About

For an overview of the Office of Research Development's (ORD) services and resources, please review our self-paced introductory course. This page leads to an external site and opens in a new window.

Our Mission

The ORD bridges divisions, departments, and colleges to advance the competitiveness of MUSC's research by designing and executing strategic, proactive, and catalytic activities aimed at securing extramural funding. 

Our Focus

• Facilitating Research Communication
• Providing Expert Consultation
• Creating Research Resources
• Enhancing Professional Development

Our Services

Proposal Development

• Assist with development of large scale, multi-component proposals
• Develop and maintain institutional data for proposals
• Identify collaborative opportunities, promote collaboration
• Coordinate limited submissions
  
  

Funding Opportunities

• Build relationships with external funding agencies
• Identify strategic funding opportunities
• Publish Funding Focus weekly
• Provide individual funding consultations based on research interests
  
  

Research Education

• Organize seminars, workshops, and resources to support proposals
• Publish Research Connections, highlighting MUSC news and events
• Deliver access and instruction for individualized funding alerts
• Interpret sponsor guidelines, requirements, and expectations

Our Team

Carla Stipe, MBA

Carla was appointed as the Director of the Office of Research Development in 2016. Previously, Carla served as Assistant Director for Research Development within the Hollings Cancer Center for several years and supported the center’s National Cancer Institute redesignation in 2014. She has a strong record of leadership, achievement, and innovation in managing the submission of large-scale, multi-investigator grants.

843-792-0869
stipecar@musc.edu

Wanda H. Pierce, CRA

Wanda Hutto Pierce, Associate Director in the Office of Research Development, engages with internal and external partners to foster new funding strategies with federal agencies and private and public foundations. She also manages specialized funding opportunities such as the Pew and Searle Scholars programs, Governor’s Award, and the Blue Sky Award. Wanda is also the content manager and creator for the research matters blog. She co-directs the Learning Initiative for Faculty in Training (LIFT) Academy and other Research Education workshops and seminars. Wanda holds an appointment as an MUSC Academic Affairs faculty member. 

843-792-0867
piercewh@musc.edu

Kimberly Cannady, Ph.D.

Kimberly Cannady serves as the Assistant Director in the ORD where she supports faculty teams in the development of institutional training grant and multi-component grant submissions and coordinates and manages professional development workshops and webinars. Before joining the ORD in 2017, Kimberly worked as the Community Health Educator for Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC where she established and facilitated statewide community partnerships and traveled across South Carolina to teach medically underserved communities about cancer treatment options and prevention. 

Kimberly holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics from the University of Virginia and a BS in Chemistry from Fayetteville State University. She is a Scholar of the inaugural class of the David J. and Kathy Cole Building and Retaining Inclusive High-Potential Talent and Excellence Leadership Program.

843-792-0870
cannadyk@musc.edu

Andie Edwards

Andie Edwards, Proposal Development Administrator, provides support to MUSC faculty through research proposal preparation, educational workshops, identifying relevant funding opportunities, and disseminating valuable research-related information across campus. Andie previously served as the Hollings Cancer Center Assistant Director of Research Development for four years prior to joining the ORD in 2020.

adelman@musc.edu

Nicole Williams

Nicole Williams, Research Development Coordinator, supports the ORD mission by collaborating with the team on proposal development activities and research education initiatives. She assists with all aspects of proposal development, reviews and edits proposals, and supports the SBIR/STTR proposal process. Nicole has a strong research background with 10+ years of bench experience in life science research allowing her to be a bridge between research and proposal development.  

willinic@musc.edu