COVID-19 Research Expertise
The Office of the Vice President for Research is also compiling a list of UofSC faculty researchers with expertise related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Research Initiative Recipients
PI and Collaborators | Project Title | Abstract |
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Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Exercise Science |
The Acute and Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Children’s Obesogenic Behavior Patterns: A Natural Experiment on the Role of Structured Days | Children exhibit healthier obesogenic behaviors on school days compared to non-school days. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in extended school closures across the country. Lapses in health behaviors during this period may lead to entrenched unhealthy behavior patterns which persist even after structure is resumed. This study will leverage an existing NIH-funded cohort of elementary aged children to examine the immediate and long-term impact of COVID-19 on children’s’ physical activity, sleep, diet and screen time patterns. This study will fill significant gaps in our knowledge related to the impact of external structure on the development of children’s health behavior patterns. |
USC School of Medicine Columbia, Department of Internal Medicine |
Myocardial Injury: miR Profiling to Distinguish Ischemic from Non-Ischemic ST Elevation |
Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection frequently incur myocardial injury, but current diagnostic procedures based on ECG findings (ST elevation; [STE]) lack precision, resulting in patients undergoing unnecessary invasive procedures and other forms of treatment. This project will develop a biomarker capable of distinguishing COVID-19 myocarditis from other causes of STE, most notably myocardial infarction. We have applied microRNA (miR) profiling to identify heart failure patients suitable for cardiac device therapy and to assess responsiveness to exercise training. This project will develop a similar strategy to personalize diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with COVID-19 myocarditis and other causes of STE. |
College of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences |
South Carolina COVID-19 Treatment Outcomes Registry |
In the current coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) outbreak, South Carolina has reported approximately 2,000 positive cases and 40 deaths. South Carolinians may be at particularly high risk due to significant risk factors such as obesity, underlying cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Current pharmacologic treatments for COVID-19 are considered experimental and there is significant need for safety and effectiveness data. Investigators propose the creation of a COVID-19 treatment registry for the state of South Carolina. The registry will provide critical data to assess short- and long-term safety and effectiveness outcomes among hospitalized patients. Clinicians, regulatory agencies, and scholars will benefit from these invaluable data. |
Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences |
COVID-19 Severe Progression Prediction with AI Approaches from Multi-dimensional Data | Precisely identifying COVID-19 patients with high risk of malignant progression is critical to optimize the initial disease triage and resource allocation. This project aims to integrate multi-dimensional information from publicly available large-scale healthy people genomics data and COVID-19 patient data (including blood molecular features, plasma cytokine levels, clinical parameters and chest CT imaging) and use AI approaches to achieve accurate prediction of COVID-19 severe progression in later days. We expect that the outcomes from this project will provide an effective screening tool for high-risk patients and generate great insights on risk factors into COVID-19 etiology, treatment, prevention, and prognosis. |
Cavanagh, Kimberly |
Quarantining Paradise: A Comparative Study of Two Tourism Economies in the Time of COVID-19 | It is estimated that tens of billions of dollars and 50 million jobs in the travel industry will be lost globally as the world scrambles to contain the COVID-19 virus. This comparative case study examines the socio-economic realities of two sun-sand-and-sea tourism communities, Aqaba, Jordan and Hilton Head Island, USA. Using digital ethnographic methodologies paired with archival and media-based research, this study explores the fragility of tourism-dependent economies, highlighting challenges encountered by two communities, as they attempt to survive this moment. Further, it contributes to the larger discussion of sustainability of tourism as the main economic driver within marginalized communities. |
Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences | COVID-19 Risk Potentiation in Underlying Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses (GWVI), the Role of Gut-Lung Microbiome Dysbiosis and NLRP3 Inflammasomes | Gulf War Illness Veterans suffer from underlying systemic inflammation and increased serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL1β, MCP-1, IL6, increased DAMPs such as HMGB1 and endotoxemia. As we grapple with increased COVID-19 cases of lung disease in elderly, it is extremely urgent and important to understand the susceptibility and pathophysiology of COVID19 and higher fatality in our GWI veterans. The present proposal addresses the possible increased susceptibility in GWI veterans that might be a possibility due to the persistent altered lung microbiome and their interactions between host bacteria and viruses causing a net increased release of proinflammatory mediators. |
