More than a year after the Palisades and Eaton fires, many L.A. residents still have questions about the safety of their soil and coastal waters. A new report from our Public Exchange CLEAN project draws on more than 6K soil samples and 900 seawater samples to offer clearer answers. bit.ly/4cnRC8q

USC research has answers for communities rebuilding after fires

Study examined Palisades, Eaton fires, environmental contamination.

today.usc.edu

The pathogens our ancestors encountered thousands of years ago may still shape how our bodies respond to disease today. A USC Dornsife-led study traced the evolution of four immune-system genes and identified rare variants associated with severe COVID-19. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

Evolution may explain why some develop more severe COVID-19

Combining evolutionary genetics with infectious disease research may reveal why one disease can affect different people in different ways

dornsife.usc.edu

A memorable meal may begin in the stomach as well as the brain. USC Dornsife biologists found that nutrients in food trigger gut signals that activate the brain’s memory system: dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

How the stomach helps the brain form memories

A newly discovered gut-brain connection turns meals into memories, and may offer novel ways to protect cognitive health.

dornsife.usc.edu

Mexico is one of the United States’ most important — and most misunderstood — partners. The two countries don’t just trade; they produce goods together. What do rising tensions mean for the relationship, and why should Americans care? Prof. Pamela Starr explains: dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

What rising tensions with Mexico mean for the US

As U.S. pressure on Mexico rises, USC Dornsife political scientist Pamela Starr explains common why the U.S.-Mexico relationship matters

dornsife.usc.edu

Few people know that after World War II, ordinary Americans went undercover to infiltrate Nazi and fascist groups, intercept terror plots and help prevent attacks on churches and synagogues. Prof. Steve Ross uncovers their remarkable story: dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

The secret war waged by ordinary Americans against hate

USC Dornsife historian Steve Ross uncovers the forgotten story of civilian spies who fought postwar Nazi and white supremacist groups

dornsife.usc.edu

Congratulations to Yu Deng, recipient of a 2026 Fields Medal, one of mathematics’ highest honors. The award recognizes work he carried out while on the USC Dornsife faculty, advancing fundamental questions in mathematics and mathematical physics. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

2026 Fields Medal honors math research conducted at USC Dornsife

Yu Deng, now at the University of Chicago, is recognized for mathematics studies he carried out during his years on the USC Dornsife faculty

dornsife.usc.edu

Museums, archives, and historic sites do more than preserve the past. They help communities understand how that past continues to shape the present. USC Dornsife historian Bill Deverell and his co-authors explain why protecting public history is essential. www.zocalopublicsquare.org/in-defense-o...

In Defense of Public History | Essay

Four Scholars Refute the Attacks on the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig

zocalopublicsquare.org

National climate assessments should pair evidence about climate risks with practical guidance for making better decisions, says a USC Dornsife environmental policy expert. Doing so requires credible, science-based leadership. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

Wielicki as lead won't help the broken National Climate Assessment

Communities and businesses really need information they can act on, with examples of what’s worked elsewhere and why — and what fails

dornsife.usc.edu

What does putting a living president on U.S. currency say about a country? A USC Dornsife political scientist examines how other nations use currency to project political power—and why the U.S. has long taken a different approach. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

Featuring Trump on US coins and bills would put America in rare company

A professor of international relations counted sitting leaders on world banknotes and coins, and almost every one is a king or a queen

dornsife.usc.edu

Could what you do while sitting affect your brain health as much as how long you sit? A USC Dornsife-led study found that adults who watched TV very often in midlife later had smaller volumes in brain regions involved in memory, vision and decision-making. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

Heavy TV watching associated with smaller brain structures

Reduced volume was found in areas of the brain connected to memory formation, indicating a potential link between TV watching and higher dementia risk.

dornsife.usc.edu

Why is it sometimes hard to feel grateful to someone who helped you? A USC Dornsife philosopher explains how gratitude gets complicated when we question motives, take help for granted or feel conflicted about the relationship. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

How to be grateful to someone – even when you don’t want to

Struggling to find your sense of gratitude? Try thinking differently about what caused the person’s actions.

dornsife.usc.edu

Venus is farther from the Sun than Mercury — but it’s still the hottest planet in our solar system. How does that work? 🪐 A USC Dornsife astronomer explains why Venus is hot enough to melt lead. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

Why is Venus hotter than Mercury, when Mercury is closer to the Sun?

An astronomer explains how a runaway greenhouse effect has made the surface temperature of Venus hot enough to melt lead.

dornsife.usc.edu

Join ICW's Bill Deverell in conversation with Alice Baumgartner about her book, South to Freedom: Runaway Slaves to Mexico and the Road to the Civil War on July 14. Tickets: event.pasadenaplayhouse.org/WcNANa

Extreme heat makes urban shade more important than ever. A new AI tool from our spatial science researchers uses free aerial imagery to help cities map tree canopy and target investments where they’re needed most. We've made the research, code and model freely available online. bit.ly/4vhHHb9

USC researchers develop AI tool to help map urban tree canopy

Tool uses free aerial imagery, gives cities affordable way to target planting.

today.usc.edu

We know that when a community faces an environmental crisis, research has to move quickly. Following the Boyle Heights warehouse fire, our Public Exchange CLEAN project began providing free rapid-response soil testing for lead and other heavy metals. www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/b...

