Our Impact
There is no more powerful mission than truly effecting change. The USC community — faculty, students and staff — work side by side with partners in Los Angeles to solve immediate problems, creating a constellation of people and networks collaborating toward the public good. Worldwide, our efforts address global health inequities, develop leadership and research in key cultural areas, train diplomats from myriad countries and more.
Inventing Solutions
Exploring Medical Frontiers
Creating New Knowledge
Discovery, Creativity, Impact
USC is a premier research institution that provides a steady stream of new knowledge, art and technology. It has more than $1 billion in annual research expenditures, with the largest graduate program in science, engineering and health of all private research universities.
Research Highlights
From unexpected climate solutions to unearthing truths about today’s information ecosystem and more, USC researchers roll up their sleeves for the problems of today.
USC Price student wins prestigious Obama-backed Voyager Scholarship
Khris Gonzalez Pebe was awarded the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, recognizing her passion for helping others.
USC Price professor’s art combines languages and culture to tell story of Asian diaspora
Associate Professor Annette Miae Kim excels as a public policy expert and an accomplished artist.
USC Iovine and Young Academy Founders Bootcamp offers expert mentorship for aspiring entrepreneurs
The 2024 Founders Bootcamp is the kickoff event for the 2024-2025 Iovine and Young Academy Innovation Quest.
144 years old, and still fighting on
From a modest start, the university on Oct. 6 marks its 144rd birthday as one of the nation’s leading research institutions.
Art exhibition at USC East Asian Library commemorates Peking Opera legend Mei Lan-Fang
Rare photographs and historical materials bring to life Mei Lan-Fang’s legendary 1930 tour of the United States and his brief visit to USC.
Walz vs. Vance debate: USC experts available for comment
Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio GOP Sen. J.D. Vance will face off in their first scheduled debate on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Exploring hidden queer histories at the USC Fisher Museum of Art
STORY AND VIDEO: A ONE Archives exhibit running during LGBTQ+ History Month and beyond explores early role sci-fi fandom and occult interests played in creating community.
Class of 2025 main commencement ceremony to be held in the Coliseum
The ceremony is planned for Thursday, May 15, with individual school celebrations taking place the following two days.
Did you know? USC and Minnesota: Longtime collaborators
Though the two schools’ football teams haven’t met in over 14 years, the universities have collaborated on several projects and seminars since then.
Did you know? USC and Penn State — from the 1923 Rose Bowl to research partners today
Since then, the two teams have met nine times — and the two schools have partnered on multiple projects and collaborative efforts
Creative Expression
Los Angeles is considered the “Creative Capital of the World.” With six major arts schools, USC is one of the city’s driving forces for new ideas and emerging talent, playing a prominent role in the film, television, music, architecture and arts industries.
Faculty Spotlight
USC’s award-winning scholars and researchers look beyond the ordinary to bring new, much-needed insights and developments to a rapidly changing world with complex needs. Within the health and medical fields, this has translated to a wide range of breakthroughs and discoveries that affect every aspect of our daily lives.
An influential force at USC, Ellis Meng explores the intersection between technology and medicine. Meng directs the Biomedical Microsystems Laboratory, which specializes in advancing medicine using microsystems technologies. She is associate professor of biomedical and electrical engineering and chair of USC’s Women in Science and Engineering program.
Working in genetics since 1995, Marlena Fejzo’s research focuses on conditions and diseases that primarily affect women, including ovarian cancer, breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. Fejzo discovered the first genes associated with uterine fibroids, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy known as hyperemesis gravidarum. She is a science advisor and board member for the global nonprofit Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation.
Paul Aisen is founding director of the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute and professor of neurology. A distinguished Alzheimer’s researcher for over two decades, Aisen pioneers novel methodologies and extensive therapeutic trials to advance understanding of the continuum of Alzheimer’s disease, from the long pre-symptomatic phase through cognitive and functional decline.