AAAS names 6 researchers “Fellows”

Six researchers in the University of South Carolina’s College of Arts and Sciences-- Ron Benner, biological sciences; Will Graf, geography; Austin Hughes, biological sciences; James Morris, Baruch Institute and biological sciences; Robert Thunell, earth and ocean sciences; and Hanno zur Loye, chemistry and biochemistry-- have achieved the distinction of “AAAS Fellow” conferred  by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Stephen Kresovich, vice president for research and graduate education, called the recognition ”an objective measure of the scientific rigor of [our] research enterprise” and expressed pride in “ these leaders in their respective fields.”

Mousseau named AVP for research and graduate education
Tim Mousseau, a biological sciences professor and associate dean for research and graduate education in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been named associate vice president for research and graduate education, effective Jan. 16. He joins Pam Benicewicz, who was named associate vice president for research and graduate education last fall.

"Tim has proven himself highly effective at synergizing faculty from diverse academic backgrounds for the pursuit of research and student funding opportunities,” said Stephen Kresovich, USC’s vice president for research and graduate education. “He has led or helped to facilitate new research opportunities for students in science, math, and engineering; and to support new centers, institutes, and initiatives in areas including digital humanities, media arts, Chinese studies, mass spectrometry, ecological forecasting, and brain imaging."

Mousseau’s new responsibilities will include helping oversee and strengthen the USC’s research enterprise, scholarly and creative endeavors, and graduate training, and advancing productive relationships with industry, government research labs, funding agencies, and foundations.

SC AA cervical cancer, health disparities higher
A study by Arnold School of Public Health researchers Drs. Heather Brandt and Saundra Glover (also director of the Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities) reports African-American (AA) women in South Carolina (SC) are 37 percent more likely to have cervical cancer than white women and have a death rate that is about 61 percent higher, The study also found that AA women in rural SC are among the least likely to get recommended screenings, including the Pap test, that are key to the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. South Carolina ranks 14th in the nation in cervical cancer deaths.