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry |
Role of human LY6E in Protection Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection – Molecular Basis | Members of LY6 family of proteins are evolutionary conserved and their role is beginning to be elucidated. Recently LY6E and LY6K were identified as targets in the development of cancer therapeutics. Other studies showed that LY6E impairs the fusion of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells and controls this viral infection. It was shown that LY6E is required for uptake of large cargoes and forms tubules upon viral infection. We hypothesize that disruption of the tubule formation will enhance protection against viral infections; therefore we will target LY6E and the process of tubule formation with small molecular compounds and/or an antibody. |
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Political Science | To Believe or To Not Believe: Reception of Expert Cues During COVID-19 |
Extant literature finds that Americans increasingly distrust experts. We build on this in the context of a global crisis, hypothesizing that expert recommendations aiming to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are ineffective because people do not trust experts. We propose to test this in an online survey experiment that varies whether a source is expert or non-expert as well as whether the information given is fact or experience and positive or negative. Examining the reception of information from experts in this context can inform communication strategies that could save lives in large-scale crises. |
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Geography |
Disparities in Response, Impact, and Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States | This project examines the inequality in response, impact, and livelihood recovery for the millions of Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Media reports suggest the pandemic is increasing known health disparities by disproportionately affecting communities of color and lower-income communities. The project analyzes spatial and temporal data on response and impacts (testing, confirmed cases, protective action guidance, mortality) to ascertain whether the observed county geographic patterns correspond to underlying social vulnerability and disaster resilience. The research further examines geographic disparities in livelihood recovery, especially so-called “cold spots”, where unemployment does not return to its pre-pandemic levels. |
Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion, Education and Behavior |
The Influence of Social Networks, Acculturative Stress, and Personalismo on COVID-19 Coping Responses among Latino Adults | Latinos, who constitute the largest minority group in the U.S, report greater disruption and higher worry associated with COVID-19 than white or Black Americans. Effectively coping with COVID-19 requires engaging in protective behaviors, accessing resources, preparing for potential disruptions, and managing worry. Using data from a cross-sectional survey, this study will examine the influence of social network characteristics, acculturative stress, personalismo, and social support on COVID-19 coping among Latino adults. Findings from this study will deepen understanding of how social networks influence Latino health and inform efforts to connect Latinos with important information and resources during future crises. |
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Sociology
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Celebrity Culture During the Pandemic: The Rise (and Fall?) of CoronaCelebs | This proposal develops a sociological study of celebrity culture during the corona pandemic. The project will examine celebrity actions in relation to the pandemic and how the public responds to these activities. It will identify the actors, media, objectives, functions, and consequences of these celebrity engagements. Data collection will rely on social media and online available news stories. Funding is sought for support to hire an undergraduate and a graduate student for the Summer and Fall of this year. Celebrity culture is an important factor that shapes many people’s perceptions of the ongoing crisis and is deserving of careful scrutiny. |
College of Education, Department of Educational Studies |
Essential Services: Child Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Public schools in South Carolina are closed, however, child-care providers serving preschoolers are still operating. These children may be living in households experiencing high levels of stress and are more susceptible to developing mental health problems. Using an online screening system, this study measures mental health risk of children attending preschool during the COVID-19 pandemic to determine if rates show elevated risk. In addition, rates compared with different groups of preschoolers across time to examine how mental health risk may differ due to the pandemic. The project is the first to make inroads with private preschool providers in the state. |
University Libraries, South Caroliniana Library |
Documenting COVID-19 at the University of South Carolina |
