Faculty and Staff
Anna V. Blenda, Ph.D.
| Title: | Clinical Professor |
| Biomedical Sciences | |
| Prisma Health Cancer Institute | |
| School of Medicine Greenville | |
| E-mail: | ablenda@greenvillemed.sc.edu |
| Phone: | 864-766-2087 |
| Office: | HSAB 250 Greenville SC 29605 |
Bio
| Background: | Education and Training Dr. Blenda earned a Diploma of Specialist with Highest Honors (combined BS/MS degree) in biology and English, with a minor in German, from Bohdan Khmelnytsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University (Melitopol, Ukraine). She holds a PhD in biotechnology from the Institute of Agroecology and Biotechnology (Kyiv, Ukraine), and a PhD in genetics from Clemson University (Clemson, USA). After completing her second PhD in 2003, Dr. Blenda worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Clemson University Genomics Institute and later as a research assistant professor in the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry at Clemson University. She was involved in multidisciplinary research projects focused on developing genomic resources for several model organisms. Academic Appointments and Teaching Dr. Blenda’s subsequent appointments included roles as assistant professor and associate professor with tenure at Erskine College (2008-2016), where she taught molecular and cell biology, genetics, and medical biotechnology. She also conducted genetic and genomic research and oversaw student research projects. In the Fall 2012, she contributed to the development and teaching of the inaugural course Molecular and Cellular Foundations of Medicine at the School of Medicine Greenville. Dr. Blenda joined the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the School of Medicine Greenville in December 2016 and was promoted to full professor in August 2023. In the Fall 2023, she was instrumental in leading and delivering Foundations of Medicine 1, the very first course launched as part of the SOM Greenville's Curriculum Refresh, further demonstrating her commitment to innovative medical education. Research and Collaborations In 2015–2016, Dr. Blenda spent nine months on a research sabbatical at Emory University School of Medicine, studying the antimicrobial properties of human galectin proteins. She conducted research as a visiting associate professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine with Dr. Sean Stowell, who is now affiliated with Harvard Medical School. This sabbatical served as a launching pad for her translational research projects. Dr. Blenda’s current research is conducted in close collaboration with the Prisma Health Cancer Institute, where she holds a joint appointment and leverages its Biorepository to access clinical resources. Her studies involve multiple collaborators, as well as medical students and other learners. Leadership in Research Dr. Blenda was appointed Director of Research in 2022 and later Director of Research Strategy and Operations at the School of Medicine Greenville. For three years, from November 2022 to October 2025, she led initiatives to integrate efforts across basic science and clinical faculty research, expand student research programs and events, and align research activities with accreditation standards to support institutional excellence. In addition, she managed SOMG’s research budgets, grant submissions, and research infrastructure, and oversaw compliance, safety, and long-term planning for research facilities—all in support of advancing the school’s mission in medical education and research-based learning. Professional Service Dr. Blenda actively contributes to international, national and institutional organizations and committees. She chaired the Publications Committee of the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE), served on professional development committees for IAMSE and the Association of Biochemistry Educators (ABE), and is a member of the Genetic Curriculum Directors Executive Committee of the Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics (APHMG). At USC School of Medicine Greenville, she chaired the Program Evaluation and Assessment Subcommittee, co-chaired the LCME Self-Study Assessment Committee, and is a founding member of the Academy of Educators (AoE). In addition, she serves on the USC's Institutional Biosafety Committee and is a reviewer for multiple scientific journals and federal and international funding agencies, including National Science Foundation (NSF), Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and French National Research Agency (ANR). |
| Teaching Interest(s): | Genetics Curriculum Lead (2023-present) Course Director, Foundations of Medicine 1 (2023-present). Course Director, Molecular and Cellular Foundations of Medicine (2022) Course Co-Director, Endocrine and Reproductive Systems (2022) Course Co-Director, Molecular and Cellular Foundations of Medicine (2017-2021). |
| Research Interest(s): | 1. Circular RNAs as biomarkers in cancer and endometriosis. Collaborations with Michael Shtutman, PhD, Functional Genomics Core, USC College of Pharmacy and Office of Research, Jeffery Edenfield, MD, Prisma Health Cancer Institute; Lisa Green, MD, and Paul Miller, MD, Prisma Health OB/GYN. 2. Analysis of cancer patients' molecular and clinical data using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning approaches. Collaboration with Homayoun Valafar, PhD, USC Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, and Jeffery Edenfield, MD, Prisma Health Cancer Institute. 3. Analysis of cancer mutational landscape. Collaboration with Jeffery Edenfield, MD, Prisma Health Cancer Institute. 4. Galectin and glycomic profiling of cancers. Collaboration with Jeffery Edenfield, MD, Prisma Health Cancer Institute, Connie Arthur, PhD, Harvard Medical School, and Nourine Kamili, MD, PhD, Emory University School of Medicine. 5. Investigation of antimicrobial properties of galectin proteins and application of glycan microarrays. Collaboration with Sean Stowell, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School, and Nourine Kamili, MD, PhD, Emory University School of Medicine. 6. Medical education research (assessment of knowledge retention and performance on course objectives by medical students; validity and reliability of student evaluations of teaching; impact of medical student research on residency match). |
| Honors & Awards: | "Bench to Bedside" Faculty Research Award, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 2024 Certificate of Mentor Excellence in Student Research (2024 SOARinG Program) Outstanding Mentor Award, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 2022 "Bench to Bedside" Faculty Research Award, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 2021 Golden Peach Excellence in Education Award, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 2020 Best Overall Research Poster Award, Health Sciences Center Research Showcase, Greenville Health System, April 13, 2018 Erskine College sabbatical award to participate in a research project "Innate Immunity in Fighting Molecular Mimicry" at Emory University School of Medicine, 20015 - 2016 South Carolina EPSCoR/IDeA Postdoctoral Academic Career Development (PACD) Scholarship (funded by NIH grant P20 RR-016461), Clemson University, 2007-2008 Former Soviet Union Area Studies Travel Award, Clemson University, 2007-2008 Clemson University Graduate Student Government Travel Award for the International Plant and Animal Genome-XI conference, January 2003 Wade Stackhouse Fellowship Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Plant and Animal Genetics, Clemson University, 2002-2003 Schilletter Fellowship (Horticulture Department Outstanding Graduate Student Award), Clemson University, 2001 Wade Stackhouse Fellowship Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Plant and Animal Genetics, Clemson University, 2001-2002 Schilletter Fellowship (Horticulture Department Outstanding Graduate Student Award), Clemson University, 2000 Wade Stackhouse Fellowship Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Plant and Animal Genetics, Clemson University, 2000-2001 Diploma of Specialist with Highest Honors (combined BS/MS), Melitopol, Ukraine, 1996 |
| Professional Affiliations: | Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics - Course Director Special Interest Group Member American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Member International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) Member Society for Glycobiology (SFG) Member American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) Other - Affiliate Scientist Association of American Medical Colleges SGEA Member Association of Biochemistry Educators (ABE) Member American Association of University Women (AAUW) Member American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Member Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics (APHMG) Other - Medical School Course Director An International Association for Medical Education (AMEE) Member American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Member American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Member |