What driving ambulances taught a sociologist about inequality
USC Dornsife’s Josh Seim put in nearly two years behind the wheel of an ambulance to better understand medics’ role in managing urban suffering.
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Dead tissue-removing larvae star in innovative telehealth procedure
When one of his patients developed a life-threatening amount of necrotic tissue, the co-director of Keck Medicine of USC’s limb salvage program turned to “nature’s microsurgeons.”
To be more sustainable, this USC student starts with the shirt on her back
Jasmine Sears plans to use her degree in environmental studies to help the fashion industry do more to protect the planet.
Los Angeles Times
Job hunting during the pandemic: Tips for recent graduates
Most people want to help you, says Lori Shreve Blake, USC’s senior director for alumni and student career services. If you ask for a job, you’re not going to get a response,” she says. “But if you ask for information, you’ll get that response.”
KNBC-TV
USC students leave behind a legacy with Trojan Shelter, a haven for homeless college students
Trojan Shelter in Koreatown would become a home that catered to those who had to prioritize tuition over housing. It is entirely run by students — some 60 volunteers — and it isn’t just for Trojans.
TheVerge.com
USC’s Garret Reisman on creating a new manned ship for SpaceX: ‘We really were the underdogs’
The former astronaut says the upcoming launch will be “really intense” because he knows the people onboard.
USC Annenberg
Sisters support healthcare workers and restaurants with their new nonprofit
Unable to enjoy the normal rituals that surround senior year, Nila and Emila Tavangarian decided to create a new tradition: supporting their community during the crisis
KCRW-FM
What will happen to crime rates after stay-at-home orders end? Lessons from history
Typically, as economic hardship goes up, crime does too. But USC Marshall’s Ayse Imrohoroglu notes that criminals think rationally — and right now, it’s much too risky to attempt to commit a crime.
Salon
Feeling lonely? Here’s how to make friends and feel better
Cat Moore, director of belonging at the USC Office of Religious Life, spent 24 years battling loneliness — and has some tips for all.
USCTrojans.com
Trojan Bruce Furniss inducted into Academic All-America Hall of Fame
The College Sports Information Directors of America honors the two-time Olympic gold medal swimmer, 10-time world record holder and six-time NCAA champion who helped USC win national titles in 1976 and 1977.
Los Angeles Times
What you can do to avoid getting the coronavirus at work
Wearing a face mask is extremely effective — if everyone wears one, says Paula Cannon of the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Los Angeles Daily News
L.A., Long Beach ports uncertain about peak summer season during coronavirus
USC Marshall’s Nick Vyas notes that the pandemic could forever change the global supply chain. That could be trouble for the ports, whose business relies heavily on the import of inexpensive goods from China.
Los Angeles Times
Isolation and boredom of staying at home can be harmful in their own way, experts say
Psychiatrist Steven Siegel of Keck Medicine of USC notes that we still have a lot of power over our own situation. “You can’t control the rest of the world,” he say, “but you can control what you do.”
Los Angeles Times
Trojans still atop NFL’s all-time draft pick list
With two picks in the just-completed draft (Austin Jackson and Michael Pittman Jr.), no school has had more all-time NFL draft picks than USC. The Trojans are tied with rival Notre Dame at 511 picks each.
KCRW-FM
As hunger for news goes up, revenue loss crushes local media
Without local news coverage, people have a difficult time understanding the issues that their community faces, USC Annenberg’s Gabriel Kahn notes. He says local news organizations are as important as your electricity provider or the people who repair your roads.
New master’s grad immerses herself in the science of cells
Kalya Stanten, who recently graduated with a master’s degree in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, wants to further her lab research into gene editing and cell therapy.
New flow battery could help unleash renewable energy
USC scientists may have solved the storage problem that has long slowed the spread of renewables.
USC’s Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab awards $125K in seed money for good
The lab’s Social Venture Coaching Competition seeds four USC startups and gains a wider audience — thanks to being held online.
As collective memory fades, so will our ability to prepare for the next pandemic
To avoid a crisis when the next pandemic strikes, people must recall the risks and prepare accordingly, writes a USC Dornsife philosophy doctoral candidate.
