Update Set hundreds of years in the future, the sentient robot WALL-E develops a personality and works with humans to save Earth. (Photo/Alamy)

Everything You Wanted to Know About AI But Were Afraid to Ask

USC experts on loving, fearing and possibly even merging with AI.

7 min readScience/Technology, Social Impact, Emerging Technology, Innovation
Building full of AI bots and computers aiding professors, students, and researchers. AI and other advanced computing technologies are transforming how USC teaches, learns and thinks in innovative ways. (Illustrations by Raymond Biesinger)

TransformAItion

From dance to linguistics, drama and law, the power and potential of AI and advanced computing are changing the academic landscape at USC.

10 min readScience/Technology, University, Emerging Technology, Faculty, Innovation
Illustration of food processing USC researcher Yolanda Gil is using AI to help farmers in Ethiopia save their country from famine. (Illustration/Raymond Biesinger) Farming Data

Seeds of Change

Artificial Intelligence will integrate and analyze diverse data and models to make farming recommendations for more bountiful harvests in Ethiopia.

7 min readScience/Technology, Social Impact, Faculty, Research, Sustainability
Illustration/infographic of garbage turning into pharmaceuticals The Great Pacific Garbage Patch consists of 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic and has been the subject of scientific research since the 1970s. (Illustrations by Matt Twombly) Plastic? Fantastic!

A Cure for Plastic Waste

At USC, researchers are turning plastic waste into materials we can use as medicine in the future.

2 min readScience/Technology, Social Impact, Environment, Faculty, Research, Sustainability
Photo of a dog-shaped robot from the Dynamic Robotics and Control Laboratory at USC Viterbi. The presumptive “George Tirebiter V” is a 26-pound robotic dog who lives in USC Viterbi Professor Quan Nguyen's Dynamic Robotics and Control Laboratory.(Photo/Damon Casarez) Dog Days

Bite On!

A robotic dog is a paws-itively worthy successor to George Tirebiter.

2 min readScience/Technology, Robotics
Illustration of doctors in an operating room using computers to assist in surgery. Together, computer scientists and clinicians are designing AI solutions to improve surgical training and create better patient outcomes. (Illustration/Cornelia Li) AI for the OR

The Perfect Stitch

Together, computer scientists and clinicians are designing AI solutions to improve surgical training and create better patient outcomes.

9 min readHealth, Science/Technology, Emerging Technology, Health Care
Chinese- and African- American woman standing in front of office bookshelves Patricia Thompson Lee ’97 began serving as a Nevada Supreme Court justice in November 2022. (Photo/Steve Marcus) Court of Appeal

Stepping Up to the Bench

Patricia Thompson Lee ’97 is a newly appointed Nevada Supreme Court justice.

3 min readAlumni
Our dream Trojan lineup includes artists new and old. (Photo/Courtesy of Pentagram) Listen Up

Fest of the Best

OK, it’s not an actual music festival — but we can dream with the help of a USC Viterbi student’s app!

1 min readArts, Trojan Marching Band, Viterbi School of Engineering
Image of a rocket with a USC logo flying towards a cancer cell by Curt Merlo USC’s connection to the White House's Cancer Moonshot is just one of the ways the university and the Keck School of Medicine are leading the charge to improve cancer treatment. (Illustration/Curt Merlo) Above and Beyond

USC, Cancer and One Daring Mission

Powered by an energized cancer-fighting ecosystem at USC, Trojan researchers aim to help the nation achieve its Cancer Moonshot

13 min readHealth, Social Impact, University, Cancer, Health Care, Research
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
Portrait of a blonde woman in front of a painting Nadine Watt is the new president of the USCAA Board of Governors. (Photo/Danny Moloshok) Lasting Legacy

Lifelong and Worldwide

Meet Nadine Watt, the new president of the USCAA Board of Governors.

3 min readAlumni Life, Alumni
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
Donald Gabard at a party Founder Donald Gabard celebrates at the 2022 USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association Scholarship Gala on April 9, 2022 at USC Town and Gown. (Photo by Will Chiang.) Three Decades of Progress

Mentoring the Next LGBTQ+ Generation

As it celebrates its 30th anniversary, the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association seeks to reach new heights.

4 min readAlumni Life, Alumni, Diversity Equity and Inclusion
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
Don Beckhart ’55 (center) is flanked by current Trojan Marching Band members (from left) Bethany Reid, Ajani Harris, Brian Mendoza and Mari Hupiu. Don Beckhart ’55 (center) is flanked by current Trojan Marching Band members (from left) Bethany Reid, Ajani Harris, Brian Mendoza and Mari Hupiu.(Photo/Gus Ruelas) Music is Life

Marching in Style 

Trojan Marching Band alum Don Beckhart ’55 gets jock jacket — seven decades later.

3 min readAlumni Life, Alumni
Illustration of healthcare professionals working in an operating room. "[Anesthetics are] very resistant to degradation; they stay in that environment for many years,” says Arash Motamed, medical director for Keck Main Perioperative Operations and Keck Medicine of USC Sustainability. (Illustration/iStock) Saving Lives, Helping the Planet

Greener Gases 

Keck Medicine of USC is curbing the environmental impacts of anesthesia in operating rooms — and saving money 

4 min readHealth, Science/Technology, Health Care, Sustainability
Hands holding a phone showing the Venmo app open Scammers have repeatedly harvested information from unwitting users and created fake profiles of Venmo customers to request money. (Illustration/Josh Cochran) Somebody's Watching Me

I Know What You Did On Venmo

A team led by USC Viterbi researchers has discovered millions of “privacy leaks” on the mobile social payments app.

