October 2025 Newsletter available now!
Highlights include faculty grant awards (a P50 and a CAREER!), instructions on affiliating with CAN on USCeRA, and several upcoming events.
Read about CAN Research Members in the community, in the news, and their scientific breakthroughs.
September 2025 Newsletter released!
Read a recap of the Annual Fall Retreat, meet our new Clinical Director, Lindsay McCary, and see our newest newsletter feature: the Science Communication Corner!
Mentoring program empowers families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The University of South Carolina’s Autism Parent Navigator Program pairs newly diagnosed families with experienced parent mentors, improving co-parenting, mental health, and access to vital resources.
2025 Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award winner: Brain scientist Kristy Welshhans helps student researchers tackle big questions in early development
Dr. Kristy Welshhans and her student researchers explore how small changes in brain development can significantly influence lifelong learning and behavior.
USC psychologist uses mobile EEG to break down barriers to research
Dr. Caitlin Hudac’s research prioritizes child wellbeing, accommodates families, and produces valuable neuroscientific insights.
April newsletter released!
Featuring a guide to non-federal funding sources, a who's who in the Community Advisory Board (CAB), and upcoming events like AutismConnect.
USC neuroscience experts working to understand, improve brain health
The University of South Carolina is focused on the brain. From autism and aphasia to Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, university researchers are working across several academic disciplines to better understand how the brain works and to develop solutions that will improve people’s health.
March newsletter released!
Learn about upcoming Disability Awareness Month events, key takeaways from the Elevator Pitch workshop, and more.
February Newsletter
Welcome back! Explore winners of the inaugural CANdies awards, pilot grant recipients, and new recruiting studies.
May Newsletter Released!
Learn about recent events sponsored by the CAN Research Center, Discover USC winners, an upcoming summer camp for autistic kids, the CANDi Lab, and more!
CAN Research Center at Discover USC 2024
Over 50 undergraduate students in CAN-affiliated labs presented their research at Discover USC 2024. Congratulations to 23 award-winners!
A new understanding of how the fragile X premutation affects women
Women have often been overlooked in the research, and the time has come to see what aging looks like in female carriers. Dr. Jessica Klusek, Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, discusses her research and advocacy about women with the fragile X premutation.
One-on-one: USC professor explains recent autism study
Dr. Robert Hock, Associate Professor of Social Work, discusses his research study, Autism Parent Navigators, a program designed to support parents of children recently diagnosed with autism.
April Newsletter Released!
Learn about our upcoming community events, the annual CAN Research Roundup on April 24, highlights from the SCAND Research Symposium, updates from the executive committee, and more!
Shortening the gap
Dr. Sarah Edmunds, Assistant Professor of Psychology, is using her research to improve access to emerging therapies for autism.
Rare Disease Day: Dr. DNA Leaps Across CAN Labs!
Rare Disease Day is also Leap Day! CAN Researchers are using science to help find treatment solutions for those affected by rare diseases. To celebrate, Dr. DNA leaps across CAN labs.
Autism research hits the road
Dr. Caitlin Hudac, Associate Professor of Psychology, traveled across the country in 2021 to collect brain activity data from people with rare mutations in two autism-linked genes. Learn more about her experience!
February Newsletter Released
Learn about upcoming research and community events, meet our Community Advisory Board, see new grants, and more!
AI and data science: The new frontier of autism research
Analyzing large datasets of heart rhythms and brain wave activity with AI and machine learning, a team of University of South Carolina professors is making progress toward better understanding of autism spectrum disorder and identification of ASD diagnostic biomarkers.
December Newsletter Released
See the December Newsletter for updates about our Spring 2024 events, postdoctoral scholar Dr. Julia Yurkovic-Harding, grant opportunities, and more!
Our Breakthrough Stars
For the past three years, our faculty members have received Breakthrough Star Awards, which celebrates early-career research achievements.
November 2023 Newsletter Released
Check out the CAN November Newsletter, featuring upcoming events, community opportunities, researcher spotlights, and more!
October Newsletter Released
Stay up to date with the CAN Research Center! Check out our upcoming events, including speakers Dr. Susan White and Dr. Bridgette Kelleher, community events/opportunities, and more!
September Newsletter Released
Happy fall semester! Check out the CAN September newsletter to learn about upcoming events, retreat highlights, and member highlights.
Spreading awareness of Fragile X syndrome
In celebration of Fragile X Awareness Day, CAN faculty members Dr. Jane Roberts and Dr. Jessica Klusek advocated at the South Carolina State House.