Following archival best practices for appraisal and acquisition, this project will collect, preserve, and then make available for future research primary source materials documenting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the University of South Carolina, and the University’s subsequent response and recovery. By collecting materials and encouraging use by researchers from a wide variety of disciplines, this project will contribute to the understanding of how institutions of higher education—and their associated communities of students, faculty, and staff—manage the logistical, technological, economic, and psychological challenges posed by 21st century pandemics. |
USC School of Medicine Greenville |
Innate Immune Gene Contributions to SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Complications |
Disease severity among those infected with SARS-CoV-2 varies greatly, from no symptoms to complications requiring significant medical intervention. Among concerns for patients with severe COVID-19 disease are the possible implications of unregulated inflammation and secondary bacterial infections. The early antiviral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is dominated by a unique subset of genes, many, like IFI27 and IFI35, with undefined effector functions. Using gene editing in human lung cells, we aim to investigate the contributions of IFI27 and IFI35 in the initiation of inflammatory responses and susceptibility to secondary bacterial infection for use in the study and treatment of COVID-19 patients. |
College of Engineering and Computing, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering |
SARS-CoV-2 Transmission: Influence of Surfaces and Flow at Boundaries on Deposition, Adhesion and Persistence | The proposal will establish the experimental protocol supported by computational simulations for determining the indoor conditions that influence and control the deposition, adhesion and persistence of a model virus in built spaces. Adhesion mechanism will be elucidated using a quartz crystal microbalance. Viruses will be released in an indoor simulation chamber mimicking two source types – sneeze and vent, and tracked spatially and temporally. Surfaces properties will be quantified. Particle image velocimetry will capture flow characteristics and fluorescent signals for viral particle locations. Simulations will extract details of shear flow rates, velocity profiles and viral particle dispersion pattern and deposition rates. |
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Physics and Astronomy |
Application of Novel Pattern Identification Methodologies to COVID-19 Medical Patient Data |
Problem: The identification of patterns, both in numerical data tables, and in networks of connections among people and things, is a central scientific problem. Significance: We have discovered a powerful and transformative cluster and entropy spectral means for identifying patterns in both tabular and network data. Methods: We seek to code our developed analytics on a server for multiple investigators including our planned analysis of our extensive medical patient data for COVID-19 pattern analytics. Impact: Our powerful data analytic programs can be applied to all numerical scientific data identifying cluster and entropy patterns using our USC patented code. |
College of Information and Communications, Department of Journalism and Mass Communications
|
Asian Americans’ Experience with COVID-19 Related Discrimination and Communicative Coping Strategies |
Due to the origin of COVID-19, racist/xenophobia attacks and discrimination against Chinese and Asian Americans have radically increased. We propose to investigate Asian Americans’ COVID-19 related discrimination experience, communicative coping strategies, and engagement in activism in the victim and the bystander perspective. Online survey will be conducted with Asian American victims and bystanders across the U.S. Structural equation modeling (SEM), other statistical analyses, and qualitative textual analyses will be mixed. The findings will guide efforts to combat discrimination against racial/ethnic groups, share effective communication strategies for victims during coping, and empower victims and bystanders. |
Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics | Pandemic Response to Coronavirus in West Africa |
The overarching goal of this project is to improve the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in West Africa. To this end, we will assess current strategies by analyzing the content of media coverage. At the same time, we will quantify and project trends in the COVID-19 pandemic using an infectious disease framework and mathematical modeling methods. The project will improve our understanding of the epidemiology and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings will inform COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response in West Africa and other regions. |
College of Information and Communications, Department of Library and Information Sciences |
Explore Diseases and Chemicals in COVID-19 Scholarly Articles with Data Science Techniques |
On March 16, 2020, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a call to action to develop new text and data mining techniques that can help answer scientific questions in the COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19) of scholarly literature about COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and the Coronavirus group. The traditional methods are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Therefore, computational methods can help the experts to find patterns in this dataset with more than 47,000 research papers. This project will develop a platform to analyze CORD-19 to detect and investigate diseases and chemicals and explore their trend from 1970 to 2020. |
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
