Meet our 2023 McCausland Faculty Fellows:

Of the nine 2023 USC McCausland Fellows, two SEOE faculty members have been named to the fellowship. The three-year fellowship supports early-career faculty with a salary supplement as well as funding for research.

“I am inspired by the broad range and high quality of research being conducted by this group of McCausland Faculty Fellows,” said Joel Samuels, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “They have distinguished themselves as educators and mentors for our students even as their research and service make an impact here in Columbia, throughout South Carolina, and beyond. On behalf of the entire College, I am grateful to Peter and Bonnie McCausland for their sustained support of our outstanding early career faculty.” 

Besim Dragovic, School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment Besim Dragovic, School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment Besim Dragovic’s research on plate tectonics and fluid-rock interactions extends beyond traditional geochronology to uncover new knowledge of Earth’s processes that are more important now than ever before. His focus on geothermal pathways and rates of change is key to understanding Earth’s continued evolution, particularly in the face of climate change.   Dragovic has brought an impressive amount of external funding to the university, while simultaneously exceeding research productivity, publication and impact goals. His students consistently provide excellent feedback on his classroom and mentoring presence. Peter Chametzky, interim director of SEOE, noted that Dragovic’s accomplishments are a “remarkable contribution from an early-career researcher.”

David Fuente, School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment (SEOE) David Fuente’s research brings together sanitation, economics and urban planning. His work on the water infrastructure of sub-Saharan Africa has had global ramifications. His recent work in Alaska included data from nearly inaccessible people groups, which he could obtain only by building long-term trust. His gift for working with people, communities and governments has made him an influential voice in his field. Peter Chametzky, Interim Director of the SEOE says: “His work produces practical results that draw serious interest from such organizations as the World Health Organization and the World Bank. This breadth is extraordinary, and he has an extremely bright future.”