Robert H. Wagner, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
1921-2001
Robert H. Wagner Scholars in Molecular and Cellular Pathology

Lee Mangiante, Mark Gramling, and Devon Risher

In the Fall of 2004, the first two Robert H. Wagner Scholars in Molecular and Cellular Pathology were recruited to the Molecular and Cellular Pathology Ph.D. program: Lee E. Mangiante (University of South Carolina) and J. Devon Risher (Smith College).  In the Fall of 2005, a third Robert H. Wagner Scholar in Molecular and Cellular Pathology was added:  Mark W. Gramling (Clemson University).  A short biography for each of these students is provided below.

Mark W. Gramling (B.S., Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC) Robert H. Wagner Scholar in Molecular and Cellular Pathology, 2005-Present    Mark is originally from Irmo, SC.  He entered Clemson Univesity (Clemson SC) supported by a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and a Clemson University National Scholarship (which is given to the top 15 entering students each year).  Mark's academic accomplishmets at Clemson earned him membership in the Calhoun Honors College and he was named a Junior Fellow with the Dixon Fellows Program.  He was recognized on the President’s Honor List eight consective semesters (reflecting a semester GPA of 4.0).  Mark graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Microbiology in May of 2005.  As an undergraduate, Mark did research for two years in the laboratory of Dr. Weiguo Cao on DNA repair in microbial and animals systems.  Mark entered the Molecular and Cellular Pathology Ph.D. program in the Fall of 2005.  He is supported by a Thomas S. and Caroline H. Royster, Jr. Fellowship from the UNC Graduate School and the Robert H. Wagner Scholars Program in Molecular and Cellular Pathology.

Lee E. Mangiante (B.S., Biology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC) Robert H. Wagner Scholar in Molecular and Cellular Pathology, 2004-Present    Lee was born in Rhode Island, but spent most of her life living in Aiken SC.  While attending Aiken High School, Lee was selected as a National Merit Scholar, and graduated first out of 355 students.  She entered the University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) supported by a Palmetto Fellowship, a Carolina Scholarship, a Lieber Scholarship, and a Westinghouse Family Scholarship.  Lee’s academic accomplishments at the University of South Carolina earned her membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and recognition on the President’s Honor List 7 times (reflecting a semester GPA of 4.0), and the Dean’s Honor List for one semester.  Lee graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Biology in May of 2004, with a cumulative GPA through 4 years of 3.99.  As an undergraduate, Lee did research for two years in the Department of Pathology & Microbiology at the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina Cancer Center.  This research experience was the basis for Lee’s Undergraduate Research Honors Thesis.  Lee entered the Molecular and Cellular Pathology Ph.D. program in the Fall of 2004.  She is supported by the Joseph E. Pogue Fellowship from the UNC Graduate School and the Robert H. Wagner Scholars Program in Molecular and Cellular Pathology.

J. Devon Risher (B.S., Biological Science, Smith College, Northampton, MA) Robert H. Wagner Scholar in Molecular and Cellular Pathology, 2004-Present    Devon is originally from Ft. Myers, FL.  She attended college at Smith College (Northampton, MA), where she was supported by a Dunn Scholar Grant and the Elizabeth B. Horner Fellowship.  Devon’s academic accomplishments at Smith College earned her membership in the First Group Scholar Society, and recognition on the Dean’s List for eight consecutive semesters.  Devon graduated from Smith College in May of 2004 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences.  As an undergraduate, Devon did research for two years in the Department of Biology at Smith College.  This research experience was the basis for Devon’s Undergraduate Research Honors Thesis.  Devon entered the Molecular and Cellular Pathology Ph.D. program in the Fall of 2004.  She is supported by a Graduate School Merit Assistantship from the UNC Graduate School and the Robert H. Wagner Scholars Program in Molecular and Cellular Pathology.