Meet our new SCTR TL1 Trainees!

We are thrilled to introduce our newest cohort of trainees who have been awarded the 2024 – 2025 SCTR TL1 (T32) Predoctoral Clinical & Translational Research Training Program.

Meet the Trainees

Shaoni Dasgupta

What drew you to the TL1 program?

I was excited by the fact that the TL1 program trains its students on how to pursue and excel with a translational science career. I also was interested in the many opportunities provided by TL1 todevelop us into successful physician scientists.

How does the TL1 fit into your prospective career trajectory?

I aspire to become a physician scientist. The TL1 offers multiples opportunities for me to learn how to integrate translational science into my career goals as well as develop as a physician scientist through various courses, seminars, the translational science clinic, and more. This program will help train me towards my goal of becoming a successful physician scientist.

What made you interested in research?

Science was always in the family, and it was always something that really interested me. Over time, I knew that I wanted to help treat a patient population, but I also wanted to be involved in the molecular level of developing more treatments and therapeutics. As a result, I knew I wanted to pursue research as well as medicine. My interest in research has led me to do research since high school.

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

I'm between stopping time and teleportation. I'm leaning towards teleportation - it would be really cool to just go wherever I want with the snap of my fingers.

Devin Hatchell

What is something that the other trainees would be surprised to know about you?

One of my favorite things to do outside of research is woodworking. Using some of my experience in carpentry and slowly learning new techniques, I have built various gifts and furniture pieces for friends and family.

What drew you to the TL1 program?

The TL1 program focuses on training and fostering students pursuing a career in clinical/translational research. This unique opportunity provided by the TL1 allows trainees to learn and develop their research toolkit to understand, facilitate, and translate findings from the bench to patients' bedsides. With my research focused on neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), a common and devastating neurological pathology in preterm infants where there is no approved treatment, I have witnessed the value and demand for such translational research.

How does the TL1 fit into your prospective career trajectory?

I hope to close the gap that unfortunately exists between the current standard of care and our understanding of infants and their illnesses to give these patients the best chance at living meaningful lives. With this in mind, I aim to become a successful independent researcher focused on populations susceptible to aberrant inflammatory conditions, such as preterm infants. I am interested in furthering our understanding of their complex illnesses on amechanistic level and innovating novel therapeutics and diagnostic measures. The TL1 program will help me develop into such a scientist.

Taylor Hulahan

What is something that the other trainees would be surprised to know about you?

Although I am not in a neuroscience lab in my graduate program, I am fascinated by the human brain and how it functions. In my sophomore year of college, I started researching how particular neurotransmitters modulate fine motor skills. I was one of few undergraduates on my campus who was able to administer functional magnetic resonance imaging scans independently on our study subjects.

What made you interested in research?

Growing up, I always really enjoyed my science classes, especially the labs. When I was applying for college, I knew that I wanted to major in biology as it was always my favorite class. As I began taking my introductory biology courses, I started working in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. My primary role was to prepare specimens for their collections that scientists around the world would come to visit and use for their studies. While I did not directly participate in their research, I used to think a lot about the sort of studies they would conduct with the specimens I was preparing. I soon realized that I wanted to be a part of the research and began worked in an animal behavior lab.

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

If I could choose a superpower, it would be to teleport. I have a long travel budget list and teleporting would make it easy to travel to all the places I have been hoping to see.

Caroline Kittrell

What is something that the other trainees would be surprised to know about you?

I enjoy foraging for edible mushrooms and medicinal plants with my boyfriend in Francis Marion Forest and other nearby parks. It is truly amazing to see how many modern pharmaceutical agents are derived from plants!

What drew you to the TL1 program?

Ultimately, as a clinician scientist, I hope to pursue research that has a profound impact on clinical care and patient outcomes. As a part of this program, I knew I would gain the skills necessary to identify areas of need and conduct effective translational research. I believe this program is uniquely poised to enhance my training as a physician scientist.

What made you interested in research?

When I was first considering my career options in college, I was excited about the deep interpersonal relationship’s clinicians are able to form and to have the ability to treat and cure disease. However, I wanted to be able to reach people outside of those I might be able to see in an office visit. With research, I knew if I discovered a treatment option or screening test for a disease, I would be able to possibly help thousands of people. I was, and still am, very hopeful about the possibility that I may be able to touch thousands of lives through my clinical and scientific efforts.

