Kandy Velazquez

Kandy Velazquez, PhD, FACSM, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia. Her research integrates endocrinology, immunology, and neuroscience to investigate cancer cachexia, obesity, pain, and herbal therapeutics in preclinical models.

Research Interests: Dr. Velazquez's work centers on metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction in disease states, particularly in skeletal muscle during cancer and obesity. She explores how sex steroids influence metabolism and how natural compounds like Ojeok-san and quercetin can ameliorate pain and muscle wasting. Her lab emphasizes the role of endogenous hormone production and environmental factors such as vivarium temperature in experimental reproducibility.

Publication Trends: Her recent publications (2022–2024) span high-impact journals in endocrinology, immunology, nutrition, and physiology. Collectively, they highlight a strong focus on hormonal regulation, mitochondrial quality control, and herbal interventions in murine models of disease, particularly cancer cachexia and inflammatory bowel disorders.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM)

Advising and Grants: While specific students are not listed, Dr. Velazquez leads an active research laboratory with ongoing projects supported by recent publications and lab infrastructure. Her work likely involves extramural funding given the scope of preclinical studies and multi-year output.

Labs and Teams: She directs the Velazquez Lab, which maintains dedicated lab spaces (Basic Science Bldg 2, Rooms B-3 & B-6) and conducts in vivo research using murine models to study metabolic, inflammatory, and neurological aspects of chronic diseases.