Innovista Profiles

Dr. Harris Pastides

Pastides sees University blossom with Innovista
With the help of Dr. Harris Pastides, the University of South Carolina’s growth is blossoming along with the colorful flowers and trees across campus.

“Since I arrived in 1998, I’ve seen a physical renaissance and transformation in the culture here. The university has become more energetic, driven, and academically competitive. Each freshman class has gotten stronger each year, and the University of South Carolina is taking major strides toward becoming a top national university,” says Pastides, vice president of research and health sciences.

Partnerships and opportunity
The attractive campus, along with the hospitality and grace of the people, initially lured Pastides. In his role, he identifies opportunities for research faculty to excel, while managing the University’s economic development and the five health science schools and colleges. Pastides and University President Andrew Sorensen have attracted support for Innovista and increased University participation in the economic development of South Carolina by establishing statewide public and private partnerships.

Innovista’s private-sector companies will bring jobs to the region and provide internship and employment opportunities for students, while benefiting from the world-class expertise of South Carolina faculty.

Previously, Pastides was dean of the Arnold School of Public Health. Before joining South Carolina, he was chairman of the department of biostatistics and epidemiology at University of Massachusetts Amherst and a senior Fulbright research fellow at the University of Athens, Greece.

Innovation, arts, recreation
“Innovista will become one of the nation’s top environments for attracting a knowledge base and bringing rich opportunities for faculty and students,” he says. According to Pastides, it will help build the University’s reputation for innovation and progress and deliver a burst of economic activity in the city, state, and region by creating opportunities for students, faculty, and innovative companies.

In addition, a new baseball stadium for the nationally ranked Gamecocks will open in spring 2008. On deck are a world-class Waterfront Park and new housing options. Pastides says Innovista will provide a broader platform for exhibiting extraordinary talent, a place for all disciplines to flourish.

“It’s not all about science and technology,” he says. “Innovista will also bring opportunities for fine and performing arts.”