SCTR Predoctoral Training Program in Translational Research

• Two-year, full-time research training program (minimum 40 hours/week)
• Supports up to four predoctoral trainees at a time for a two-year appointment period
• Provides structured mentorship, coursework, and experiential learning tailored to translational research
• Focuses on developing trainees into independent scientists and research leaders

Trainees in the T32 program receive annually:

• Stipend support at the NRSA-established levels for pre-doctoral trainees. Mentors are required to supplement the trainee’s stipend up to the amount required by their respective colleges.
• Tuition fees up to $16,000 for Ph.D. students; up to $21,000 for students in a combined dual-degree program (Fall & Spring only)
• $4,750 of project funds & training-related expenses (including student health insurance)
• $1,500 in travel funds for travel to the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) national meeting. Trainees funded for a second year may choose to attend a meeting relevant to their research.
• $3,000 in childcare costs is available for each trainee in addition to training funds. 
  
  Note: Trainees are not considered employees; taxes may apply depending on residency status.

• Full-time Ph.D. or dual-degree students with a strong interest in clinical and translational research
• US citizen, non-citizen national, or lawful permanent resident
• Ineligible if: first or last year of graduate school, already hold a doctoral degree, enrolled in professional-degree-only programs, or currently supported by other federal funds

Applicants in Pharm.D./Ph.D. or D.M.D./Ph.D. programs should contact the program prior to applying.

• T32-specific courses and seminars:
  • Designing a Rigorous Extramural Fellowship Application (CGS 817)
  • MSTP Seminar (CGS 820)
  • Principles, Practices, and Professionalism (CGS 770)
  • Translational Research Journal Club (CGS 815)
  • Translational Science Clinic (MDCOR 871)
  • Month in the Research Nexus (MDCOR 832)
• Professional development: ACTS Conference, Mentorship Symposium, Halushka Student Research Day, Innovation Week events, and a career development conference of choice
• Academics requirements: Maintain good standing (GPA > 3.0) and make satisfactory progress toward the degree
• Expected outcomes: At least one first-author publication, completion of an Individual Development Plan, NIH progress reporting, and an ORCiD ID

All applications will be submitted online using the InfoReady application portal. Review the Application FAQs document on InfoReady for detailed instructions on the steps and processes for applying.

The following documents are available on InfoReady.

• T32 RFA
• T32 Program FAQs
• T32 Application FAQs

Rachel Biggs, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Amy Bradshaw, Ph.D.
Research Project: Characterization and modification of persistently activated human cardiac fibroblasts from patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction.
Current Position: Student (M.D. Candidate, University of South Carolina School of Medicine)

Yongjoo (Jennifer) Cho, M.D./Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Christopher Cowan, Ph.D.
Research Project: Investigating the role of MEF2C in cortical inhibitory neurons
Current Position: Transitional Year Resident, Summerville Medical Center/HCA

John (Gray) Evans, M.D./Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Eric Meissner, M.D./Ph.D.
Research Project: Role of IFNLR1 Receptor Dynamics and Plasticity in Regulating Cellular Response to Type-III Interferons
Current Position: Anesthesiology Resident, University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Alexander Oles, M.D./Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Denis Guttridge, Ph.D.
Research Project: Elucidating components of novel MyoD co-repressor complex on stemness genes
Current Position: Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, Mayo Clinic

Rosaria Rae, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Lori McMahon, Ph.D.
Research Project: Potential Benefit of Estrogen in Early Alzheimer's Disease
Current Position: Application Scientist, NeuroNexus

Alyssa Risner, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Antonis Kourtidis, Ph.D.
Research Project: Cadherin complexes recruit PIWI to suppress transposons and pro-tumorigenic transformation
Current Position: Biology Model Validation Fellow, Handshake

Rachel Stubler, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Amy Engevik, Ph.D.
Research Project: Connecting Myosin 5b and Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase in Human Intestinal Inflammation
Current Position: Adjunct Professor, St. John Fisher University and Nazareth University

