The biomedical engineer inspired by her grandfather to make a difference
Lauren Tomita with her grandfather Charles Tomita.

Class of 2025 graduate Lauren Tomita is driven to support others, taking on a student leadership role as president of the Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering. Las Vegas native Lauren Tomita arrived at USC with a deep curiosity and a desire to help others — an ambition sparked by her grandfather’s encouragement and later shaped…

How Alex Gasca went from building islands on earth to infrastructure for space
Alex Gasca in standing front of a building

Gasca recognized that the construction industry was comparatively slow to integrate new technology, and he knew he had to sharpen his skillset if he planned to enter a new field.

MASM graduate is part of a transformation in senior living
Lourdes Bustamante Headshot

With undergraduate and graduate degrees from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Lourdes Bustamante is on track to become a senior living leader.

The USC sophomore whose algorithm is helping pediatric cancer patients
Arjun-Karnwal Headshot

Arjun Karnwal, an undergraduate student in the Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, developed a software script that can significantly improve the way radiation treatments are conducted.

Four USC students receive CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Awards
Four USC students, Dutch Hansen (top left), Aryan Gulati (top right), Hao Jiang (bottom left) and Ryan Wang (bottom right)

The CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award is one of the most prestigious recognitions for undergraduate computing research in North America. The award spotlights students who demonstrate exceptional potential in computing research fields.

USC Dornsife honors scholars with 2024 Communicator of the Year Award
Student headshots

The prestigious award recognizes individuals who excel as “public scholars,” sharing their expertise to benefit society.

Marine microbiologist awarded prestigious Sloan Research Fellowship
Julia Schwartzman Headshot

USC Dornsife scholar Julia Schwartzman joins a select group of science luminaries that includes nearly 60 Nobel laureates.

When words fail, she just builds
Elisa McCormick

“I have really bad dyslexia,” she said, “and have struggled with that for a long time – ever since elementary school. Words don’t do a good job of conveying anything, really. And so I’ve kind of switched to physical things because I feel like I can convey and understand a lot more from looking, feeling and making.”

Alumni providing care and pursuing change
three profile photos

Three USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology master’s graduates use their expertise and leadership not only to care for older adults but also to advocate for better aging policies.

An unforgettable moment
Andrea Woywitka

Andrea Woywitka DDS ’26 has earned the top Friends of Dentistry Scholarship — an award of $50,000 that will help her realize her dreams of giving back to underserved populations.