After earning a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Lehigh University, Bethlehem,
Pa., Dr. Best earned a master's degree in toxicology and a Ph.D. in genetics and toxicology
from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. He completed clinical fellowships
in medical genetics and clinical cytogenetics and is a Diplomate of the American Board
of Medical Genetics. He is a founding fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics.
Dr. Best has been a professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division
of Clinical Genetics, at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, where
he has been on faculty since 1987. He has served as the director of the Division of
Genetics since 1991, where he oversees active programs in genetic counseling, prenatal
screening and laboratory medicine, and serves as the director of the regional genetic
center in Columbia.
Dr. Best has developed significant expertise in matters of faculty governance with
service to UofSC as chair of the Faculty Senate, chair of the Steering Committee for
Focus Carolina (university-level strategic planning), Presidential Search Committee,
Provost Search Committee, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation,
Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accreditation for the UofSC School of
Medicine (Columbia), and leadership in the development of UofSC’s core curriculum
and quality enhancement plan for accreditation.
Dr. Best serves as secretary to two professional organizations, the Cancer Cytogenetics
Microarray Consortium and the International Academy of Nanomedicine, and has been
on the Board of Directors for the American Cytogenetics Conference. He is a member
of the core faculty for the UofSC Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities. His
research interests and activities include bioethics, complex genetic traits, birth
defect prevention, molecular cytogenetics and the uptake of emerging medical technologies.
He is well published in the field of medical genetics.
Dr. Best has been recognized through local and national awards for excellence in
teaching and has attained the highest level of achievement in teaching through the
UofSC School of Medicine, earning six Teaching Enhancement Awards, qualifying him
as a certified master teacher. Dr. Best now serves as associate dean for Faculty Affairs
at the UofSC School of Medicine Greenville.
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