Rachel Mayo

Rachel Mayo serves as a Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences within the College of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), focusing on translational research in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Her primary research investigates chronotherapy applications for ulcerative colitis treatment, specifically examining how circadian-aligned timing of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) administration affects therapeutic outcomes. Current work addresses the 35-52% treatment failure rates in standard 5-ASA therapy by studying dosing schedules relative to host biological rhythms, with emphasis on reducing subclinical inflammation and optimizing drug metabolism through personalized timing protocols.

Dr. Mayo leads the clinical trial Chronotherapy of 5-Aminosalicylic Acid in Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Crossover Trial (Pro00131187), initiated in 2023 under an R01 pilot mechanism. This six-month study enrolls 60 subjects with inactive ulcerative colitis but persistent subclinical inflammation, comparing morning (06:00-10:00) versus evening (18:00-22:00) dosing regimens. Primary metrics include stool calprotectin levels, endoscopic scoring, mucosal 5-ASA concentrations, and microbiota analysis, while incorporating chronotype assessment via actigraphy and urinary melatonin monitoring.