Dedicated educators leading the way in teaching excellence across the University of South Carolina.
Elizabeth Barnes, Ph.D., CCC-SLP – Communication Sciences and Disorders
Elizabeth Barnes is a Clinical Associate Professor and Graduate Director of the MS program in Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMD). She teaches foundational scientific and theoretical coursework in speech-language pathology, as well as advanced courses in typical speech and language development and the rehabilitation of speech and language disorders across the lifespan.
Devin Bowes, Ph.D. – Department of Environmental Health Sciences
Devin Bowes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. She is an interdisciplinary scientist with core research interests anchored by human-environment interactions, particularly as it relates to environmentally influenced health outcomes. Her work pioneers the field of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), where she leverages community wastewater to assess population-level health and exposures. She primarily teaches an undergraduate course, Environmental Pollution and Health, where students are introduced to a wide variety of environmental health topics and how it relates to public health. Dr. Bowes applies a student-forward approach to teaching and mentorship and fosters a supportive environment that encourages interdisciplinary learning and thinking both in and out of the classroom to tackle complex, real-world problems.
Abby Hogan, Ph.D. – Communication Sciences and Disorders
Abby Hogan's research focuses on characterizing the developmental emergence, trajectories, and predictors of anxiety in young autistic children and children with FMR1-associated conditions such as fragile X syndrome and the FMR1 premutation. Dr. Hogan's research utilizes multiple biobehavioral methods (e.g., observational assessment, diagnostic interviewing, eye tracking, heart activity) within a developmental framework to investigate how, when, and why anxiety develops in autism and FMR1-related conditions and to clarify how anxiety impacts broader functioning. Dr. Hogan is also interested in understanding the relationship between anxiety symptoms and social communication difficulties in young children across early development. The ultimate goal of Dr. Hogan's work is to inform targeted treatments that will reduce the negative impacts of anxiety and improve quality of life in children and their families.
Robert Moran, Ph.D. – Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Robert R. Moran, Ph.D., is a Clinical Associate Professor and Graduate Director of Biostatistics in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics in USC’s Arnold School of Public Health. He teaches biostatistics, data management, and statistical programming, emphasizing practical, hands-on learning that prepares students to analyze and manage public-health data. Drawing on extensive experience as a biostatistician and data manager on multidisciplinary health research, Moran connects statistical concepts to real-world questions and supports students’ development of durable analytic skills and confidence.
Dèsirée Vidaña-Perez, Ph.D., MSc. – Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior
Dèsirée Vidaña-Pérez, is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior with over 10 years of experience in public health.She earned her PhD in Epidemiology and MS in Sexual and Reproductive Health in Mexico.Her research focuses on susceptibility to and use of tobacco and nicotine products (i.e., electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches) among adolescents in Mexico and the United States, as well as ecological momentary assessment approaches to support smoking cessation behaviors among adults.
College of Education
Suzy Hardie, Ph.D. – Leadership, Learning Design, and Inquiry
Suzy Hardie is a Clinical Professor and Program Coordinator in the College of Education’s Department of Leadership, Learning Design, and Inquiry. She teaches in master’s and Ed.S. programs preparing K–12 principals and superintendents. Her work focuses on building impactful school–university partnerships that connect research, theory, and practice. She founded the USC Principal and Superintendent Advisory Boards to ensure practitioner expertise informs leadership preparation programs. Dr. Hardie also advises Ed.D. and Ph.D. students whose research focuses on K–12 education and educational leadership.
Brooke A. Whitworth, Ph.D. – Teacher Education
Brooke A. Whitworth is a Professor of Science Education. She currently serves as the STEM Ed.D. Program Coordinator for USC. Whitworth previously served as an Associate Professor at Clemson University, an Assistant Professor at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and at Northern Arizona University (NAU). Prior to that, she worked as a chemistry and physics teacher at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) and as a chemistry, physics, and math teacher at Punahou School in Honolulu, HI.
College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management
Taylor Ramp, M.S.A. – Sport and Entertainment Management
Taylor Ramp is an instructor in the David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management within the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and a Faculty Advisor for the Dawn Staley Leadership Academy. Drawing on experience across professional sports, collegiate athletics, corporate environments, and education, she teaches sport and entertainment marketing and career development courses while coordinating the department's internship program. She is passionate about helping students discover career paths, build industry connections, and develop the confidence needed for success in the sport and entertainment industry. Through innovative teaching strategies, she is dedicated to bridging the gap between the classroom and the professional world.
