Trojans clear the harbor during 40th annual Avalon Underwater Cleanup
Volunteers from USC Dornsife’s Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies help pull tons of damaging garbage from Santa Catalina Island’s historic tourist location.
Now a California state senator, alumna Sydney Kamlager advocates for social justice
The USC Dornsife graduate wants to improve the lives of Black Californians by tackling inequality, especially in criminal justice and housing.
Acclaimed Greek writer Christos Ikonomou wins USC Dornsife’s inaugural Chowdhury Prize in Literature
The college’s Department of English, with the support of the Subir and Malina Chowdhury Foundation and in collaboration with Kenyon College and the Kenyon Review, will award the $20,000 prize during a gala at USC in April.
Alumnus’ billion-dollar software company for the trade industries is inspired by his blue-collar dad
Vahe Kuzoyan built software for his father’s plumbing business. That sparked the idea for ServiceTitan, a company now valued at nearly $10 billion.
Scientists reveal where schizophrenia may originate in the brain
Researchers studying a protein that is strongly linked to the psychiatric disorder are the first to determine its function.
In memoriam: Prominent psychotherapist Constance Ahrons, 84
An emeritus professor of sociology, Ahrons helped diminish the stigma of divorce, seeking to replace pejorative language and arguing that a “good divorce” could prove more beneficial than an unhappy marriage.
Celestial inspiration: Why generations of artists, writers and filmmakers have looked to the sky
USC experts consider why our sense of wonder at the cosmos — and our desire to try to make sense of our place within it — have inspired creative work for generations.
USC faculty members offer top tips for creating a more sustainable future
Small changes — from baking and eating Brussels sprouts to installing a bidet — can make us feel good about helping shift the trajectory toward a greener future.
USC Dornsife Chemistry Department wins award to explore new methods of evaluating STEM teaching
The American Association of Universities will fund examination of how, with better evaluations, faculty could more accurately refine their undergraduate teaching methods.
Alumna survives fire and autoimmune disease, then runs a Fortune 500 company
Catherine Liang beat personal struggles — and 14,000 other applicants — to win a one-month stint as CEO of The Adecco Group, an international staffing firm.
Communication between cells plays a major role in deciding their fate
Findings from a new study could point the way to new treatments for blood diseases including cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Smoke, heat and stress: A snapshot from Southern California of life in an altered climate
The latest USC Dornsife-Union Bank LABarometer survey shows that the effects of climate change have impacted Los Angeles County residents in a variety of ways including mental health.
Professor brings academic research to life in L.A.’s underserved communities
John Wilson is working to improve the well-being of Angelenos through two USC Dornsife Public Exchange projects — one involving urban trees, the other ensuring people have enough to eat.
Undergrad journeys from the island of Tonga to USC — with a stop at the Tokyo Olympics
Noelani Day, the first Tongan from the island to swim at the Games, grew up sharing the waters around her home with humpback whales and now plans to become a physiotherapist.
USC Dornsife’s grant strategist explains how she can help junior faculty secure funding
Heidi Smith Parker helps scholars ensure funding proposals fall on receptive ears at federal agencies.
USC students uncover well-preserved skeleton in the ancient city of Pompeii
The 2,000-year-old remains of a former slave — the head still adorned with strands of hair — were discovered alongside several urns of human ashes.
New USC center focuses on issues affecting Latinx communities
The director of the Latinx and Latin American Studies Center shares how it will examine the racial, economic and social issues important to Latinx populations in Southern California and beyond.
Students tackle urgent environmental issues thanks to a new fellowship program
The new EH MATTERS fellowship gives students from underrepresented groups a chance to conduct research on environmental health and safety issues.
Climate change challenge: Terminology used by scientists confounds public
“It sounds like you’re talking over people,” said one study participant in a USC/United Nations Foundation study. Participants offered helpful suggestions for improving climate language.
What is Sharia? Islamic law shows Muslims how to live, and can be a force for progress as well as a tool of fundamentalists
Jessica Marglin, associate professor of religion and history at USC Dornsife, provides insight into an oft-misunderstood aspect of Muslim culture.
USC experts assess the situation in Afghanistan
Two USC Dornsife scholars with expertise on the region give their insights into the harrowing situation unfolding after the Taliban seized power.
Can a new type of question help make political polls more accurate?
An innovative question about people’s social circles used in USC Dornsife’s Daybreak Poll could end up being the remedy to increasingly incorrect election predictions.
Citywide sensor network aims to measure carbon dioxide and pollutant levels across L.A.
The devices installed by USC’s William Berelson will help create a detailed map of greenhouse gases and other noxious emissions in various Los Angeles neighborhoods.
How much does control of the Senate affect legislative policymaking?
Two USC Dornsife political science scholars examine a period in the 1950s when the Senate was evenly divided, nine U.S. senators died and party control flipped twice.