Faculty and Staff
Leadership of the studio is charged with daily operations and implementing the strategic vision.
Ann Blair KennedyExecutive Director
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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
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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 |
Sebrena BrinkProgram Manager
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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 |
Destiny JordanCARES Center Coordinator
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Destiny Jordan joined the Patient Engagement Studio in January 2026 and currently serves as the CARES Center Coordinator. In this role, she supports research efforts through participant engagement, recruitment, outreach, coordination, and communication across CARES Center initiatives and collaborations. She also helps maintain relationships with community members and partners and supports the day-to-day operations of the CARES Center. Destiny brings experience across public health, data analytics, homelessness services, LGBTQ+ services and communities, and substance use services and communities. She is passionate about creating spaces where participants feel comfortable, supported, and connected to the work being done through patient-engaged research. |
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)