Dan Foster
Dan is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He is originally from Geneseo, NY, and has a BS in Biochemistry from Bucknell University, and a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan. His post-doctoral work at the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt University built on his long-standing interest in G-protein-coupled receptor pharmacology. He has worked on numerous projects elucidating these receptors as potential therapeutic targets for numerous disorders, an interest that he continues to pursue. Outside of the lab, he enjoys fishing, soccer, and being disappointed by the New York Jets.
PhD Students
Curran Johnston
Curran is from central Texas and has a BS in Physics from Southwestern University and an MS in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. His previous work in the field has been focused on fiber photometry data processing and AI assisted analysis of rodent behavior with Dr. Foster both at Vanderbilt University and the University of South Carolina.
Daniel Joyner
With a long-standing interest in neuropharmacology, he received a BS in Psychology from Francis Marion University in his native Florence, South Carolina, then lived abroad for several years in Australia to complete an MPharm at Griffith University. His research focuses on neural circuitry within the striatum and connected regions and their role in habitual behavior and other aspects of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, OCD and ASD. Utilizing pharmacology, fiber photometry, and electrophysiology, he is working to better understand the interplay of certain neurotransmitters within these regions, how they may go awry, and how we might utilize novel pharmaceutical approaches to optimize these circuits and ultimately improve quality of life for patients.
Research Assistants
Andrew is from Columbia, South Carolina and has a BS and ME in Biomedical Engineering from the University of South Carolina. In his spare time, he enjoys all things nerdy from video games and anime to Dungeons and Dragons.
Becca Carden
Becca is from Cary, North Carolina. She recently graduated from the University of South Carolina with a major in Psychology and a Minor in Neuroscience. She enjoys spending time at the beach, taking roadtrips, and trying new restaurants.
Andrew Shuler
Undergraduate Students
Dillon Burr
Dillon is from Chesterfield, South Carolina and is a Senior at the University of South Carolina. He is a member of the Honors College, pursuing a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a Forensic Science minor. He will be starting at the USC College of Pharmacy in the fall of 2025. Dillon enjoys cooking and winning at trivia in his free time.
Maddy Lucas
Maddy is from Columbus, Ohio, and is a senior at the University of South Carolina. She is pursuing a degree in Neuroscience with minors in Psychology and Medical Humanities. She enjoys spending her time working out, diving into a good book, or getting involved on campus!
Margo Wheeler
Margo is a Senior Neuroscience major with minors in Music and Piano Performance. In her spare time, she enjoys writing music, reading horror novels, and researching obscure historical figures and religions. In the future, Meghan is interested in pursuing a PhD in neuroscience, particularly in the realm of chronic pain and aging research.
Pranav Malladi
Kavya is from Fort Mill, South Carolina, and is an undergraduate at the University of South Carolina. She is a member of the Honors College and is pursuing a Biological Sciences degree with minors in Psychology and Computer Science. In her spare time, Kavya enjoys reading books, attending events around the city or campus, and spending time with her two kittens, Max and Mocha!
Izzy Ramage
Kellan McDowell
Pranav is from Atlanta, Georgia and is a junior at the University of South Carolina Honors College pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with a Business Administration minor. In his free time he likes to dance, make music, and work out. In the future he hopes to go to medical school!
Misha is from Fort Mill, South Carolina and is a senior at the University of South Carolina. He is pursuing a degree in Neuroscience with a concentration in Cellular/Molecular Neuroscience. He hopes to attend medical school and become a vascular neurosurgeon. In his spare time Misha enjoys traveling, reading, dancing, learning new languages, snowboarding, and watching the Philadelphia Eagles and Indiana Pacers play.
Kavya Mekala
Izzy is from Anderson, South Carolina and is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina. She is pursuing a degree in Public Health with a minor in biology. She loves spending her time outdoors and with her friends and family!
Misha May
Kellan is from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He is currently a Junior at USC studying Biology and Spanish as a double-major with a Pre-Med specialty. Kellan enjoys staying active, keeping up with sports, and reading a good book every so often.