Feeling lonely? A friendly USC retiree would love to be your pen pal
A new matching system from USC’s Emeriti Center brings together Trojans from all walks of life who may feel isolated due to COVID-19 social distancing.
Two Trojans share how they’ve changed, grown and flourished in four years
We first met Sam Hardy and Hunter Harper in August 2016, the day before they moved to USC as freshmen. Now, the two new graduates talk about their journeys as they meet each other for the first time.
PhD graduate to study health disparities, including impact of COVID-19 on Puerto Rican older adults
Catherine Pérez Garcia, a first-generation college student, will continue her research on health disparities in minority populations.
Determination and grit helped this 59-year-old finally earn her master’s
Inspired by her children, Ana González never gave up. Now, she’s got her degree and years of college memories, including a memorable meeting with President Carol L. Folt.
USC Athletics posts all-time high Academic Progress Rate scores for seventh straight year
Fourteen of the university’s teams had an APR score that was above or equal to the national average for their sport.
Urban heat waves imperil L.A.’s most vulnerable communities
New USC research highlights the outsized risk for low-income communities as global warming raises temperatures and our cities become even more crowded.
Coronavirus infections more widespread than expected in L.A. County
A newly published, USC-led study has confirmed that, though many more L.A. County residents had COVID-19 antibodies than previously thought, most people have not been infected.
As a ‘farm boy’ turned master’s graduate, Xavier Hernandez III sets an example for others
Even with a bachelor’s degree from USC Viterbi and now a master’s from the USC Iovine and Young Academy, this proud Trojan still puts in his hours on the family farm.
From Buss and Ferrell to Leinart and Ling, words of wisdom for USC’s newest graduates
Check out some of the very special messages that athletes, entertainers and other members of the Trojan Family put together for the Class of 2020.
More than 19,000 graduates recognized at USC’s virtual conferring of degrees
Amid unprecedented circumstances, university leaders, students, the band and even a familiar comedic face gathered virtually to send off the Class of 2020.
Top-two and open primary elections produce less extreme lawmakers
A USC study found that changes to U.S. electoral institutions may be the best way to lessen legislative gridlock and partisan politics in Congress.
Graduating senior wants to bring about social change through marketing
International relations major India Sposato has been helping others since she was a child. Now, she wants to do so professionally.
Three graduating ROTC cadets fondly recall their time as Trojans
As they commission during a pandemic, three Air Force ROTC cadets remember what brought them to USC and look positively toward the future.
What Rainn Wilson, Eric Garcetti and Tina Knowles Lawson (Beyoncé’s mom) had to say to graduating Trojans
Best of baccalaureates: The annual nondenominational service is one of many USC traditions on hold for now, so here’s a look back at some of the unforgettable speeches from recent years.
For students worried about the coronavirus or just a rash, USC Student Health stays open
Doctors, nurses and other health professionals provide support and guidance to USC students who need medical care, both on campus and online.
Valedictorian Isabella Hauptman focuses on health in ways big and small
Since she was 11 years old, Isabella Hauptman wanted to be an epidemiologist. Now, as she prepares to graduate during the COVID-19 pandemic, USC’s 2020 valedictorian sees that field becoming more important than ever.
USC to celebrate the Class of 2020 with day of special online events Friday
Programming includes a virtual conferring of degrees, entertainment — and perhaps a few surprises. The live event starts at 9 a.m.
To test their cybercrime knowledge, USC students take witness stand in virtual courtroom
With COVID-19 cyberscams rampant, industry pros from firms worldwide watch as USC digital forensics students show their crime-fighting smarts in front of a real-life judge online.
Keck Medicine of USC gradually resumes necessary surgeries
Keck Medicine of USC is resuming services for medically necessary, time-sensitive procedures with robust safety protocols in place for patients and staff.
USC Dornsife PhD graduate feels a responsibility to others
Deeply affected as a child by the Rwandan genocide, Robert Nshimiyimana volunteers to help the underserved, works to make compounds that may reduce harmful inflammation — and hopes one day to help his home nation reach its full, unified potential.