Dr. ​Gloria Sanders McCutcheon

Chair and Professor of Biology, Dr. McCutcheon considers her research experiences as the basis for what she does today in administration, research, teaching, and service.

Biography

As an entomologist, Dr. McCutcheon enjoys making sure that the students can see a connection between public health and the environment as new opportunities open up for them. She sends students to various laboratories across the nation and around the world to conduct research. Teaching research ethics and public health allows her to apply first-hand experiences and years of practice to classroom teaching.

Having been recognized by Claflin University for Innovative Scientific Research, Dr. McCutcheon has made significant contributions in public health, focusing on research strategies to address health disparities and to decrease pesticide usage. As a Food and Community Policy Fellow who has studied food systems globally in Africa, Central and South America, and Europe, she focuses on relationships between health and agriculture. She is a trailblazer in mentoring students at all educational levels, and she has been highlighted by the White House and federal funding agencies for her work in mentoring students in science.

Education

• University of Georgia Environmental Entomology Ph. D., 1987
• Clemson University Entomology M.S., 1978
• Clemson University Zoology B.S., 1973

Research Interests

• Health Disparities/Community Health
• Health Promotion of Chronic and Infectious Diseases
• Integrated Pest Management in Horticultural and Agronomic Ecosystems
• Environmental Entomology

Experience

Dr. Gloria S. McCutcheon (Scientist, Author, Teacher, Community Worker) is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Claflin University. She earned the BS degree in Zoology and MS degree in Entomology from Clemson University, and the PhD in Environmental Entomology from University of Georgia in 1987. Dr. McCutcheon was the first African American to earn degrees in this underrepresented area of science from both Clemson and UGA. As a result of her contributions to history, she was invited to author a book chapter in Memoirs of Black Entomologists. Her wealth of experience has earned her the honored recognition of Emerita Professor at Clemson University when she retired after 33 years of service, directing M.S. and Ph.D. level students who are making contributions in environmental entomology around the globe. Her research to reduce toxic chemical insecticide usage is widely recognized (over 100 publications) and has been funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation (NSF). . She has also gained experience and conducted research at the University of South Carolina’s Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities. With a focus on public health and biomedical science, Dr. McCutcheon is Principal Investigator of the Research Initiatives for Scientific Enhancement (funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Scientists) leading a team of 12 researchers at Claflin University to increase opportunities and career development for undergraduate students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) as well as in the humanities. She mentors a dozen students annually in public health research at Claflin and in collaboration with other Universities and Government Agencies. As a member of the inaugural class of the Kellogg Foundation Food and Community Policy Fellows, she has travelled and conducted research extensively in Europe, Africa, Latin America, South America, and Central America to study food systems and global health. Dr. McCutcheon served on the Columbia College Board of Trustees for 12 years, leading the Academic Affairs Committee for four years. She also collaborates with researchers at Africa University in Zimbabwe (Southern Africa).

Activities and Honors

• The Attorney William H. and Annette B. Johnson Annual Faculty Award for Innovative Scientific Research (2015)
• International Congress of Entomology (2014-2016), Advisory Committee on Diversity
• Spotlight Award from the Claflin University Center for Excellence in Teaching, Spotlight Award for Excellence in Service (2013)
• Congressional Tribute to Community Leader, University Professor, and Accomplished Scientist by The Honorable James E. Clyburn during the 109th Congress, July 27, 2006
• Board Member, The Tri-County Health Network, The Regional Medical Center
• Health & Wellness Committee – Claflin University
• Parliamentarian – Claflin University Faculty 2016-2017
• Past-President – SC Entomological Society (2002)
• Editorial Board of several journals
• American Public Health Association (2008-Present)
• SC Public Health Association (2008-Present)
• Salzburg Seminar – Convergence of Animal and Public Health, Austria (2007)
• National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges – Presenter (2006)
• Award for Faculty Excellence – Clemson University Board of Trustees (2002 & 2005)
• W. K. Kellogg Food and Society Policy Fellow (Inaugural Class)
• Columbia College Board of Trustees (1994-2006)
• Travel Grant to participate in Study Tour of Sustainable Agriculture- Cuba
• National Co-Chairperson and Author of Youth Development Program for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
• Charleston County 4-H Advisory Board; Annual Friend of 4-H Tri-County Award
• Teaching SMART Scientist
• U.S.Presidential Award in Mentoring Science, Math, & Engineering Nominee, Clemson
• Outstanding Professional Presentation, S. C. Entomological Society
• Chairperson-Internal Advisory Committee, Coastal Research and Education Center
• Chairperson- Scholarship Committee, Congressional Black Caucus (J. Clyburn, District 6)
• President of Florence County 4-H Foundation
• USA Today, Community Solutions to Education
• Chairperson, Auditing & Membership, Entomological Society of America, Southeastern and Diversity Committee 2016
• National Science Foundation, Models of Excellence