USC is offering free soil testing amid Boyle Heights pollution concerns

Concerns of water contamination and air quality were raised during a days-long fire at a Boyle Heights warehouse, but what about other pollutants?

nbclosangeles.com

Excited to announce a new academic credential at USC @dornsife.usc.edu Intensives 12 units / document skills that are valuable to you & employers Our first three: 📊Survey Design and Analysis ✍️Writing and Responsible AI 🧬AI for Molecular Biology dornsife.usc.edu/intensives/

Dornsife Intensives - USC Dornsife

University of Southern California

dornsife.usc.edu

new pod: HOW FATHERHOOD CHANGES MEN'S BRAINS I talked to @darbysaxbe.bsky.social about: - how men tripled childcare time since 1960s - why women still dominate (ie: men don't do) "invisible labor" and "mental load" - the neuroscience of becoming dad www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDbB...

How Modern Fatherhood Is Changing Men’s Brains | Plain English

YouTube video by Plain English with Derek Thompson

youtube.com

Here is a piece I co-authored with sociologist Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo, based on our conversations with detained men in a New Mexico ICE detention center. www.zocalopublicsquare.org/this-is-life...

This Is Life in ICE Detention | Essay

Uncertainty. Fear. Boredom. Time in These Facilities Is Worse Than Prison

zocalopublicsquare.org

Public scholarship matters. Congrats to our Communicators of the Year: David Ulin, Robert English, Karen Lloyd, Carly Kenkel & Jackson Trager. They share expertise far beyond campus, on topics from politics and climate change to wealth inequality, literature & unusual life. bit.ly/3RN8sX0

USC Dornsife honors 2025 Communicators of the Year

5 USC Dornsife scholars — including faculty members and a PhD candidate — recognized for exceptional public engagement

bit.ly

Congratulations to the faculty and staff award recipients, honored at our Spring Awards Luncheon. They all reflect the excellence, dedication and service that make USC Dornsife such an extraordinary place. Fight On! ✌️https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/exceptional-faculty-staff-recognized-2026/

They designed, tested, calculated, collaborated and competed — all before heading back to middle and high school. California just hosted the Science Olympiad Tournament for the first time, and @usc.edu was the stage, welcoming more than 2,000 of the nation's top young #STEM students. bit.ly/4nVgxVD

Our alumni magazine has won a Bronze Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America, one of the communication field’s highest honors. The award honors our holistic approach to storytelling, including digital editions, video, social media, live events and public forums. bit.ly/4urw41M

USC Dornsife Magazine honored with PRSA Bronze Anvil

PRSA recognized the magazine’s storytelling strategy, which extends beyond print through video, social media and live events

bit.ly

Proud to share our latest paper led by PhD student Olti Myrtaj ➡️ Why did the Milky Way evolve in three kinematic phases? arxiv.org/abs/2605.22806

The next generation of scientists and engineers is coming to @usc.edu More than 2,000 K–12 students arrive tomorrow for the 42nd annual Science Olympiad National Tournament. We’re proud to help welcome them to campus. ✌️ today.usc.edu/top-k-12-stu...

Top K-12 students to compete in Science Olympiad at USC

More than 2,000 students will attend the 42nd annual National Tournament.

today.usc.edu

I have a new essay up today on how the brain changes with second-time motherhood, featuring research by the @pregnancybrainlab.bsky.social

One of our newest economics graduates is headed to the world final of a global innovation competition. Darnell Adler was named one of three U.S. winners of Red Bull Basement for Lifeline AI, his personal safety startup. We’re cheering you on, Darnell. Fight On! ✌️ dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

USC grad wins US Red Bull competition, heads to world final

Darnell Adler, who studied economics at USC Dornsife, is one of three to win Red Bull Basement, a competition for student innovators.

dornsife.usc.edu

Still celebrating our Class of 2026. Our newest undergraduate alumni represent 46 countries and all 50 states, with psychology, economics and human biology among the most popular majors. Congratulations again, graduates. Fight On! ✌️

The smiles say it all. Today, we celebrated 2,700+ USC Dornsife graduates as they crossed the stage, cheered on by the people who helped them get here. Congratulations, Trojans. We’re so proud of you. Fight On! ✌️

Congratulations to our 368 outstanding new doctoral graduates! Their scholarship reflects the breadth of USC Dornsife, from chemistry and neuroscience to creative writing and economics. We're proud of you, Trojans. Fight On! ✌️

"USC didn't give me empathy; it gave me the chance to live it." For graduating senior Taylor Renneker, that meant studying stem cells at the @keckschoolusc.bsky.social, working with patients at a safety net hospital & leading respiratory health outreach on campus. Congrats, Taylor!✌ bit.ly/4nqlEge

Health challenges fuel two graduating seniors’ passion for medicine

USC Dornsife graduates head to medical school, driven by research, service and their own experiences with childhood illness

dornsife.usc.edu