Sandy Strick, Ph.D. – Hospitality and Tourism Management
Sandy Strick, a graduate of Purdue University, has called the University of South Carolina’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management home for over 35 years. A passionate educator, she teaches Teaching Pedagogy, Introduction to Wine and Spirits, Advanced Wine, and Wine, Beverage, and Culture. She also co-leads study abroad experiences in luxury management with wine-focused components. Sandy founded and directs the Wine and Beverage Institute at Carolina and holds credentials from the Society of Wine Educators, Court of Master Sommeliers, and WSET.
College of Nursing
Marissa Bartmess, Ph.D., RN – Professional Nursing Practice
Marissa Bartmess has contributed to the nursing profession for nearly a decade as a medical-surgical nurse, research assistant, clinical instructor, and, most recently, Assistant Professor at the College of Nursing. She holds a PhD in Nursing and graduate certificates in Health Policy and Nursing Education. Her scholarship examines nurse professional development, nursing work environments, and health policy. Dr. Bartmess is committed to strengthening the profession through educational innovation, partnerships, policy, and workforce initiatives.
Danielle Simmons, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC – Professional Nursing Practice
College of Social Work
Sommer Blair, Ph.D., LISW-CP
Sommer C. Blair is an Assistant Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina. Her teaching and research focus on identity development, racial socialization, community-engaged research, and innovative approaches to social work education. As an educator, she is particularly interested in creating engaging learning experiences that connect research, practice, and community perspectives.
Parthenia Luke, Ph.D.
Parthenia L. Luke is an Assistant Professor in the USC College of Social Work. Her research examines displacement pressure, chronic stress, and how social and environmental conditions shape individual and community well-being. Her teaching emphasizes engaged learning that helps students connect course concepts to contemporary social issues and social work practice. Parthenia is especially interested in approaches to teaching that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and active student participation.
Darla Moore School of Business
Sarah Carroll, Ph.D. – Economics
Sarah Carroll, Ph.D. is a Clinical Associate Professor of Economics at the Darla Moore School of Business. She is a faculty lead for the Student Experience project, a Community of Practice dedicated to improving the student learning experience in the classroom. As an economist, she supports both the South Carolina Economic Policy Center and the Center for Sustainable Growth. Recent projects include the Economic impact analysis of access to reproductive health, Childcare subsidies and wage supplements and work on the ratepayer implications of increasing Data Center presence and other growth-related energy demand in SC.
Floyd School of Medicine
Ioulia Chatzistamou, M.D., Ph.D. – Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
Ioulia Chatzistamou is a Clinical Professor of Pathology at the USC Floyd School of Medicine, where she teaches pathology to medical and graduate students and directs the Master's program in Health Professional Sciences. A pathologist trained in Athens and at Massachusetts General Hospital, she is a Harvard Macy Institute Scholar and oversees pathology content across the medical curriculum. Her educational research explores how generative AI can support critical thinking and self-directed learning in medical education.
McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
Peter Duffy, Ed.D. – Theatre and Dance
Peter B. Duffy is a Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of South Carolina, where he heads the MAT Program in Theatre Education. He came to higher education after a decade of teaching middle and high school English, German, and Drama, and he previously directed education and community outreach at the Irondale Ensemble Project. His research integrates educational neuroscience research with drama and education research to show how drama helps students learn, with a focus on literacy and teacher education. His books include Devising Theatre in Times of Crisis: Practices for a Post-Pandemic World and Drama Research Methods, and he wrote the play ReformED. He heads USC’s Summer Drama Conservatory and founded the Rooster Tales Theatre Camp for Students on the Autism Spectrum in collaboration with the Carolina Autism and Neurodevelopment Center at USC.