11 min readScience/Technology, Social Impact, Emerging Technology, Faculty, Innovation, Research
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
Documentary production workshop participants in Cotonou, Benin. (Photo/Jean-Michel Dissard) Celluloid Diplomats

Lights, Camera … Travel!

How USC and the American Film Showcase are changing the world, one film at a time.

7 min readArts, University, Cinematic Arts, Community Outreach, Globalization
Photo of a man sitting on top of a bench at USC. It all started at USC: Michael Ausiello recalls how his days at Annenberg informed his work as a TV journalist. He is portrayed by actor Jim Parsons in the feature film "Spoiler Alert" based on his 2017 memoir. (Photo/Gus Ruelas) Reel Life

From Daily Trojan to Spoiler Alert

Michael Ausiello wrote a heartbreaking — yet darkly funny — memoir after his husband’s death. It’s now a movie starring Jim Parsons.

10 min readAlumni Life, Arts, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Illustration of a woman standing in front of a mirror holding up her nubs/hands in the reflection Injuries from a car accident resulted in the amputation of Priya Patel’s fingers and thumbs. (Illustration/David Plunkert) Digit-al Miracle

Healing Hands

After a car accident resulted in the amputation of Priya Patel’s fingers and thumbs, a historic surgical milestone performed at Keck Medicine of USC got her life back on track.

11 min readHealth, Innovation, Keck Medicine, Medicine
Illustrated image of a woman with different colored emojis above her by Weitong Mai Both Chloe and I had autistic friends in high school, and we thought that creating a product that could interpret emotions as vibrations could really help them,” Shannon Brownlee says. (Illustration/Weitong Mai) Feeling the Vibes

Good Vibrations

Seniors Shannon Brownlee and Chloe Duckworth’s startup uses software that can detect emotions from speech patterns and translate them into vibrations.

7 min readScience/Technology, Social Impact, Student Life, Research, Students
Portrait of a long-haired man sitting on the bed of a pick-up truck Artist noé olivas is the co-founder of the Crenshaw Dairy Mart art collective and gallery. (Photo/Damon Casarez) Got Art?

An Artist, a Community and a Well of Inspiration

Artist noé olivas, co-founder of the Crenshaw Dairy Mart art collective and gallery, draws on his parents’ work ethic and his USC cohort’s encouragement to bring communities together in Inglewood.

9 min readAlumni Life, Alumni, Roski School of Art and Design
Japanese American family of USC alumni view a rock garden on campus Niki Kawakami – "Us being here today, it’s a very reflective time. I used to share a lot of stories and I think that’s something that should be emphasized more, that connecting with your history, learning from the lessons and seeing how you can be better." (Photo/Damon Casarez) Peace, Love, and Rocks

‘You Feel Like You’re Connected to Something More’

USC rock garden, opened in April, creates a contemplative space for Trojan family of 1940s dental student Tadashi “Tad” Ochiai.

3 min readAlumni Life, University
Woman stands before cameras preparing for a newscast in a pink dress. Stephens stands before the camera at the White House as an intern for CBS News in July 2019. (Photo/Courtesy of Morgan Stephens) Healing from long COVID

From Student to Patient: How Keck Medicine of USC Brought Me Back to Life

Morgan Stephens was on track to a dream career in journalism—and then she got COVID.

10 min readAlumni Life, Health, Health Care, Keck Medicine
Signage of the Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow Center for International and Public Affaires Building The renamed Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow Center for International and Public Affairs Building was unveiled on April 11, 2022. (Photo/Steve Cohn) Righting History

Photos: Alum Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow is Namesake of USC Building

Renaming a landmark for historian and war chief of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation portends a new age for Trojans.

2 min readUniversity, Alumni, History
12 USC staff and alumni pose for a group photo at the Alumni Awards 2022 event. 2022 Alumni Awards winners pose with USC administrators: (Left to right) Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations Patrick E. Auerbach, Beth Petak-Aaron, Adam Goldston, Alumni Awards Co-Chair Mary Tee, Ryan Goldston, Ramona Cappello, Mike Nyeholt, Alumni Awards Co-Chair Kevork Zoryan, President Carol Folt, Mary Bono, Jules Buenabenta, President, USC Alumni Association President John Iino. (Photo/Steve Cohn) Top Trojans

Exemplary Trojans Honored at 2022 USC Alumni Awards

At the 88th annual Alumni Awards gala in April, the Trojan Family celebrated notable leaders who showcase the best of the Trojan spirit. The 2022 USC alumni awards recipients were recognized for bringing distinction to the university.

7 min readAlumni Life, Athletics, Business, University, Alumni, Awards
Who Run the World?

Changing the Playing Field

When Title IX—the landmark legislation that prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding—was signed into law in 1972, it had an immediate impact at USC.

3 min readAlumni Life, Athletics, University, Alumni, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Faculty
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
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
School of Dramatic Arts alumnus and voice actor JP Karliak poses for a photograph outside USC’s Widney Alumni House, where he worked for several years after earning a bachelor's degree in theater from the School of Dramatic Arts at USC, May 4, 2022. (Photo/Gus Ruelas) Loud and Proud

Raising Voices

Actor JP Karliak ’03 founded nonprofit Queer Vox to train LGBTQ+ voiceover actors and help them network and find mainstream roles in animation and video games.

10 min readAlumni Life, Arts, LGBTQ
The Cicada synthesizer vibrates in the same way that insects produce a loud and recognizable sound in the wild. (Photo/Federico Chiesa) Ear Bug

Cicada Creates a Buzz

Some people have a flair for playing instruments. Ho-Chun “Herbert” Chang PhD ’23 has a knack for inventing them.