSCPresenter 📚🧪🔬

Garnet and white graphic that showcases a photo of a presenter and a reviewer at DIscover USC. The text reads "Discover USC Presenters Register Now! Undergraduate, graduate, medical, and postdoc scholars are encouraged to register today! Must register by Wednesday, March 4, 2026. For more information, visit sc.edu/DiscoverUSC

Calling all scholars! If you have a research project that you'd like to present, we invite you to register for the 10th annual Discover USC! Register at https://tinyurl.com/DUSCPresenter

High-Impact Research at USC: What's Top of Mind in 2026 🧠 Here at the University of South Carolina, we are gearing up for an action-packed 2026. This inaugural issue of Breaking Through explores what's in store, including the much-anticipated launch of USC's...

We’re gearing up for an action-packed 2026! Check out the inaugural issue of Breaking Through, our monthly LinkedIn newsletter celebrating our transformative efforts in the Palmetto State. Check it out and subscribe: tinyurl.com/BreakingThro....

• Garnet graphic featuring a photograph of two smiling Discover USC presenters posing with Cocky and giving the “spurs up” hand sign in front of their research posters. At the top of the graphic is the headline “Discover USC registration open today!” To access all the details you need to register for Discover USC, visit the page linked in the post caption.

Discover USC, USC’s yearly showcase of research, scholarship, creativity and leadership is now accepting registration from all undergrad, grad, medical and postdoc scholars. All scholars are welcome. See https://tinyurl.com/DUSCRegistration for more information about the event.

“I’m proud, but not surprised, that this outstanding research team has been awarded a prestigious NIH Fragile X Center of Excellence award,” said Julius Fridriksson, USC Vice President for Research.

Congrats to the interdisciplinary research team on this prestigious award!

Sunscreen produces persistent free radicals when exposed to light, a recent study finds

New research from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences explores how common sunscreen ingredients behave under light exposure. Led by associate professor Eric Vejerano, the team tested seven commercially available sunscreens. ow.ly/8KLM50XVuT9 #ResearchThatMatters @uscresearch.bsky.social

photo of Peiyin Hung and Curisa Tucker New Research Black individuals in urban areas were at highest risk of postpartum readmission. Rural residence was also associated with increased readmission risk and seemed to eclipse differences in readmission rates by race/ethnicity.

Research led by @peiyinhung.bsky.social (top photo) and Curisa Tucker untangles residence and race when looking at postpartum hospital readmissions. Learn more with their recent @jamanetworkopen.com publication ➡️ ow.ly/3Iji50XGPtM #ResearchThatMatters @uscresearch.bsky.social

photo of Victoria Adebiyi

What influences a mother’s breastfeeding decision while returning to work? Doctoral graduate Victoria Adebiyi investigates ➡️ ow.ly/8Kqm50XHpST #ForeverToThee25 @uofscalumni.bsky.social @uscresearch.bsky.social

A comic-book style panel designed to help chemistry students better understand the concept of isomers.

At USC Lancaster, chemistry prof Li Cai & art prof Sahar Aghasafari used a RISE award to develop cross-disciplinary study tools to engage students at the intersection of art & chemistry. RISE is accepting USC system faculty proposals through Dec. 16. 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/e974xmmr

Julius Fridriksson and Judi Gatson sit on a cozy WIS10 News interview set, discussing USC Brain Health to promote the free screening of the documentary My Mama Joe: Hope and Help that was held on Friday, November 7, at the Nickelodeon Theater in Columbia, SC.

Judi Gatson interviews Julius Fridriksson outside of the Nickelodeon Theater in Columbia South Carolina, just before a free screening of the documentary My Mama Joe: Hope and Help, held on Friday, November 7.

Julius Fridriksson, Dr. Macie P. Smith and Judi Gatson discuss brain health in South Carolina just before a free screening of the documentary My Mama Joe: Hope and Help at the Nickelodeon Theater in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday, November 7.

A photo of the discussion panel just after the screening of My Mama Joe: Hope and Help at the Nickelodeon Theater in Columbia, SC, on Friday, November 7, 2025. Pictured from left to right are Judi Gatson, Tori Anderson, Dottie McDowell, Macie P. Smith and Julius Fridriksson.

From the promotional interview at WIS 10 studios to the big day itself, we had a wonderful time with the Mama Joe Project when they visited the Palmetto State last week. A big thank you to USC Brain Health for sponsoring this important event!

A comic-book style panel designed to help chemistry students better understand the concept of isomers.

Chemistry is often challenging for incoming students, but a collab between USC Lancaster chemistry prof Li Cai and art and design prof Sahar Aghasafari is creating new interdisciplinary study tools through their ChemArtistry project.

🔗 https://tinyurl.com/e974xmmr

This image is a flyer for My Mama Joe: Hope and Help screenings in South Carolina. We invite users to join us for the screening in Columbia, SC, on Friday, November 7, at 12:00 p.m., at the Nickelodeon Theater on Main Street in Columbia, South Carolina.

🧠 🫂 Today is the day! Join USC Brain Health at noon at the Nickelodeon Theater for a free screening of My Mama Joe: Hope and Help, a moving documentary about one family's Alzheimer's experience. Plus a panel discussion: Judi Gatson, Julius Fridriksson, Dr. Macie P. Smith and the My Mama Joe Project.

A grey pull quote box containing a quote from Math Professor Yi Sun in garnet text that reads: "I want to apply everything to my method, the kinetic Monte Carlo simulation." To the right of the quote is a circular-framed photo of professor Sun engaged in teaching at the front of a classroom.

Our office has supported faculty research through the ASPIRE program since 2012. Math prof Yi Sun used his ASPIRE funds to publish in a top transpo engineering journal & promote a method he developed to ⬆️ the efficiency of movement simulations. 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/ksd46fda
@uofsccas.bsky.social

ASPIRE AI funding enables estuarine eavesdropping Eric Montie and his team at the University of South Carolina Beaufort aim to answer questions about marine life with underwater acoustic analysis.

ASPIRE AI was created to support research involving AI across disciplines. Prof. Eric Montie at University of South Carolina Beaufort, is integrating AI into his research on underwater soundscapes. 👂 🌊 🐬 🦑

🔗 https://tinyurl.com/5bf3dw5j

A grey pull quote box containing a quote from Math Professor Yi Sun in garnet text that reads: "I want to apply everything to my method, the kinetic Monte Carlo simulation." To the right of the quote is a circular-framed photo of professor Sun engaged in teaching at the front of a classroom.

Math prof Yi Sun is laser-focused on computational models of movement, applying his method to better understand tissue dynamics, disease spread & even pedestrian flow. His goal? Revolutionize how scholars use simulations to answer big questions. 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/ksd46fda
@uofsccas.bsky.social

USC Beaufort Professor Eric Montie (far right ) poses with his research team at a recent research gathering.

Biology professor Eric Montie and his team at USC Beaufort spend a lot of time studying the sounds of estuaries. Thanks to AI, Montie’s team is poised to save time on acoustic analysis so they can find answers hidden within a decade-long dataset 🔗https://tinyurl.com/5bf3dw5j🐟 🐬 🌊

Join us at the movies this Friday! Check out details below on a free screening of My Mama Joe: Hope and Help, sponsored by USC Brain Health.
📅Fri., Nov. 7
⌚Noon to 2 pm
📍The Nickelodeon Theater, Main St.
👉Sign up: www.mamajoeproject.com/southcarolina
🫂Panel: Judi Gatson, Julius Fridriksson & more