Catherine Bridges Adams, M.D./Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Christopher W. Cowan, Ph.D.
Research Project: Microglial Contributions to MEF2C Haploinsufficiency Syndrome
Current Position: Radiology Resident, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Daniel Bonthius, M.D./Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Hai Yao, M.D./Ph.D.
Research Project: Analysis of the Rib Construct for Treatment of Early Onset Spinal Deformity with Hypokyphosis
Current Position: Emergency Medicine Resident, Florida Atlantic University

Jasmine Cash, Ph.D.
College of Health Professions
Mentor: Chris M. Gregory, Ph.D., PT
Research Project: Characterizing Lower Extremity Neurophysiologic Responses to Sensory Augmentation After Stroke
Current Position: Adjunct Instructor, Southeastern College

Amelia Furbish, Ph.D./PharmD
College of Graduate Studies/College of Pharmacy
Mentor: Patrick M. Woster, Ph.D.
Research Project: Small Molecule Inhibitors of Spermine Oxidase and Implications for Neuronal Injury
Current Position: Research Scientist (Medicinal Chemistry), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Christine (Couch) Kestner, Ph.D.
College of Health Professions
Mentor: Stephen Tomlinson, Ph.D.
Research Project: Effect of Age and Smoking on Outcomes After Stroke and Anti-Inflammatory Therapies
Current Position: Scientific Writer, Brain and Beyond and Design for Biotech

Carter Allen, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Dongjun Chung, Ph.D.
Research Project: Investigation of systemic sclerosis pathways using a novel data integration approach and the stochastic block model
Current Position: Senior Advisor, Discovery Statistics and Bioinformatics, Eli Lilly and Company

Mary Catherine Bridges, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Antonis Kourtidis, Ph.D.
Research Project: The Adherens Junctions Suppress Pro-Tumorigenic Colon Cell Transformation via Long Non-Coding RNAs
Current Position: Medical Science Liaison of GI Oncology, Natera

John Delgaizo, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Alexander Alekseyenko, Ph.D.
Research Project: Preventing Surgical Errors before They Occur, Steps Toward an Automated Alert System
Current Position: AI Lead Engineer, Innovation Center at Medical University of South Carolina

Stephanie Jones, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Linda Kelemen, Ph.D.
Research Project: Understanding Nicotine Dependence and Smoking Cessation Failure: The Role of Genetic Variation
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Public Health, Baylor University

Danira (Karzic) Medunjanin, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Kelly Hunt, Ph.D.
Research Project: Survival and Healthcare Patterns of Elderly Veterans with Advanced CKD
Current Position: Health Services Researcher, Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center

Corey Morrow, Ph.D., MOT, OTR/L
College of Health Professions
Mentor: Kit Simpson, Ph.D.
Research Project: Translating emerging upper extremity rehab technology from clinical trials to rehabilitation therapy practice
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Health Professions at Medical University of South Carolina

Johnathan Turner, M.D./Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Christopher Davies, Ph.D.
Research Project: Design of Novel Penicillin Binding Protein 2 (PBP2) Inhibitors as Drug Candidates for Penicillin- and Cephalosporin-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Current Position: Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow in Microbiology, Harvard Medical School

Daniel Baer, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Andrew Lawson, Ph.D.
Research Project: Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease: Progression in Brain Function and Etiological Links
Current Position: Senior Scientist, Biostatistics, Merck

John Barrows, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: David Long, Ph.D.
Research Project: Personalized Therapy for BRCA 1-mutant Tumors
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Biology, Reinhardt University

Alexander McQuiston, Ph.D.
College of Graduate Studies
Mentor: Carl Atkinson, Ph.D.
Research Project: Complement Driven Auto-Reactive Antibodies in Lung Transplantation
Current Position: Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca

Amanda Vatinno, Ph.D., OTR/L
College of Health Professions
Mentor: Na Jin Seo, PhD
Research Project: Prognostic Utility of EEG in Post-Stroke Upper Extremity Motor Recovery
Current Position: Manager of Medical Devices, Global Regulatory Writing & Consulting (GLOBAL)