The Office of the Vice President for Research offers a variety of internal funding programs for faculty and student researchers at every level across the USC system. We are grateful to the many faculty members who generously give their time to serve as reviewers and mentors, ensuring our research programs meet the highest standards and serve the best interests of our diverse research community.
We are pleased to recognize dedicated faculty members for their dedication to supporting the research enterprise at the University of South Carolina through two internal research awards.
Distinguished Research Service Award recipients have demonstrated exceptional commitment to USC’s research community through consistent service as reviewers and committee members for our internal funding and awards programs, as well as commitment to research training programs and initiatives to grow faculty funding competitiveness.
Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Awardees have dedicated extensive time and energy to guiding undergraduate students through the research process, from developing a new project to teaching research methods and skills to providing the support needed for the student to see their project through.
Please join the Office of Research in congratulating our 2026 Distinguished Research Service Award and Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award recipients.
2026 Distinguished Research Service Award Recipients
Reilly Enos, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine Columbia
Kelly Goldberg, Ph.D.: Clinical Associate Professor, Director of USC Public Heritage Lab, Department of Anthropology, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
Wei-Kai (Bryan) Lai, Ph.D.: Professor of Mathematics, Division Chair of Math, Sciences, and Professional Studies, USC Salkehatchie
AKM Jahangir Alam Majumder, Ph.D.: Associate Professor, College of Science and Technology, USC Upstate
Natalia Shustova, Ph.D.: Peter and Bonnie McCausland Fellow, Hans Fischer Fellow, Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
Allison Sweeney, Ph.D.: Associate Professor, Department of Biobehavioral Health & Nursing Science, College of Nursing
2026 Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award Recipients
Elizabeth Easley, Ph.D.: Professor, Department of Math, Science, Nursing, and Public Health, USC Lancaster
Eric LoPresti, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
Joseph McQuail, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, School of Medicine Columbia
Caryn Outten, Ph.D.: Guy F. Lipscomb Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
Patrick Saracino, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor of Exercise, College of Education, Human Performance, and Health, USC Upstate
Toni Torres-McGehee, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, FACSM: Associate Dean for the Office of Access and Collective Engagement, Associate Professor, Director of Athletic Training Programs, Post-Professional Athletic Training Program Director, Arnold School of Public Health