Faculty and Staff
William Wright, Ph.D.
| Title: | Associate Professor |
| Biomedical Sciences | |
| School of Medicine Greenville | |
| E-mail: | wrigh288@greenvillemed.sc.edu |
| Phone: | 864-766-2095 |
| Office: | 701 Grove Road Greenville SC 29605 |
Bio
| Background: | Dr. Wright is a Clinical Associate Professor and the Associate Dean for Program Assessment and Accreditation for the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. Dr. Wright earned a B.S.Ed. in Health/Fitness and an M.S.Ed. in Exercise Physiology from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He earned a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Physiology from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Louisiana where he worked in the lab of Dr. Norman Harris investigating the role of thromboxane in the development of hypoxia in the diabetic retina. Dr. Wright continued this research as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Harris. Dr. Wright then accepted a faculty position at the University of South Carolina Upstate as an assistant professor teaching human anatomy and physiology. In 2011, Dr. Wright joined the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville as a clinical assistant professor and founding faculty member where he has served as founding Year 1 Academic Director and Module Director for the module Structure and Function of the Human Body before becoming the Director of Assessment for over seven years. In addition to his duties as Associate Dean, Dr. Wright teaches physiology and pathophysiology and continues his research in medical education; specifically, assessment practices, student performance, and curricular design in medical education. Dr. Wright has been recognized for his contributions and has received an Outstanding Teacher Award, Outstanding Service Award, the Dean’s Award, and elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He has also completed the Association of American Medical Colleges Leadership Education and Development Certificate Program. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, baking, traveling, and spending time with his wife and two children. |
| Teaching Interest(s): | I have always had a desire and passion for teaching. I consider it a privilege to be one piece of the puzzle in the education of future physicians and scholars. My current areas of teaching are cellular, cardiovascular, and respiratory physiology. |
| Research Interest(s): | My primary research interest is to determine mechanisms of dysfunction that occur early in the diabetic retina which lead to the development of diabetic retinopathy. Inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and reactive oxygen species are potential mechanisms that lead to the upregulation of new blood vessels that develop on the surface of the retina leading to blindness for many who are affected. Specifically, I am interested in inflammatory mediators that modify vascular endothelial cell function and results in altered blood flow to the retina. New areas of research for me are assessment practices and curricular design in medical education. |
| Honors & Awards: | Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society Dean's Award Outstanding Service Award Outstanding Teacher Award |
| Professional Affiliations: | Accreditation, Preparation, & Quality Improvement Member Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society Member The Association for Medical Education in Europe Member The American Physiological Society Member The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Member National Strength and Conditioning Association Member The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Other - Student Member The American Physiological Society Other - Student Member |