SCTR CTTP Program Welcomes 2026 – 2027 Awardees

What is something that your mentor or other CTTP scholars would be surprised to know about you?

My brother, dad, and I are all physicians—which isn’t uncommon—but all three of us are practicing in a field different from where we began our training. My brother started in general surgery but moved to internal medicine and is now a gastroenterologist. My dad completed his internal medicine residency, then did a year of radiology before finding his way to radiation oncology, which was in its infancy at the time. I started in internal medicine before switching to pediatrics—and, after a public health fellowship, landed in infectious disease.

What drew you to the CTTP?

I knew I wanted to be a site investigator for vaccine trials after having been a medical monitor on the sponsor/industry side but wanted a mentored experience—CTTP fit the bill perfectly.

How does the CTTP fit into your prospective career trajectory?

I hope to build a strong portfolio of successful vaccine trials as a site investigator and generate high quality data that industry sponsors can use to bring effective vaccines to market. I would love the opportunity to serve on Data and Safety Monitoring Boards (DSMBs) in the future.

I’m really excited about the opportunity to participate in the CTTP and am truly grateful for being offered a spot.

What is something that your mentor or other CTTP scholars would be surprised to know about you?

I was a DJ in College with my own Radio Show, and my claim to fame was in 2005 when I was a warm-up act for Pharrell Williams.

What drew you to the CTTP?

I am passionate about delivering the highest standards of care for Spinal Cord Injured patients, and I believe that incremental gains for this patient population can only be delivered through exemplary research practice. Through the CTTP, I believe I can develop the research infrastructure to produce clinically meaningful research that can change the lives of Spinal Cord Injured patients here in South Carolina and across North America.

How does the CTTP fit into your prospective career trajectory?

I feel I am at a critical juncture in my career where I can move towards developing my footprint as an independent clinical researcher and develop funding avenues to reflect this. The CTTP can serve as the launchpad that I need to make the leap towards turning my plan for the MUSC Spine Clinical Research Center into a reality.

I look forward to learning and collaborating with my fellow CTTP Scholars and proudly representing MUSC this year and beyond.

What is something that your mentor or other CTTP scholars would be surprised to know about you?

Outside of medicine, I really enjoy traveling, trying new recipes, and hiking—anything that lets me explore new places and experiences. These activities give me a chance to reset and stay grounded, and I value having that balance alongside my clinical and academic work.

What drew you to the CTTP?

I was drawn to the CTTP because it offers a structured path from participating in clinical trials to leading them. As junior faculty, I was looking for a program that combines mentorship, practical training, and real trial experience—especially in areas like feasibility, budgeting, and start-up—which are critical for becoming an effective site PI.

How does the CTTP fit into your prospective career trajectory?

My goal is to become an independent clinical trialist in pediatric blood and marrow transplantation, with a focus on CAR-T and cellular therapy multicenter trials. The CTTP provides the foundation to build that career by helping me develop the skills and infrastructure needed to lead trials and grow a sustainable clinical research portfolio.

I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to expand access to innovative cellular therapies through clinical trials. Being able to bring these studies to our patients—and contribute to advancing the field—is a meaningful part of why I pursued this path.

What is something that your mentor or other CTTP scholars would be surprised to know about you?

Prior to pursuing gynecologic oncology/Medicine I studied ecology at the University of Vermont. during this time, I spent 9 months in Madagascar where I did a Lemur research project and worked for an NGO focusing on sustainable development and Mangrove protection.

What drew you to the CTTP?

I was initially drawn to the CTTP as a new faculty to learn more about clinical trials. Clinical trials have led to an explosion in new therapeutics for gynecological oncology recently. I want to be on the forefront if the use of new therapeutics for my future career and patients.

How does the CTTP fit into your prospective career trajectory?

CTTP will allow me to learn more about designing and implementing clinical trials. I hope to one day collaborate with basic scientists to help develop new clinical trials here at MUSC.