Joanna Clay
Joanna Clay is a writer and multimedia producer for USC News. She’s been a reporter for The Orange County Register and Los Angeles Times community news. Reach her at joannacl@usc.edu.
Stories by Joanna Clay:
Trojan Family celebrates USC 2018 commencement; more than 17,000 receive degrees
Featured speaker Siddhartha Mukherjee — famed oncologist and Pulitzer Prize winner — offers graduates a word of advice: listen.
USC Iovine and Young Academy celebrates its first graduating class, with help from will.i.am
The musician and entrepreneur joins in the celebration of 30 problem-solver students who break the traditional mold.
Graduating senior impacts L.A. families through CHLA research, USC outreach
Lured by the opportunity to do undergraduate research at USC, Kaushik Parvathaneni has thrived. Up next: a master’s and studying medicine.
Valedictorian Rose Campion brings love of music history to neighborhood schools
She helps youngsters see the impact of music — from Beyoncé to Beethoven to the music of Botswana — on their own communities.
Community outreach inspires salutatorian Sammy Cohen to think outside the clinic
The aspiring surgeon has helped the homeless and organized outreach projects — and he’s just getting started.
Trojan’s revived interest in space opens new career path, with stops at NASA and JPL
Emilie Skoog spends her time researching extreme environments and telling young girls about careers in STEM.
Salutatorian Josie Andrews, former child actor, now makes her mark behind the camera
She played Legally Blonde’s Elle Woods on stage; now she’s producing films that make a social statement.
Physical therapy grad uses his own physical battles to fuel his career
Leukemia and a rare side effect of chemotherapy didn’t stop Brandon Hsu. Instead, they inspired him.
Students get hands-on experience with Alzheimer’s, dementia patients — and give caregivers a break
Youthcare, which recently partnered with the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, gives students valuable training while helping patients’ families.
USC Iovine and Young Academy graduate Macki Alvarez-Mena reboots her childhood business
An entrepreneur at age 12, she now looks back at her time at USC and a bright future ahead with her tote bag business.
USC Iovine and Young Academy 2018 class: Problem-solvers who break the traditional mold
They’re the first students to graduate from the academy, whose unique perspective on innovation comes from the minds of its founders, producer Jimmy Iovine and musician Andre “Dr. Dre” Young.
For senior Ben Choe, USC Iovine and Young Academy was the atypical experience he needed
The cutting-edge academy, which combines design, engineering and art skills, will see its first cohort graduate next month.
Bookworms hit USC University Park Campus for the 23rd L.A. Times Festival of Books
Thousands flock to the largest event of its kind in America, where speakers range from musician Moby to journalist Jorge Ramos.
Designing for seniors, students use ‘human-centered’ approach
Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab project tackles social issues and global problems with for-profit endeavors; this year’s focus is seniors’ unique needs.
How cellphones are killing gorillas, and other threats you didn’t know were endangering great apes
USC researchers such as primate expert Craig Stanford are working to understand how to better protect these animals, who could be gone in just 100 years.
USC students help homeless get job-ready through volunteer initiative
USC’s Joint Educational Project connects students with volunteer opportunities helping the homeless. It’s part of the university’s commitment to reducing homelessness in L.A. County.
USC social work student uses art to heal with Art Rx
Student-led initiative aims to bridge physical and emotional pain with art.
USC professor shows math is fun, even if you’re not ‘good’ at it
It’s not about being right: Neel Tiruviluamala, a popular faculty member in residence at USC Village, inspires college students to be curious.
Does flossing work? The answer, and other truths about taking care of your teeth
Experts from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC shed light on whether you should whiten, how to avoid cavities and more.
Iovine and Young Academy senior makes splash with Coachella trash cans
Jane Li’s entry in the competition, which promote awareness around global warming and sustainability, features coral-inspired art.
Nikias shares his own story and encouraging words with pupils in USC’s unique college prep program
The university president makes a surprise visit to students and families participating in the Neighborhood Academic Initiative, which helps children who live near USC get ready for college.
Do probiotics work? Answers to this and other gut-wrenching questions
The microbes in your belly can have a profound impact on many aspects of your health.
With encouragement from USC religious leaders, atheist alumna heeds her spiritual calling
At USC — with nearly 100 student religious groups — the Office of Religious Life is as diverse as the student body.
High schooler researches alongside USC pharmacologists, locks down Harvard early
STAR program lets pupils work side by side with top scientists and grad students in USC labs.