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High-throughput Screening of An In-house Natural Products Library for Discovery of Potential SARS-COV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors |
Taking advantage of our unique in-house natural products library, we propose a facile and high-throughput screening for discovery of potential SARS-COV-2 main protease (3CLpro) inhibitors in response to the current life-threatening COVID-19 pandemic. This continuously growing library currently physically contains 155 pure microbial natural products, ~3,500 extracts and fractions, and over 500 isolated diverse bacterial and fungal strains. A combination of computation-based virtual screening has been performed, leading to promising hits to be investigated by a target-based physical screening using a high-throughput fluorescence resonance energy transfer technique. This proposal holds promise to discover lead compounds to combat COVID-19. |
Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion, Education and Behavior |
The Impact of COVID-19 on HIV Treatment and Care: A Multilevel Data Approach Investigation |
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically interrupted routine healthcare delivery, including HIV treatment and care. The proposed study aims to: 1) examine the scope of HIV treatment service interruptions; (2) examine the impact of such interruptions on HIV care access and HIV treatment outcomes; and 3) identify areas of improvement and strategies of preparedness at both provider and system levels in response to future public health crises. We will accomplish these aims by collecting and analyzing multilevel data including an on-line survey among healthcare providers, in-depth interviews with healthcare system leadership, and state-level aggregated data on HIV incidence and viral load. |
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Geography |
A Preliminary Study of using Social Media to Monitor the Spatial Propagation of COVID-19 and Quantify the Effectiveness of the Control Measures | Human movement is an important driver of the geographic spread of infectious diseases, which is especially true for COVID-19 that can be transmitted during the incubation period. Understanding human movement could help us gain better insights into the current infectious risk and future risk at the population level. This project aims to conduct a preliminary study of developing a novel big data-based approach to 1) monitor spatial propagation of the virus on different geographic scales, 2) gauge the compliance of social distancing, and 3) quantify the effectiveness of control measures in containing the spread of the virus. More comprehensive studies needed from this preliminary effort will have broad impacts in diverse fields where human movement plays a role, such as infectious disease transmission in public health (focus of this project), transportation, and tourism. |
College of Education, Department of Educational Studies
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Addressing K-12 Students’ Academic, Mental Health, and Career Development Needs during COVID-19 | The immediate and long-term impact of closing schools on students due to COVID-19 needs to be understood. Schools provide a place for children and their families to receive services; however, even though students can’t go to school they still have academic, mental health, and career development needs. In our study, we will use consensual qualitative research to explore how school counselors addressed these needs of K-12 students during the outbreak of COVID-19. The results of our study will have immediate and future implications for school counselors and more importantly the students they serve. |
College of Engineering and Computing, Department of Chemical Engineering |
Nanopore Portable Assay for Monitoring Circulating Antibodies in COVID-19 Patients |
SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has recently emerged to cause a pandemic. While nucleic acid diagnostic tests were rapidly developed, serologic assays are still lacking but urgently needed. Validated serologic assays are important for detecting asymptomatic cases, contact tracing, identifying serum donors, and epidemiological studies. We recently developed a nanopore biosensor with femtomolar detection limit and high specificity for HIV serologic assay. Based on this method, we propose to develop a portable, semiautomatic, multiplex, quantitative assay device to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patients’ blood. With existing collaboration and approved IRB protocols, we will collect patient samples from Prisma Health to validate our assay. |
Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics |
Impacts of Social Distancing Practice on Vulnerable Pregnant and Postpartum Women During the Outbreak of COVID-19: Cross-Sectional Electronic Surveys | Social distancing measures have emerged as key strategies for flattening the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating impacts on an already-stressed health care system. This study will serve as an essential first step toward understanding the impacts of the pandemic on mental/physical health, health behaviors, and access to care on at-risk pregnant and postpartum women. We propose to conduct two online surveys among pregnant (n=500) and postpartum (n=500) women living in the United States. Our findings will provide essential data for the preparedness of future public health system as emerging infectious diseases are predicted to occur with increasing frequency. |