Mindy Fenske, Ph.D. – English
Laura Lanni, Ph.D. – Chemistry and Biochemistry
Laura Lanni is a Senior Instructor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry who is ready for her title transfer. She completed her doctorate at USC in 2010. Her undergraduate degree is in chemical engineering. She has taught general and organic chemistry at Newberry College, USC-Aiken, and Clemson, and led undergraduate research on boronate ester-linked polymers of intrinsic microporosity at Newberry College. In her complex and winding career, she spent a decade teaching high school advanced placement chemistry, math and physics, and another as a development chemist in automotive coatings at BASF. In her free time, she writes novels and children’s books, runs half-marathons, bakes incredible pies, keeps her sourdough starter alive, crochets recycled treasures from old sweaters, reupholsters old furniture, helps her husband with car repair, plays with her grandchildren, studies Spanish and French on Duolingo, and sings with the Heart of Columbia chorus.
Jason Richburg, M.F.A. – School of Visual Art and Design
Jason Richburg has provided professional development training to clients across the globe, including New Balance, Adobe, and Church & Dwight. He is published with Harper Collins and his work has been featured in exhibitions at Galerie Kitsuné in Brooklyn, and Nelly Duff in London.
David Roberts, N.D. – Biological Sciences
David Roberts has been a clinician for the last 18 years. As a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Dr. Roberts focuses on Functional Medicine and Preventive Wellness as his clinical areas of practice. His teaching focus is on effective applied student learning and clinical applications for Nursing, Pharmacy and Pre-Med/Clinical majors in the following courses: BIOL 243 (Anatomy & Physiology I), BIOL 243L (Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory), BIOL 244 (Anatomy & Physiology II), BIOL 244L (Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory) and BIOL 250 (Microbiology for medical professionals).
Todd Shaw, Ph.D. – Political Science
Todd Shaw has been on faculty since 2003 and has appointments both in USC's Department of Political Science and the African American Studies Program. He was appointed the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Associate Professor of Political Science and African American Studies by Dean Mary Ann Fitzpatrick in August of 2012. He served as the Interim Chair and then Chair of the Department of Political Science from 2017 to 2019. He researches and teaches broadly in the areas of African American politics, urban politics and public policy, as well as citizen activism and social movements.
David Weaver, Ph.D. – Statistics
David Weaver joined the University of South Carolina as a Statistics Instructor in the fall of 2022. Prior to USC, David served as an executive in the federal government for several years at the Social Security Administration and the Congressional Budget Office. He has published articles in professional journals on federal programs, income, and poverty. Weaver is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and received a bachelor's degree in economics from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. He also holds a Ph.D. in economics from Duke University and a Masters in Statistical Science from George Mason University.
Kelsey Westbury, Ph.D. – Criminology and Criminal Justice
Kelsey Westbury’s research examines crime, gender, and media, with particular attention to how crime and justice issues are represented and understood by the public. Her interests also include capital punishment and the legal, ethical, and social questions surrounding the death penalty. Westbury takes a student-centered approach to teaching and strives to create an engaging classroom environment in which students can critically examine complex criminal justice issues. Her commitment to student learning and career preparation has been recognized through multiple Thank a Teacher and Career Influencer awards through the Center for Teaching Excellence. She also received her department’s Service Award during the 2025–2026 academic year. Westbury enjoys teaching courses in criminology, criminal justice ethics, and related areas.
Molinaroli College of Engineering & Computing
Josh Gray, Ph.D. – Mechanical Engineering
Josh Gray is an Instructor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Visiting Scholar in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. He has worked in university and national laboratory R&D and technology development, start-up companies and entrepreneurialism, and industrial partnership and collaboration. He has worked in areas from engineering design and education, sustainable energy applications, nuclear materials processing, corrosion and heat transfer applications. He is the Ada B. Thomas Outstanding Faculty Advisor at the University of South Carolina and serves as the Director of Administration for the Jake Koenigsdorf Founxdation, a nonprofit in the area of addiction support services.
School of Medicine – Greenville
Joanna Appel, Ph.D. – Pharmacology, Physiology and Neurology
Joanna Appel is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the USC School of Medicine Greenville. She is a passionate medical educator dedicated to creating engaging, learner–centered environments through innovative pedagogy. As a two–time recipient of the USC Center for Teaching Excellence Innovative Pedagogy Grant, her work involves planning and implementing active learning strategies to enhance student success in neuroanatomy and neuroscience. Her scholarly focus is on motivating students to become effective, self–regulated learners.