Recent Publications

• Ogbuji, Kelechi, G McCutcheon, A Simmons, M Snook, H Harrison, and A Levi. (2012). Partial leaf chemical profiles of a desert watermelon species (Citrullus colocynthis) and heirloom watermelon cultivars (Citrullus lanatus var lanatus). HortScience. 47:580-584.
• McCutcheon, G. S. and J. R. Ruberson. (2004). Crop Insect Control, Red Imported Fire Ants In Encyclopedia of Pest Management; Pimentel, D., Ed.; Marcel Dekker, Inc.: New York, http://www.dekker.com/srvlet/product/DOI/101081EEPm 120024657UT.
• Manyangarirwa, W., Turnbull, M., McCutcheon, G. S., and Smith, J. P. (2006). Gene pyramiding as a Bt resistance management strategy: How sustainable is this strategy? African Journal of Biotechnology 5, 781-785.
• McCutcheon, G. S., Simmons, A. M., and Norsworthy, J. (2009). Effect of wild radish on preimaginal development of Diabrotica balteata and Agrotis ipsilon. J of Sustainable Agriculture 33:119-127.
• Manyangarirwa, W, Zehnder, G.W., McCutcheon, G.S. and others. (2011). African Journal of Microbiology Research 4:1717-1722.
• McCutcheon, GS. 2013. Autobiography of Gloria S. McCutcheon In Black Entomologists in the United States. Eric Riddick, editor.

Research Support

• PI: 2015-2020; RISE at Claflin University through Collaborative Interdisciplinary Mentoring in Biomedical Sciences, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Initiatives for Scientific Enhancement, $1.3 million.
• PI: 2013-present; Public Health Liaison: 2011-2013; Coordinating Center of Excellence in the Social Promotion of Health Equity Research; NIH - National Institute on Minority Health & Health Disparities; (Sub-Award-University of SC Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities); 2011-2015
• Co-PI: Morehouse School of Medicine from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) “Behavioral Health Capacity Expansion Mini-Grant” 8/1/2011-7/31/2015 $37,500 for 5 years.
• Faculty Advisor: CU-CARES (Creating Awareness by Reaching & Educating on Substance Abuse”, Public Health Student Alliance, $750) and “Understanding Behavioral Health in an Era of Health Care Reform” 2013 Dr. Lonnie E. Mitchell HBCU Behavioral Health Policy Academy, 4/13–4/15, 2013; (All expenses paid for 5 interns and 2 faculty advisors).
• Project Coordinator: Project Coordinator: “The Regional Medical Center Scholarship and Internship Program”
• PI: Dean Verlie Tisdale Institutional Support from The Regional Medical Center Foundation $100,000 for 4 full scholarships and year-long internships in public health; 8/1/2012-7/31/2013

Recent Presentations

• Blake B, Simmons AM, McCutcheon GS, Walla MD, Kantor M, and Levi A. Indentification of unique volatile compounds associated with repelling whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in desert watermelon (Citrullus colocynthis). 2016 XXV International Congress of Entomology. U. S. Department of Agriculture and Claflin University. Orlando, FL, September 25-30, 2016.
• Orimadegun Joel Famuyide*, Randall Harris, Gloria McCutcheon, Florence Anoruo. The Inhibition of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilm formation by African plant extracts. Partering for synergy and success- Student Research Poster presentation. Savannah River Laboratory--HBCU -Research collaboration workshop. Aiken, SC. April 24, 2014 (Poster).
• Shaniqua Tisdale*, Gloria McCutcheon, Samina Noorali. The Effect of MicroRNA 187 on Hepatitis C Virus Replication in Infected Liver Cells. Seventh Annual James E. Clyburn Health Disparities Lecture. April 11, 2014. Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, South Carolina (Poster).