Historically Black South Carolina State University and the Medical University of South Carolina are participating in a study to determine why African Americans on the Sea Islands off the coast of the state are more likely than White Americans to develop and die from certain types of cancer. The research is funded by an $800,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health.
The co-principal investigator of the grant program is Marvella E. Ford, an associate professor in the College of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Ford holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.
Leading the research effort at South Carolina State University is Judith Salley-Guydon, chair of the department of biological and physical sciences. Professor Salley-Guydon is a graduate of South Carolina State University and holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in zoology from Ohio State University. Dr. Salley-Guydon points out the importance of the grant by stating, “In addition to conducting research that could lead to improved cancer treatment, the grant will also develop the careers of the next generation of cancer disparities researchers by training undergraduate students from SCSU, graduate students from MUSC, and junior faculty from both institutions.”
