If you meet Joshua Payne for even a minute, you’ll notice his energy. He talks about research with excitement that makes you want to learn more, which is impressive, considering he once thought he’d never do research at all.
Joshua is a Capstone Scholar and came to USC from nearby Lugoff, South Carolina as a First Generation student planning to study Biochemistry and Molecular Biology on the way to medical school. One too many high-school research papers made him hesitant to pursue research in college. But once he got to campus, friends and professors helped him see that he could be involved in research that directly helps communities and contributes to new knowledge.
His first step was browsing the Office of Undergraduate Research’s Faculty Research Database and filtering by topics he cared about, like biochemistry, maternal health, and rural healthcare. That search led him to Dr. Sayward Harrison in the Department of Psychology. After reaching out, Joshua joined Dr. Harrison and co-investigator Dr. Pieter Baker (Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics) in the summer of 2025 to work on a project studying harm reduction clinics in North and South Carolina. These clinics operate syringe service programs that help reduce the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C among people who use drugs. The project looks at how these programs are implemented, who they reach, how accessible they are, and what kind of impact they’re having on communities.
That experience opened the door to another project in Fall 2025, this time focused on the national Bicillin shortage that began in 2023. Bicillin is the first-line treatment for syphilis and the only approved therapy for pregnant individuals with syphilis and infants exposed in utero. The shortage is a major public-health concern, especially given that congenital syphilis can lead to stillbirth in roughly 40% of cases. Dr. Harrison describes the importance of this research, “When infants are born with this dangerous infection, it can cause lifelong health problems or even death. Giving undergraduates the chance to work on real-world public health problems not only improves our team science but also provides experiences that will shape their future careers.”
The team is exploring potential racial and ethnic disparities in prescribing patterns and how communities are being affected. This research into sensitive health issues helped Joshua recognize that these topics must be discussed openly and without stigma for the benefit of patients.
These projects were outside the scope of typical biochemistry research, but that’s exactly why Joshua pursued these opportunities. “Research has made me more knowledgeable and given me deeper insight into sexual health and infectious disease,” he says. “It’s helped me think more carefully about what area of medicine I want to go into, and it helps me understand people’s lived experiences and how that impacts their health.”
Joshua works about five hours a week with Dr. Harrison’s team, supported by a Fall 2025 Magellan Journey Grant from the Office of Undergraduate Research. The grant provides up to $1,000 for first- and second-year students as salary for their work on a research project. “It means a lot,” Joshua says. “It frees up my time to focus on school and research without having to worry about getting a part-time job.”
Along the way, he’s gained skills in time management, professional writing, and teamwork. He’s also built strong mentoring relationships, something Dr. Harrison values deeply. “Joshua has a passion for exploring ways to improve health in South Carolina,” she says. “In our Healthy Futures Lab, he eagerly jumped into complex projects that explore the intersection of infectious disease and substance use, as well as how we can improve behavioral health care for residents of our state. One of the best parts of my job as a USC faculty member is to have the opportunity to mentor bright, eager students like Joshua, who bring enthusiasm and new perspectives into our research.”
If you see Joshua around campus, maybe while he is tutoring in the TRIO OSP MIWIL Lab, attending MCH LEAP events, joining Changing Carolina Peer Leaders meetings, or hanging out with fellow Capstone students, ask him about his research. You’ll see his passion firsthand. You’ll also get a glimpse of how his Undergraduate Research is making an impact on healthcare in South Carolina and opening doors to new skills, mentors, and opportunities that are defining his college experience.