Two stars are born: New documentaries feature musical theatre students
USC School of Dramatic Arts students Alana Bright and Nia Sarfo star in HBO Max’s Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020 and Netflix’s Giving Voice, respectively.
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Celebrating Black history: Trojans create art inspired by social justice
More than 100 participants of all artistic skill levels attended “Black History in the Making” and enjoyed an evening of communal expression.
Education is a bigger factor than race in desire for COVID-19 vaccine
Results from a new USC Dornsife study show that U.S. adults with higher education are significantly more likely to get a COVID-19 vaccination and to believe in the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.
Social work professor reflects family legacy in criminal justice research
Robynn Cox believes her family’s history with social justice and her desire for fairness laid the groundwork for her research career at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.
Caregivers struggle with barriers to getting COVID vaccines for elderly immigrant parents
It’s already hard enough for elderly immigrants to receive the health care they need. USC caregivers and medical experts explain how the pandemic has made it worse — and what can be done to help.
Los Angeles Times
How L.A. County can improve its vaccine distribution process
With additional supplies on the way, Felipe Osorno of Keck Medicine of USC says the state and county need to commit to equitable distribution. In an op-ed, he notes that residents of Latino, Black and poor communities are disproportionately dying from the disease compared to those who live in white, affluent communities.
The Washington Post
Reliving the Capitol trauma during impeachment, and beyond
The pain and discomfort that those trapped in the Capitol felt on Jan. 6 may linger. The experience could permanently affect their ability to do the work they were sent to Washington to do, says Professor Steve Hydon of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.
Deadline.com
USC dominates DGA Student Film Awards honoring diverse filmmakers
The Director Guild gives out 16 awards — eight in the West region and eight in the East — and USC students won all but two of the western regional honors.
NBC News
Black Lives Matter movement nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
Recognizing the movement — co-founded by Patrisse Cullors, a 2019 graduate of the USC Roski School MFA Art program — “will send a powerful message that peace is founded on equality, solidarity, and human rights,” wrote a Norwegian lawmaker.
Los Angeles Times
Why the mob thought attacking the Capitol was their ‘1776 moment’
The storming of the Capitol illustrates how the language of patriotism and revolution has been co-opted to excuse behavior that could be described as inciting an insurrection, USC Gould’s Franita Tolson writes in an op-ed.
MarketWatch.com
The U.S. is overlooking a powerful tool to loosen the COVID-19 vaccine logjam
Local pharmacies are ideally suited for the job, notes Dean Vassilios Papadopoulos of the USC School of Pharmacy. For starters, they’re convenient — and neighborhood pharmacists often already have a relationship with their customers.
Business Insider
Months after George Floyd’s death, companies are still ‘diversity washing’ instead of making actual changes
While some companies are making real progress, an op-ed from USC Marshall’s Susan Harmeling and a colleague issues a warning: Some overtures may be nothing more than slogans for an Instagram feed or cynical marketing opportunities.
U.S. News & World Report
Stressed out in lockdown, America’s young adults are overeating
Nearly half of those surveyed said they were using food to cope with the pandemic, said Tyler Mason of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. And women were more likely to be doing so.
KNBC-TV
USC will be able to conduct 100,000 COVID-19 tests per week this spring
It’s a huge jump from fall’s 5,000 tests per week. Most results will be ready on the same day as the test.
Los Angeles Daily News
L.A. County cities face a tough task if serious about own public health departments
Only a handful of L.A. County cities have their own health departments. Those that might want to set one up face an uphill battle for staff, funding, accreditation and more, says USC Price’s Howard Greenwald.
The New York Times
What’s between 30 million Americans and an eviction tsunami?
USC Price’s Gary Painter proposes that the government finance 10-year, low-interest loans so tenants can pay their accrued back rent — a program ideally subsidized and negotiated with landlords.
CNN
As COVID-19 cases surge, health care workers say PPE is still a struggle
California hospitals fared better in the beginning of the pandemic and were able to stockpile PPE early on as they watched what was unfolding in the Northeast, notes Sunny Jha of the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
USC Price School alum returns to teach workforce skills
Dan Mirakhor is using his real-world experience to help Trojans learn how to use data analytics software in health policy.
