Education

• 2016 – University of South Carolina Aiken – Bachelor of Science – Biology
• 2019 - University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Master of Science – Biomedical Science (Applied Biotechnology)
• 2022 - University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Ph.D. – Biomedical Science (Cellular and Molecular Biology)

Biography

Dr. Austin Worden is the Director of the USC Instrumentation Resource Facility and the USC School of Medicine Applied Biotechnology Program, as well as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. He earned his B.S. in biology from the University of South Carolina Aiken, followed by an M.S. in biomedical science (applied biotechnology) and a Ph.D. in biomedical science (cellular and molecular biology) from the USC School of Medicine Columbia. Previously, Austin spent time working in industry science as part of an ELISA development team and general microscopy expert at RayBiotech Life. He then served as a widefield and confocal microscopy expert at the Emory University Integrated Cellular Imaging Core. In his current roles, he oversees advanced core imaging services and biotechnology education, training the next generation of researchers while contributing to scientific advancements locally and nationally. He served as the youngest Treasurer and now the current Secretary of the USC School of Medicine Alumni Board, and participates on numerous Graduate Program, Departmental, and Research Core steering committees. In addition, he serves on the Editorial Board of Microscopy Today, acts as an Ad Hoc Reviewer for the Microscopy & Microanalysis journal, and holds leadership positions in professional societies such as the Microscopy Society of America (MSA) and the Southeastern Microscopy Society (SEMS). Currently pursuing an MBA at USC Aiken, Dr. Worden remains dedicated to bridging science, technology, and business. Beyond his professional commitments, he enjoys gardening, sports, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and their two Australian shepherds.

Publications

Worden AN, Pittard EG, Stern M, Uline MJ, and Potts JD. (2024). The Role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 Signaling Pathway in Regulating Cellular Migration. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 31(2): ozaf011, https://doi.org/10.1093/mam/ozaf011. *Image selected for journal cover.

Worden AN. (2024). The Alphabet Soup of Microscopy: An Introduction to Advanced Imaging Techniques. Part III: Microscopy Today, 32(6): 57-62.https://doi.org/10.1093/mictod/qaae083

Worden AN. (2024). The Alphabet Soup of Microscopy: An Introduction to Advanced Imaging Techniques. Part II: What the FLIP, FLAP, FRAP, FRET, and FLIM is going on? Microscopy Today, 32(5): 53-57. https://doi.org/10.1093/mictod/qaae065

Worden AN. (2024). The Alphabet Soup of Microscopy: An Introduction to Advanced Imaging Techniques. Part I: Super-Resolution’s STED, SIM, SMI, and SMLM. Microscopy Today, 32(4):42-47. https://doi.org/10.1093/mictod/qaae048

Worden A, Uline M, Shazly T, Stern M, and Potts JD. (2022). Self-Assembling Cell Constructs for Tissue Engineering Applications. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 28(2): 543-552. doi:10.1017/S1431927622000253

Worden A, Stern M, Uline M, and Potts J. (2020). Novel Method to Study Stem Cells in Development and Disease. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 1-3. doi:10.1017/S1431927620017808

Worden A, Uline M, and Potts J. (2020), A Model System to Analyze Cell:Cell and Cell:ECM Interactions. The FASEB Journal, 34: 1-1. doi:10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.05319.

Potts JD, Junor L, Worden A, and Uline M. (2018). Modeling and Imaging Interactive Biomaterial Effects on Self-Organizing Tissues. Microsc. Microanal. 24(Suppl 1).