Marc Ballon
Marc Ballon is the senior editor and managing editor for the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. He has worked in higher education for seven years. Previously, he was a journalist, including stints at Forbes, Los Angeles Times and Inc. magazine.
Stories by Marc Ballon:
Alum takes solar kits to help with Puerto Rico hurricane recovery
USC Viterbi alumnus PJ Wilson moved to Puerto Rico, advocating for renewable energy on the island.
What can be done to stem the rise of military suicides?
Two USC schools try to identify at-risk active military personnel and veterans.
Inspiring first-generation student navigates college, keeps promise she made to her parents
Milly Rodriguez assured them she would become the first in her family to graduate from college. And she’s sticking to that vow.
Two long-lost brothers, both USC Viterbi alumni, find each other — and a part of themselves
Encouraged by his daughters, a Trojan digs into his roots — and gets the most joyous surprise of his life.
National Society of Black Engineers chapter at USC named best in the nation
The national honor reflects the group’s strength in academic excellence, professional development and community outreach.
Can artificial intelligence help to detect and cure cancer?
At the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, Fei Sha will bring an expertise in AI and his commitment to collaboration to take on some of health care’s most troubling issues.
Incoming undergrad class at USC Viterbi is 44 percent female — a school record
That number is significantly higher than the national average at the school, where female engineers find balance and camaraderie.
USC’s Information Sciences Institute stays at forefront of information processing and computer technologies
As the institute nears its 45-year anniversary, key projects focus on nanoelectronics, molecular anatomy and cyberthreats.
Students create app to improve post-stroke care
The app, created by four USC Viterbi undergrads, will vie for funding at the Grand Challenge business model competition.
USC Viterbi researcher uses novel technique to battle cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
USC Viterbi’s Sangpil Yoon uses high-frequency ultrasound to deliver molecules through cells.
Renowned chemical engineer and nanomedicine pioneer joining USC
Mark E. Davis, whose work holds promise for cancer treatment, will join the faculties of USC Viterbi, Keck School of Medicine of USC and USC Dornsife this fall.
Life may get easier for glaucoma patients taking eye drops
A company named after the Greek god of healing develops an application for timed release of medication.
Artificial intelligence: Are we facing a future of robots running wild?
Two USC schools launch a new center to advance the research of AI and solve social problems ranging from climate change to homelessness.
Physical limitations don’t hold back a former USC doctoral student
Ryan Williams, a quadriplegic, lands his dream job at Virginia Tech.
In memoriam: Solomon Golomb, communications technology pioneer, 83
The legendary scholar’s work in communications helped usher in the digital age.
Viterbi Awards ceremony spotlights engineering luminaries and the school’s top startups
The event honors winners of the Maseeh Entrepreneurship Prize Competition and first Min Family Engineering Social Entrepreneurship Challenge.
Startups competition comes down to the final two
An app for pet lovers and a personalized math tutor platform will vie for the grand prize at this month’s Viterbi Awards.
Affordable glasses with lenses that need no prescription
Teams in the Min Family Engineering Social Entrepreneurship Challenge hope to boost technology through budding businesses.
Mentors provide prized friendship for protégées
The Viterbi Student-Alumni Mentoring Program pairs pupils with distinguished mentors who offer invaluable academic and professional advice.
Aspiring business builders reveal new ideas
Members of 16 startups meet their mentors at kickoff of the sixth annual Maseeh Entrepreneurship Prize Competition.
How to build a business that benefits society
A Min family gift will establish a competition to fund startups for social entrepreneurs at USC Viterbi.
Sugarcoating, no — polymer coatings, yes!
Malancha Gupta’s research could one day improve biomedical devices, textiles and membranes.
The sky is the limit for drones, which head upward from Hollywood to South Africa
Innovators devise new ways to use unmanned aircraft systems, which could create thousands of jobs over the next decade.
Brain injury startup develops concussion test
The new company leverages proprietary eye-tracking software to provide a quick and objective assessment.