Want to unite the country? Learn to argue better
Political polarization has skyrocketed while online debate frequently devolves into childish — and sometimes dangerous — attacks. A little philosophy could help us make sense of it all, according to USC Dornsife’s Conceptual Foundations of Conflict Project.
Annenberg Inclusion Initiative releases study of representation in Netflix original productions
The streaming service generally receives high marks, though the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities rarely see themselves reflected on screen.
Looking back with Rodney Davis, the Trojan Marching Band’s first Black drum major
He led the band at two Rose Bowls and the premiere of the movie Grease. You can still see him in the “Tusk” music video. Four decades later, Rodney Davis remains beloved at USC.
USC doctor shares lessons learned about social justice and diversity at an early age
Jehni Robinson, chair of the Department of Family Medicine and associate dean of primary care at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, shares how deeply intertwined social justice is as a part of health for all.
Preventive medicine expert brings a passion for health equity to USC
Before joining USC’s Department of Preventive Medicine, Jeffrey Klausner spent decades serving public health on a global scale, specializing in infectious and sexually transmitted diseases.
USC students gather to tell the story of the African diaspora
The ambitious virtual collaboration brings together artists from across the university to share a more complete history of the African American experience.
‘Exercise hormone’ could prevent weight gain and maintain healthy muscles
Treating mice on high-fat diets with the peptide MOTS-c helped halt obesity-associated muscle atrophy, which USC scientists say could translate to muscle-wasting conditions in humans.
Eating disorders expert answers your questions
During National Eating Disorders Week, the director of USC’s eating disorders program provides some insight on your most pressing questions.
From master sergeant to master’s degree and doctorate, Shawna Hudson finds her place
Overcoming a learning disability, this South L.A. native and Air Force veteran fulfilled her dream of graduating from USC and now teaches corporate America a lesson in racial bias.
From grains to brains, USC scientist uncovers the roots of disease
Jianfu “Jeff” originally studied rice and wheat. Now he studies human neurological disorders.
USC tackles vaccination inequities with community COVID-19 vaccine clinic
Keck Medicine of USC representatives worked with community leaders, went door to door and even set up a shuttle to help unvaccinated Los Angeles residents get their first shots.
She fights hunger one USC student at a time
USC social work master’s student MaryAnn Samson helps other students apply for CalFresh benefits with a smile — and no judgment.
Mobile dental clinic keeps kids smiling through the pandemic
The clinic — operated by the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and serving thousands annually — won’t let COVID-19 cut down on care for Angelenos in need.
Researchers study economic impacts of big quake and its effects on power and communications systems
It’s the fourth U.S. Geological Survey disaster scenario that incorporates economic consequence analysis in which USC researchers have played a major role.
Risk factors for opioid relapse differ between men and women
Multiple substance use disorders were deemed a serious risk factor for men, while women who relapsed tended to suffer from withdrawal symptoms and depression, a USC study has found.
One Trojan’s journey from USC Annenberg to D.C. correspondent for ABC News
ABC News congressional correspondent Rachel Scott is using skills gained at USC to make a name for herself — and make a difference — in Washington.
Shift to online learning allows Trojan to balance biology studies with a ballet career
Gabriella Schultze has been dancing with a company in Salt Lake City by day while pursuing her USC Dornsife studies at night.
2 Trojans’ civic-minded projects win Reimagine Challenge 2020
The competition challenged students to develop proposals to help communities hardest by the pandemic or spark a global movement capable that would spur 1 million people into action.
USC center receives prestigious defense grant to study transportation in post-conflict zones
The grant of nearly $1 million to USC’s Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE) comes from the Department of Defense’s Minerva Program.
Mars rover Perseverance will look for signs of life backed by USC research
USC Dornsife’s Ken Nealson and a team of researchers helped develop SHERLOC, the ultraviolet laser technology that will probe the red planet for chemicals produced by living organisms.
6 Keck School of Medicine departments make top 10 in NIH funding nationally
The school’s ophthalmology department is again ranked No. 1 among medical schools in the country.
🎧 5 questions about space with astronaut Garrett Reisman
In an audio conversation, USC Viterbi’s Garrett Reisman answers questions about the impact of SpaceX and the infinite potential for space exploration.
Debunking the myth of legislative gridlock
Despite a reputation of suffering from partisan gridlock, Congress is still creating laws and policy, writes a USC political science professor.