Student Accomplishments
Medical Students | |
 | James Massaro, Medical University of South Carolina 2012 Summer Program Project: "Suicide After Spinal Cord Injury" James attended the University of Miami's General Honors Program and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Biology. While studying in Miami, he worked as a research assistant for the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Now he is currently working with Dr. Yue Cao regarding suicide after spinal cord injury. He hopes to finish medical school, possibly enter a surgical residency program, and then begin his own research projects. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133B090005 |
 | Chandler Church, Medical University of South Carolina Project: "Post-Hospitalization Mortality after Traumatic Brain Injury, South Carolina 1998-2009" Chandler is a rising second year medical student at MUSC. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in biostatistics and biology from UNC Chapel Hill in 2011. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career as an infectious diseases physician. Outside of work, she loves to play soccer and rock climb. Paper Published: Selassie, A., Cao, Y., Church, C., Saunders, L.L., & Krause, J.S. (in press). Specific pre-existing diseases accelerated death rate in population-based cohort of persons with traumatic brain injury. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133B090005 |
 | Trey Bingham, Medical University of South Carolina Project: "Spasticity and fatigue after spinal cord injury: A relationship with socioeconomic and demographic factors" Trey obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with an Emphasis in Computational Science from Wofford College in 2009. Trey has completed his first year of medical school at MUSC and is working with Dr. Krause investigating the epidemiology of spinal cord injuries. He has previous experience as a research intern at both NASA in Ames, California and the University of South Carolina. He has also functioned as an Emergency Room Technician in West Columbia, SC and a Land Surveyor in Cayce, SC. In the future, Trey hopes to graduate medical school and become a successful physician. In his spare time, he likes to fish, work on computers, cook, and play golf. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133B090005 |
 | Simon Brown, Medical University of South Carolina Project: "Racial disparities in depression and subjective well-being after spinal cord injury: A mediational model" Simon is a second year student in the College of Medicine at MUSC. He is orignially from Camden, South Carolina and graduated from Brown University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology. While at Brown he played both football and bass trombone in the jazz band. Simon will be working in Dr. Krause's lab as a researcher studying spinal cord injuries. His future goals are to finish medical school and potentially pursue a career in sports medicine. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133A080064 and #H133B090005 |
Ryan Kohout, Medical University of South Carolina Project: "The relationship between prescription medication use and ability to ambulate distances after spinal cord injury" Accomplishments: Paper Published: Kohout, R., Saunders, L.L., & Krause, J.K. (2011). The relationship between prescription medication use and ability to ambulate distances after spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 92, 1246-1249. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133B090005 | |
Graduate Students | |
 | Nicole DeBarge, MS, Medical University of South Carolina Nicole is a graduate assistant for the SCI research team. She graduated from The University of Georgia in 2009 with a BSEd in Exercise Science and from The University of South Carolina in 2011, where she received a MS in Exercise Science. Nicole recently moved to Charleston and is currently completing her first year of PhD coursework in the College of Health Professions PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science Program. Nicole’s research interests include examining the effects of exercise on functional and quality of life improvements in disease states in adolescents and adults. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133B090005 |
 | Kendrea Focht, CScD, MS, Medical University of South Carolina Kendrea worked as a graduate assistant for the Longevity after Injury Project from 2010-2011. She graduated from North Carolina State University in 2005 with a B.A. in Communication Science with a concentration in Disorders and double minors in Linguistics and Psychology. She then moved to Lafayette, IN to attend Purdue University and earned her MS in Speech-Language Pathology in 2007. Kendrea went on to earn a Doctorate of Clinical Science (CScD) in Medical Speech-Language Pathology in 2010 from the University of Pittsburgh. Kendrea next moved to Charleston, SC to earn a PhD in the Health and Rehabilitation Science Program at MUSC. Her research interests involve swallowing and voice disorders in patients with neurological disorders and head and neck cancer. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133B090005 |
Jennifer Bozard, MA, Medical University of South Carolina Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133B090005 | |
 | Khadidra Washington, South Carolina State University Project: "How a Low Socioeconomic Status Affects the Quality of Life among Individuals Living with Spinal Cord Injury" Khadidra was born in Beaufort, SC and raised in Ridgeland, SC. She is a graduate student in the Rehabilitation Counseling program with a specialization in Human Development and Consultation at SCSU. Khadidra obtained an Associate in Liberal Arts from Denmark Technical College in May of 2007, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Claflin University in May 2012. While at SCSU, she has worked closely with her mentor, Dr. David Staten and also with Dr. Cassandra Sligh-Conway in the Rehabilitation Program area. After obtaining her Masters of Art in Rehabilitation Counseling, Khadidra plans to enroll in a Doctor of Clinical Psychology program with a specialization in positive psychology. Her ultimate goal is to open a non-profit community center in her hometown of Ridgeland to help those that are in dire need of rehabilitation therapy. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133A080064 |
