Our Team
Core Team

Ciaran Fairman, PhD
Director
I am an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina and Director of the Exercise Oncology lab. I received my PhD in Kinesiology from The Ohio State University and completed my Postdoctoral Fellowship in Exercise Oncology at the Exercise Medicine Research Institute at Edith Cowan University in Australia.
Fun Facts: I play Gaelic football, an amazing sport that is indigenous to Ireland, and has some great clubs across the states! Despite living in Australia for almost 3 years, I never surfed, nor did I see any sharks..
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Morgan Jones, MS
PhD Research Assistant
I am an Alabama native who is especially interested in exercise's effects on the immune system. I am joining the lab to round out my grand tour of the SEC, coming to the lab with a bachelor's in organismal biology from Auburn University and a master's in exercise physiology from The University of Alabama. I oversee a lot of the projects in the lab and keep Ciaran on task when he gets distracted!
Fun Facts: My favorite hobbies include being walked by my collie, Thach, and Crossfit. Brownies > chocolate chip cookies.

Alec Schump, BS
Graduate Research Assistant
I am a recent graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder with a B.A. in Integrative Physiology. I am currently pursuing his M.S. in Exercise Science through the Arnold School of Public Health.
Fun Facts: I am a member of the university's coed cheerleading team.

Lupe
Lab Mascot
I am a 7 year old teacup yorkie. I spend most of my days sunbathing, but like to go on walks every now and again.
Fun facts: I love pupperoni.
Affiliate Members & Collaborators
We're lucky to work with and learn with some great people across campus!

Karen McDonnell, PHD, RN
Associate Professor,
College of Nursing,
University of South Carolina
Research Expertise:
Supportive care interventions for family dyads in cancer
Symptom management
Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Mobile health

Shaun Owens, PhD., MPH
Associate Professor,
College of Social Work,
University of South Carolina
Research Expertise
Health and Cancer Communications with diverse populations
Technology for health promotion and informed decision making in aging adults
Smart and connected health

Angela Murphy, PhD
Professor,
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
School of Medicine Columbia
Research Expertise
Immunology
Muscle wasting in Cancer

Brandon VanderVeen, PHD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow,
School of Medicine,
University of South Carolina
Research Expertise
Immunology
Muscle wasting in Cancer

Shana Harrington, PT, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor
Research Expertise
Cancer survivorship
Patient reported outcomes
Upper extremity impairments in breast cancer
Collaborators
We continue to learn and work with leaders in their respective fields from across the world.
Brian Focht, PHD
Director of Exercise and Behavioral Medicine Laboratory,
Department of Human Sciences,
The Ohio State University