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R Clinton Webb — Dr. R Clinton Webb's lab at the University of South Carolina focuses on understanding how diabetes can lead to erectile dysfunction by looking at the role of specific ion channels in blood vessel constriction. The team studies how reactive oxygen species, particularly superoxide, influence vascular signaling and how a particular protein family (LRRC8) might contribute to this process. By uncovering these mechanisms, the lab aims to identify new treatment strategies for erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes, addressing a significant health challenge.
Dawn K Wilson — Dr. Dawn K Wilson's lab focuses on improving health outcomes for overweight African American adolescents and their families by integrating exercise and resilience-based strategies. Through the Linking Exercise for Advancing Daily Stress (LEADS) Management intervention, the lab aims to teach families to cope with stress, promote physical activity, and enhance overall well-being. By targeting both mental and physical health, the research aims to empower families to make healthier lifestyle choices together.
Charles F. Mactutus — Dr. Charles Mactutus leads a research team at the University of South Carolina focusing on understanding and treating neurocognitive impairments in older adults with HIV. Their current project aims to develop new therapies that can restore brain function by targeting specific cellular pathways involved in neuronal health. The lab combines experimental work with innovative therapeutic approaches to address the pressing issue of cognitive decline associated with aging and HIV.
Jane E Roberts — Dr. Jane E Roberts’ lab at the University of South Carolina explores how autonomic nervous system function relates to sensory sensitivity and other behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and fragile X syndrome. Her research looks at infants at risk for ASD, examining how these biological systems develop and affect communication and anxiety over time. By studying these processes, the lab aims to identify early interventions that can help improve developmental outcomes.
Qun Lu — Dr. Qun Lu's lab at the University of South Carolina focuses on understanding and developing new therapeutic strategies for chronic diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS. By restoring the natural balance of specific signaling pathways in the brain, instead of simply stimulating or inhibiting them, they aim to create innovative treatments that could alter the course of these diseases. Their research could lead to breakthroughs in how we address slow progression disorders overall, providing insights that might be applied to other complex health issues.
David D Mott — Dr. David D Mott's lab focuses on understanding how the brain regulates emotions, particularly through a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. The lab investigates the amygdala, a brain region critical for fear and anxiety, and how it communicates with another area, the prefrontal cortex. By exploring these connections at the cellular level, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better treatments for anxiety and related disorders.
Cameron Mccarthy — Dr. Cameron McCarthy's lab focuses on understanding how diabetes affects the cerebrovascular system, particularly after a stroke. They study the role of a specific protein modification, known as O-GlcNAcylation, which may worsen neurovascular injuries and hinder recovery from stroke in diabetic patients. Their research aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new therapeutic targets for improving outcomes in stroke patients with diabetes.
Melissa Ellermann — Dr. Melissa Ellermann's lab at the University of South Carolina studies how the endocannabinoid system affects gut bacteria, particularly during infections caused by Escherichia coli. The research aims to understand how this signaling system can lower the gut's defenses against harmful bacteria, potentially worsening chronic digestive diseases like Crohn's disease. By using mouse models and advanced genetic techniques, the lab investigates the complex interactions between host signals and microbial behavior.
Ahmed Alshareef — Dr. Ahmed Alshareef's lab focuses on understanding how the human brain responds to traumatic impacts, such as those experienced in sports or vehicle accidents. Using advanced imaging techniques and mathematical models, the team studies how the brain deforms during such events to help improve injury prevention strategies. Their research aims to provide a more accurate prediction of brain injuries by combining data from real-life impacts with experimental simulations.