Science/Technology

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
InSight mission to Mars NASA has set a new launch opportunity, beginning May 5, 2018, for the InSight mission to Mars. InSight is the first mission dedicated to investigating the deep interior of Mars. (Image/Courtesy of NASA, JPL-Caltech) Out of This World

A Trojan Takes the Helm of the Mars InSight Lander Mission

Geophysicist W. Bruce Banerdt of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab embarks on a 300-million mile journey to uncover the secrets of Mars.

3 min readAlumni Life, Science/Technology, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Alumni Life, Geology
Illustrated image of a woman talking to a baby with doctors watching by Mikyung Lee Since 2019, Lauren Klein has been researching computer science and child development at the USC Interaction Lab. She is developing an automated system to model and support infant-caregiver interactions by detecting signs of toxic stress. (Illustration/Mikyung Lee) Tech Talk

Baby Talk

Doctoral student Lauren Klein is working with a local children’s hospital to help clinicians detect signs of toxic stress in infants

7 min readScience/Technology, Social Impact, Student Life, Research, Student Life
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
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
A screenshot of the virtual reality project showing four caribou standing in a grassy field with mountains and a stream in the background The changing climate’s effect on caribou comes to life in a unique student-led project. (Photo/Courtesy of Robert Hernandez) Reality Check

Stunning Virtual Reality Project Takes You to the Arctic — and Into Climate Change

Think caribou in the arctic tundra have nothing to do with you? USC students use immersive technology to explain their urgent message for us all.

7 min readScience/Technology, Social Impact, Climate Change, Innovation, Journalism, Students, Sustainability, Virtual Reality
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
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
Jack Feinberg holds tuning forks. Professor Jack Feinberg devised simple experiments using everyday objects, like these tuning forks, to ensure USC students could continue hands-on learning from home this semester. (Photo/Pam McKniff) Special Delivery

When Physics Students Couldn’t Go to Class, This Professor Mailed Class to Them

Longtime educator Jack Feinberg came up with fun kits to ship to students so they could still do physics experiments at home. It’s in his nature.

8 min readScience/Technology, Student Life, COVID-19 Heroes, Faculty, Physics, Students