College of Arts and Sciences

UofSC Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Center of Excellence

Headed by Jane Roberts (Department of Psychology) and Jeff Twiss (Department of Biological Sciences), this initiative aims to build a multi-disciplinary, collaborative center for basic, clinical, and intervention research and education in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders at the University of South Carolina.

Recent News and Events

USCAND Affiliate featured in Spectrum News

Spectrum News recently featured the work of the USCAND faculty affiliate Sofia Lizarraga's lab. Spectrum News is a renowned online media outlet funded by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) that provides comprehensive news and analysis of advances in autism research. Dr. Lizarraga's lab is investigating the role of ASH1L in neuronal morphogenesis. ASH1L is a chromatin regulator whose mutations have been linked to autism spectrum disorders. One of Dr. Lizarraga's graduate students, Janay Vacharasin, presented their work at the 2021 Society for Neuroscience Global Connectome, where her presentation caught the eye of a journalist from Spectrum News.

Spring 2021 USCAND Seminars

We have three new seminars scheduled for Spring 2021 - Dr. Clare Harrop (01/28), Dr. Jaclyn Schwarz (02/02), and Dr. Kristina Deninsova (02/09). Head to our events page for more information, including the Zoom info so you can join us!

USCAND Pilot Grants Awarded

USCAND has awarded two pilot grants to facilitate interdisciplinary research into neurodevelopmental disorders. Congratulations to Jessica Bradshaw, Amet Sheth, and Ugug Kurunscu (Development of an Instrumented, Intelligent Infant Interaction Laboratory for the Prediction of Autism Spectrum Disorder) and David Mott, Fiona Hollis, and Jessica Klusek (Role of Amygdala in Emotional and Social Behavioral Deficits in Fragile X Syndrome)!

2020 SCAND Research Symposium Postponed

Based on ongoing developments regarding the COVID-19 situation, the SCAND Planning Committee has cancelled the 2020 Symposium that was to be held on March 20, 2020 in Greenville, SC., with the hopes of rescheduling in Fall 2020 or Spring 2021. Stay tuned for updates!

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.