Office of the Vice President for Research

About

South Carolina Research Foundation

The South Carolina Research Foundation is an element in the University's strategy for research growth, supporting faculty efforts, and helping the University faculty with their scholarship goals.

Formed in 1997, the South Carolina Research Foundation (SCRF) is a major initiative to increase the support for faculty doing research at USC. The SCRF provides greater flexibility and competitiveness in implementing research grants and contracts, building infrastructure, and developing intellectual property for the faculty. Management responsibilities of the SCRF include USC's intellectual technology licensing program and the USC Columbia Technology Incubator.

The SCRF is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from public- and private-sector leadership to bring the broad range of backgrounds, expertise and perspectives necessary to make strategic decisions. The board includes 10 external and six internal members. The six internal members are the USC President, the Provost, the Vice President for the Division of Research and Graduate Education, the Foundations Director, a member of the Faculty Advisory Council (appointed by the president) and a member of the Council of Academic Deans (appointed by the president).

S.C. Research Foundation Board of Directors

Dr. Harris Pastides, President, University of South Carolina

B.S. in Biological Sciences, University at Albany • Master of Public Health and Ph.D. in Epidemiology, Yale University • Former Vice President for Research and Health Sciences and Dean of Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina • Senior Fulbright Research Fellow, University of Athens, Greece • World Health Organization consultant and advisor • National Cancer Institute and the American College of Epidemiology awards and honors recipient

Mr. David Black, Former President, Liberty Life Insurance Company

B.S. in Economics (summa cum laude), Clemson University • Executive Program at the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia • J.D., University of South Carolina School of Law • Vice President, Hollings Cancer Center Advisory Board, Medical University of South Carolina • Member, Trevillian Cabinet, College of Business and Behavioral Sciences, Clemson University

Mr. Jason Caskey, President and Chief Executive Officer of University Foundations

Bachelor degree in Accounting, University of South Carolina • Former financial services practice leader for Elliott Davis accounting firm •Board member, United Way of the Midlands • Former board member of the Central Carolina Community Foundation and the USC Business Partnership Foundation • Darla Moore School of Business Distinguished Young Alumnus Award

Mr. Kenneth Deans, President and Chief Executive Officer, Health Sciences South Carolina

B.S. in Liberal Arts , Excelsior College • M.B.A., William and Mary • former Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare • Former board member of The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association and the City of Chesapeake Public Schools Science and Medicine Academy Advisory Board • Former Board Chair, Hampton Roads Tour de Cure

Mr. Fred Delk, Executive Director, Executive Director, Columbia Development Corporation

Member, Board of Directors, the Vista Guild • Partnership and Development Facilitator for the City of Columbia, worked on the following key projects: Governor’s Hill, Vista Commons, Publix Grocery Store (Vista complex), 701 Whaley Street renovation

Mr. Kester S. Freeman, Executive Director, South Carolina Institute of Medicine & Public Health

B.S. in Economics, College of William and Mary • Master of Health Administration, Duke University • Founding CEO of Palmetto Health • Founding chairman of the Carolina HealthChoice Network board of directors • Distinguished Service Award, South Carolina Hospital Association

Ms. Joan T.A. Gabel, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, University of South Carolina

B.A. in Philosophy, Haverford College • J.D., University of Georgia School of Law • Former Senior Dean of the Robert J. Trulaske College of Business, University of Missouri

Dr. Prakash Nagarkatti, Vice President for Research, University of South Carolina

B.S. in Botany and Chemistry and M.S. in Microbiology, Karnatak University, India • Ph.D. in Immunology, Jiwaji University/Defense Research and Development Establishment, India • Associate Dean and Carolina Distinguished Professor, University of South Carolina School of Medicine • Director, NIH Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine • Director, NIH COBRE Center for Dietary Supplements and Inflammation • Director, NSF Materials Assembly and Design Excellence in South Carolina initiative • American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow

Mr. Bob Quinn, Executive Director, South Carolina Research Authority

B.A. Rutgers University • M.A. in Science and Technology Management, George Washington University • Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Management Program • Board member Central SC Alliance, Charleston Regional Development Alliance, SC Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and SC Economics

Dr. Brenda Thames, Vice President for Academic Development, Greenville Health System

B.S. in Home Economics, Mississippi State University • M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling and Ed.D. in Vocational and Technical Education, Clemson University • Former Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Clemson University

Mr. Thad Westbrook, Partner, Nelson Mullins

B.A. in Political Science, USC Honors College • J.D., USC School of Law • USC Board of Trustees • 2012 Liberty Fellow • Lexington Medical Center Foundation Board Chair • Lexington Medical Center Foundation Board Chair