GHS/USC researcher wins major research award
July 24, 2017
Manuel Casanova, M.D., a researcher at GHS and faculty member at the USC School of Medicine Greenville, along with researchers from Duke University and the University of Miami School of Medicine, won the first-ever Frontiers Spotlight Award for their study of brain augmentation and its impact on human super-intelligence.
Their research, titled “Augmentation of Brain Function: Facts, Fiction and Controversy,” is a collection of nearly 150 scientific articles covering all aspects of brain augmentation. More than 400 cutting-edge open-access research topics were submitted for the award with judges narrowing the field down to nine finalists and eventually one winner.
“Brain augmentation is no longer considered science fiction. The ability to send information to the brain and even transfer memories from one brain to another is becoming reality. Our research seeks to alert scientists and the broader public to the possible ethical, medical, health and legal implications of using information technology to augment human intelligence,” said Manuel Casanova, M.D., SmartState Endowed Chair in Childhood Neurotherapeutics for GHS and the University of South Carolina.
The research award comes with a $100,000 prize that will be used to facilitate an international scientific conference on brain augmentation in 2018 at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne, Switzerland.
About Greenville Health System
Greenville Health System (GHS) — an academic health system that is the largest not-for-profit healthcare delivery system in South Carolina — is committed to medical excellence through research, patient care and education. GHS offers patients an innovative network of clinical integration, expertise and technologies through its eight medical campuses, tertiary medical center, research and education facilities, community hospitals, physician practices and numerous specialty services throughout the Upstate. The 1,358-bed system is home to 15 medical residency and fellowship programs. GHS is also home to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, a joint effort of USC and GHS.Visit ghs.org for more information.
About the University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a globally recognized, high-impact research university committed to a superior students experience and dedicated to innovation in learning, research and community engagement. Founded in 1801, the university offers more than 350 degree programs and is a designated top-tier Carnegie Foundation research institution. More than 46,000 students are enrolled at one of 14 locations throughout the state, including the research campus in Columbia. With 47 nationally ranked academic programs including top-ranked programs in international business, the nation’s best honors college and distinguished programs in engineering, law, medicine, public health and the arts, the university is helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and around the world.
About the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville
The University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville is a partnership between the state’s largest university, the University of South Carolina (USC), and one of the largest health systems in the Southeast, the Greenville Health System (GHS). Located near GHS’ flagship tertiary hospital Greenville Memorial Hospital, the medical school graduated its first physician class in spring 2016. This “different school of thought” is dedicated to providing exceptional training for new physicians in transforming healthcare delivery. Learn more at greenvillemed.sc.edu.
