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University of south carolina
Breakthroughs in leadership
The Office of Research's Breakthrough Leadership in Research Award honors faculty whose interdisciplinary collaboration, mentoring and other efforts demonstrate the highest caliber of academic leadership. The eight inaugural winners share their thoughts on what they do and why they do it. “I made a conscious decision several years ago to invest time, effort and interest in the research development of other faculty, while maintaining my own scientific program and have never regretted doing so.”
“We are here to generate new knowledge and to teach. Ideally, the two activities should be one. Teaching and research become one when we mentor students in the laboratory.” - Lucia Pirisi-Creek, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
“There is little that is more gratifying to senior faculty than to help young people navigate the complexities and challenges of becoming a scientist and an academic. It is at the root of what I consider to be the most important role that I have.”
“A big emphasis of mine in recent years has been mentoring junior faculty and graduate students. I feel that I owe that. It’s my responsibility to help these younger people because I didn’t have it when I came here, but I had it in spades when I was in grad school. I feel an obligation to pay forward what others gave to me.”
- Ron Prinz, Department of Psychology “Our graduate students are almost like consultants. Instead of having them do a thesis, I match them up with a client and they go out and solve a real-life problem.” - Simon Hudson, Center for Economic Excellence in Tourism
- Frank Berger, Department of Biological Sciences
- Michael Sutton, Department of Mechanical Engineering
“We accumulate treasures for the state’s citizens, for every future student, but we share them with everybody. These digitization projects are about public generosity, public goodwill. And I think that’s a big part of the leadership equation.” - Scott Gwara, Department of English and Comparative Literature, project leader in the effort to digitize and promote USC’s medieval manuscript collection
“I see myself as a leader, but I also see myself as a servant of the people, particularly people who are disenfranchised. That means not trying to do things for the people, not dictating ‘this is what needs to be done,’ but doing things with the people based on their community’s particular needs.”
Breakthrough magazine, the official publication of USC’s Office of Research, returns in December with a new look and a range of stories highlighting the latest research from around the Carolina community. The winter 2014 cover story explores assistant professor of pharmacology, physiology and neuroscience Susan Wood’s research on the link between depression and cardiovascular disease. Other stories focus on the research of social work professors Dana DeHart, Aidyn Iachini and Teri Browne, statistics professor Don Edwards and
S CIENCE CORNER Size matters
One of the thinnest membranes ever made is also highly discriminating when it comes to the molecules going through it. Assistant professor of chemical engineering Miao Yu led a team that used tiny flakes of graphene oxide to construct a “molecular sieve” just two or three atoms thick. It lets helium and hydrogen through easily, but not larger molecules like carbon dioxide. “Having membranes so thin is a big advantage in separation technology,” says Yu. He thinks the technology could be used to make filters that clean water tainted by fracking operations and is working with the university to develop the intellectual property.
- Albert Goodyear, S.C. Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, lead investigator at the Topper archeological dig in Allendale County
- Gloria Boutte, Department of Instruction and Teacher Education
On the verge of a Breakthrough
undergraduate Casey Cole.
“The work at Topper has been years in the making, involving a lot of really wonderful people — from donors and volunteers to students, news media and several talented colleagues. I’m truly amazed at the number of dedicated people who have had a hand in our success.”
uscTIMES Vol. 24, No.18 Nov. 18, 2013 USC Times is published 20 times a year for the faculty and staff of the University of South Carolina by the Division of Communications.
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation or veteran status.
Managing editor: Liz McCarthy Designer: Linda Dodge Contributors: Peggy Binette, Craig Brandhorst, Frenché Brewer, Glenn Hare, Thom Harman, Chris Horn, Page Ivey, Steven Powell, Megan Sexton and Jeff Stensland Photographers: Kim Truett To reach us: 803-777-2848 or lizmccarthy@sc.edu Campus correspondents: Patti McGrath, Aiken Candace Brasseur, Beaufort Shana Dry, Lancaster Jane Brewer, Salkehatchie Misty Hatfield, Sumter Tammy Whaley, Upstate Jay Darby, Palmetto College