Health

lab for drug discovery in los angeles Michelson Hall is set up with areas for careful lab work, while open spaces encourage researchers to meet and share ideas. (Photo/ Gus Ruelas) The Miracle Mission

The Race to Discover New Drugs Ramps Up at USC

Academic researchers, family members and industry join forces to fight serious diseases. It’s what can happen at a place like the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience.

13 min readHealth, Science/Technology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotech, Campaign for USC, Lifespan Health, Medicine, Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, Research
Illustration of medical professionals working together Keck Medicine of USC's partnership with Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia, now known as USC Arcadia Hospital, will expand USC’s footprint as a leading provider of health care in Southern California and beyond. (Illustration/Matt Chinworth/iStock) Eastbound

Keck Medicine of USC Looks East

With the recent USC Arcadia Hospital affiliation, Keck Medicine of USC continues its tradition of innovation, growth and community partnership.

10 min readHealth, Health Care, Keck Medicine, Medicine
USC researcher John Carpten strives to decode how genes influence cancer — especially for groups hit hardest by the disease Carpten's mission is to untangle the role of biology in cancer to improve treatment — particularly to help close the gaps where Black people and other understudied, underserved populations face a greater burden of disease. (Illustration/Curt Merlo) Serving the Underserved

Decoding the “C” Word

USC researcher John Carpten strives to decode how genes influence cancer — especially for groups hit hardest by the disease

7 min readHealth, Science/Technology, Social Impact, University, Cancer, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Health Care, Medicine, Research
USC researcher Peter Kuhn possesses an unrelenting mission to improve the lives of cancer patients. In 2014, Peter Kuhn joined USC to become a founding member of the Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, a 190,000-square-foot interdisciplinary research facility wholly committed to exploring new frontiers in medicine and health. (Illustration/Curt Merlo) Beating the Odds

Finding a Cure

USC researcher Peter Kuhn possesses an unrelenting mission to improve the lives of cancer patients.

5 min readHealth, Science/Technology, Social Impact, Cancer, Faculty, Health Care, Medicine, Research
Illustration by Jason Holley of a jogger running in smog An individual's risk can be a combination of several things, and chemical pollution are high on that list. (Illustration/Jason Holley) Think Clean

Your Brain on Air Pollution

Research at USC is helping define the environment’s impact on the brain. Growing evidence links the long-term effects of dirty air to accelerated cognitive decline and dementia, and USC researchers hope to better understand environmental effects and gene-environment interactions on brain health.

11 min readHealth, Social Impact
Cities are getting hotter, and that means dire consequences for our physical and mental well-being— more so for some. Trojan experts respond with community collaboration, climate curricula and cooling strategies. Cities are getting hotter, and that means dire consequences for our physical and mental well-being— more so for some. Trojan experts respond with community collaboration, climate curricula and cooling strategies. (Illustration/Kathleen Fu) Throw Shade

Hot Enough for You? Why City Dwellers Say Yes—and What They Can Do About It

Cities are getting hotter, and that has dire consequences for our physical and mental well-being. The solutions? Community awareness and cooling strategies.

11 min readHealth, Science/Technology
At Keck Medicine of USC, keeping both organ transplant recipients and their donors healthy is all part of the plan. At Keck Medicine of USC, keeping both organ transplant recipients and their donors healthy is all part of the plan. (Illustration/Simone Noronha) Medical innovation

Living Donor Program From Keck Medicine of USC Is a Win-Win

The shortage of organs for transplants is an issue for patients. Living donors are one key. Another: Helping them get healthier to ensure successful outcomes for the donor and the patient.

7 min readHealth, Social Impact, Health Care, Innovation, Keck Medicine, Keck School of Medicine
USC alumni Manuel Carmona, Kellee O'Rourke, Angelo Reyes, Matthew Feaster and Adrienne Kung stand in an outdoor corridor at Pasadena City Hall From left: USC alumni Angelo Reyes, Manuel Carmona, Kellee O'Rourke, Matthew Feaster and Adrienne Kung helped Pasadena achieve one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the state. Their Best Shot

How USC Alumni Led Pasadena to One of California’s Highest COVID Vaccination Rates

Five Trojan public health experts share their personal stories about facing down a global health crisis.

7 min readHealth, Social Impact, Alumni, Alumni Life, Community Health, COVID-19 Heroes, Public Health
A colorful illustration of a mother, father and daughter embracing with desert plants and small animals in the foreground and a tree, a man holding a cactus, a woman and girl wearing masks, and a skeleton playing guitar in the background Muralist Paul Botello’s imagery aims to increase vaccination rates among Latinos as part of the “Stay Connected Los Angeles” public health campaign supported by USC. (Illustration/Paul Botello) An Equal Shot

Vulnerable Groups Came First in USC’s COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts

When COVID-19 hit Southern California, Keck Medicine of USC mobilized to protect the hardest-hit, highest-risk communities.

8 min readHealth, Social Impact, Community Health, COVID-19, COVID-19 Heroes, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Health Care, Medicine, Public Health
A scan of a human brain with long, thin cord-like shapes illuminated in colorful purple, blue and green patterns. A powerful 7T MRI scanner at USC can give scientists a better look at internal structures, like the corticospinal tract of our brain. (Photo/Image courtesy of Jim Stanis, Arthur W. Toga, and the USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute) Detective Work

Tech Advances That Help Doctors Find and Treat Disease Earlier Than Ever

When disease hides in the body, it takes some big ideas from scientists and doctors to illuminate it — and save lives.

12 min readHealth, Emerging Technology, Health Care, Innovation, Medicine, Neurosciences, Research
Marientine Gotsis and Christine Lelon demo Skyfarer Research assistant professor / principal investigator, Marientina Gotsis left and graduate student Christine Lelon have developed a project called Skyfarer an interactive device that helps people in wheelchairs with their physical training.(Photo/Gus Ruelas) Game Therapy

3 Ways Tech Helps Heal the Mind and Body

Mixed-reality experiences use immersive technology to help humans deal conditions ranging from injuries to PTSD.

2 min readHealth, Science/Technology, Mental Health, Video Games, Virtual Reality