 | Jamar Booth, South Carolina State University Project: "Occupational interests after Spinal Cord Injury" From Lamar, SC, Jamar is currently in his second year in the Rehabilitation Counseling program at SCSU, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2012. He obtained a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education/Activity Management in 2009, also from SCSU. While in graduate school, Jamar has worked as a graduate assistant to Dr. Cassandra Sligh-Conway and Dr. Christopher C. Mathis. Upon graduation, he plans to enroll in a Doctoral Program in the area of Rehabilitation Counseling. Additionally, Jamar will gain certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. He would like to serve as an instructor at the Masters level and become a Licensed Professional Counselor. Jamar's ultimate goal is to own a counseling organization centered on Domestic Violence-intervention and prevention. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133A080064 |
Randy Goodin, Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133A080064 | |
Jennifer Nowell, Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133A080064 | |
Navodda Wilson, Project: "The General Populations's Attitudes Towards Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries" Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133A080064 | |
Undergraduate Students | |
 | Ene P. Ekoja, Spelman College Project: "A Comparison of the prevalence of protective health behaviors among African Americans with spinal cord injury (SCI) to African Americans in the general population" Ene is currently a junior at Spelman College where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She is originally from Greensboro, North Carolina. Upon graduation (May 2014), Ene intends to further her education by enrolling in medical school where she plans to obtain a MD degree with a concentration in pediatrics. With that degree she plans to become a pediatrician specifically for immigrants and refugees. Ene is participating in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) under the direction of James Krause, Ph.D. Ene is participating in team activities such as data entry and verifying data. Paper Published: Saunders, L.L., Ekoja, E., Whitlock, C., DiPiro, N.D., Gregory-Bass, R., & Krause, J.S. (in press). A comparison of health behaviors between African Americans with spinal cord injury and those in the general population. NeuroRehabilitation. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133A080064 |
 | Chelsea Whistlock, Spelman College Project: "African-Americans with spinal cord injury: will they be more likely to report risk behaviors for chronic disease than African-Americans in the general population?" Chelsea is a rising sophomore at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Art in Sociology on a Pre-Medicine track along with a minor in dance. She plans to enter medical school after graduating in 2015 and become a cardiothoracic surgeon specializing in neonatology and pediatrics. Her strong interest in the medical field has been fueled by past internships in in clinical physical therapy, phlebology,geriatric care, as well as healthcare IT. Chelsea is participating in the MUSC College of Graduate Studies Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) under the direction of Dr. Krause and mentorship of Dr. Saunders, and will be conducting research on the correlation between the risk behaviors for chronic disease of African Americans in the general population versus African Americans with SCI.This research will result in a manuscript to be submitted for publication this summer. Paper Published: Saunders, L.L., Ekoja, E., Whitlock, C., DiPiro, N.D., Gregory-Bass, R., & Krause, J.S. (in press). A comparison of health behaviors between African Americans with spinal cord injury and those in the general population. NeuroRehabilitation. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133A080064 |
Allysan Scatterday, Project: "Case Study: In-home exercise program produces functional outcomes for individual with incomplete spinal cord injury" Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133B090005 | |
 | Leah Snipe, Wofford College Project: "The prevalence of cardiopathy, hypertension, and diabetes in persons with acute traumatic spinal cord injury" Leah is a rising sophomore at Wofford College, where she is double-majoring in Biology and Spanish with a Pre-Med focus. She plans to enter medical school after graduating in 2014 and become a physician. Leah is participating in the MUSC College of Graduate Studies Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) under the direction of Dr. Krause and mentorship of Dr. Selassie, and will be conducting research that will result in a manuscript to be submitted for publication this summer. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133A080064 |
 | Kate Measom, Vanderbilt University Project: "Alcohol, prescription medications, and depressive symptomatology of persons with spinal cord injury" Kate is currently an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, where she is majoring in both Psychology and French. She will be spending her fall semester in Aix-en-Provence, France, where she will complete an internship in a hospital in Marseille. Upon graduation, she hopes to attend medical school. Kate is participating in the MUSC College of Graduate Studies Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) under the direction of Dr. Krause, and will be doing a research project on a topic of her choice throughout the summer. Sponsored: NIDRR--#H133A080064 |
Dana Westerkam, Project: "Association of spasticity and life satisfaction after spinal cord injury" Accomplishments: Paper Published: Westerkam, D., Saunders, L.L., & K.S., Krause, J.S. (2011). Association of spasticity and life satisfaction after spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord, 49, 990-994. Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133B090005 | |
 | Bridget Peters, Spelman College Sponsored by: NIDRR--#H133A080064 |