Michael Martino

What drew you to the TL1 program? How does the TL1 fit into your prospective career trajectory?

I have a strong interest in obtaining the necessary scientific training to perform basic neuroscience studies investigating how social and environmental interventions affect the brain in neurological and mental health conditions to inform evidence-based policy.

What made you interested in research?

During my undergraduate studies, I was amazed at how much was known about the mechanisms underlying the development of cardiometabolic disease. This motivated me to continue my education to engage in research and add to our collective knowledge.

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

To be a genetically fast sleeper - this would allow me to survive and thrive off of 5 hours of sleep per night without negative consequences!

Stephanie Mills

What is something that the other trainees would be surprised to know about you?

I am an avid traveler and backpacker and have explored 36 states in the United States and 4 countries abroad.

What drew you to the TL1 program?

I aim to be a physician – scientist developing clinical trials and running a translational research lab therefore, I was drawn to the TL1 program as it provides opportunities for me to develop strong networks in the field of translational research and provide mentoring opportunities for me to further develop my skills and knowledge in translational research methodology

What made you interested in research?

In high school, I worked at a veterinary clinic and puppies were succumbing to parvovirus infection. I became interested in how viruses are able to infect cells and then subsequently how our immune system can recognize foreign pathogens vs self and appropriately respond.

Kendell Peterson

What made you interested in research?

I believe that the subject of biology must be approached with an inquisitive mind that thrives on curiosity and an open mindset, which I possess. From an early age I have been fascinated with biological science, particularly the effects of microorganisms on the human body. Identifying and comprehending the countless processes that take place in my body, such as the complexity of the inflammation process fascinated me. I was fortunate to participate in three undergrad research internships at the Hollings Cancer Center under Dr. Robert Gemmill, a cancer researcher at MUSC Ultimately my work involved identifying and isolating a protein that contributes to tumor metastasis in lung cancer. The results of my assistance with this project may help to uncover new methods to combat the severe symptoms present in the advanced stages of lung cancer. I was fascinated that my contributions could simultaneously help to broaden the scientific community’s understanding of the process of tumor metastasis and possibly contribute to the fight against lung cancer.

What drew you to the TL1 program?

The SCTR TL1 program offers an exciting opportunity for doctoral students in health- and disease-related disciplines to be exposed to translational research, allowing scholars like myself to assess how research transitions into real-word applications by observing clinical mentors. The TL1 training program’s mission to cultivate interest in translational research to doctoral students, thereby expanding the number of translational researchers resonates with me due to my interest in bridging the gap lab discoveries and patient clinical intervention. I was particularly enticed by the program's focus on providing trainees with mentored exposure to clinical and translational research methodology. I believe the hands-on learning will enhance my comprehension of the translational research process. I am a doctoral student that is driven by my curiosity and drive for knowledge, the opportunity to receive mentored guidance towards unexplored areas of translational research greatly intrigued me.

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

If I had to pick any superpower it would be the ability to travel through time. I could witness historical events firsthand, gaining a deeper understanding of our past and meeting important influential and historical figures and it would also allow for the opportunity to correct personal mistakes. Time travel could offer a unique perspective on the future, inspiring innovative ideas and solutions for today's challenges. Experiencing different eras and cultures firsthand could enrich my understanding of human experiences as well. Engaging with diverse traditions, customs, and ways of life would be very rewarding. Also, as an avid storyteller and reader, the chance to interact with important figures from different times could allow me to create fascinating tales that blend various perspectives and themes.

Chase Walton

How does the TL1 fit into your prospective career trajectory?

Before applying to the M.D.-Ph.D. at MUSC, I had been working research labs for about 6 years. I was frustrated, dismayed, and shocked at the metaphorical chiasm between basic science and clinical work. The TL1 is the ideal opportunity for individuals looking to bridge that gap.

What made you interested in research?

The first time I grew 3t3-L1 cells. I ran a respiration experiment and couldn’t believe that I could see into the molecular machinery of a cell in real time.

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

Teleporting. Endless possibilities.