Three University of South Carolina’s School of Medicine faculty members have been named 2019-2020 Emerging Physician Scientist (EPS) Faculty Fellows.

 The award recipients are:

• Miroslav Cuturic, M.D., assistant professor of neurology 
• Roy Mathew, M.D., clinical associate professor of internal medicine – nephrology
• Kristl Tomlin, M.D., clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and clinical assistant professor of pediatrics

These faculty members will participate in a 15-month program that aims to facilitate new and innovative, interdisciplinary, translational research with an emphasis on diseases and conditions impacting South Carolinians. The EPS program includes training in translational research and grant development, as well as mentorship from experienced researchers. Each of the EPS fellows will receive a $20,000 pilot grant to fund projects that will support the development of extramural funding opportunities.

Cuturic’s research seeks to create a pre-clinical model of chronic alcohol exposure in Parkinson’s disease, serving as another step in advancing translational research capabilities in the Department of Neurology.  His work enhances interdisciplinary collaborations that have been underway with the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (PPN).  

Mathew’s project is a retrospective look at the drivers of the modification or elimination of guideline-directed medical therapy due to worsening renal failure in patients suffering acute decompensated heart failure. This is part of work to develop interventions that will improve outcomes for individuals with heart failure. 

Tomlin will launch a randomized controlled trial of pharmacologic management of breakthrough bleeding associated with the etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant in adolescents. This is the first step in leading to a multicenter clinical trial to address this problem, which is one of the leading causes for removal of this highly effective implant.

Now in its second year, the EPS fellowship program is a part of the Research Center for Transforming Health, which is dedicated to enhancing the ability of UofSC clinical faculty to do research that will have a meaningful impact on patients.

“This program is a significant part of enabling the success of the next generation of clinical translational investigators,” says Christine Turley, M.D., director of the Research Center for Transforming Health, “Their work to find solutions for these health care challenges will mean a healthier future for South Carolina.”