Faculty and Staff
Leadership of the studio is charged with daily operations and implementing the strategic vision.
Ann Blair KennedyExecutive Director
|
Ann Blair serves as the Executive Director of the Patient Engagement Studio. She first joined the PES in 2016 during her postdoctoral fellowship at the USC School of Medicine Greenville, working under the mentorship of the Studio’s founding director, Dr. Peggy Wagner. Following Dr. Wagner’s retirement, Ann Blair stepped into the role of Director, continuing to expand the Studio’s mission of centering patient voices in health research. With a background in public health, health communication, and integrative healthcare, Ann Blair brings a collaborative, community-driven approach to leading the Studio and shaping its strategic direction. |
Nabil NatafgiScientific Director
|
Nabil joined the Patient Engagement Studio in Fall 2019 and now serves as its Scientific Director. A health services researcher by training, he leads the development and evaluation of engagement methods that center lived experience in research. Nabil is passionate about creating inclusive, meaningful opportunities for patients and communities to shape the science that impacts their lives. Email: NNATAFGI@mailbox.sc.edu |
Katie ParrisProgram Manager
|
Katie joined the Patient Engagement Studio as Program Manager in September 2022. In this role, she provides strategic oversight of daily operations and manages the PES team, including staff, graduate assistants, and student interns. Katie plays a central role in building and maintaining strong partnerships between Patient Experts and researchers - ensuring that all collaborators are aligned, understood, and working toward shared goals. |
Sebrena BrinkProgram Coordinator
|
Sebrena joined the Patient Engagement Studio in January 2025. While her initial role has changed, she now serves as the PES Program Coordinator and assists in maintaining relationships in the PES community, provides research support, coordinates communication among different projects in the studio and collaborators, and aids in managing daily operations as needed. Email: smbrink@sc.edu |
Student Involvment
Part of our engagement efforts focus on training the next generation of researchers, as this is a vital part for future sustainability. The PES integrates students from an array of educational levels from undergraduate, graduate to medical students to gain research, management and responsibility experience. Students have fulfilled the following positions:
- Graduate Assistant (paid position through the university for a semester or longer)
- Research Assistant (working on a time-specific research study)
- Student Interns (longer term position, help with a wide variety of projects)