University of Southern California

Ernesto Corona unearthed a museum exhibit honoring his father, a pioneering labor organizer, during his capstone project at USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. He was helping LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a Smithsonian-affiliate museum, assess its data collection practices when he discovered the exhibit. This personal connection fueled the team's dedication to the project. They identified key performance indicators (KPIs) and suggested ways to use visitor-contributed data from interactive exhibits to better communicate with donors and inform future exhibits. “When they were giving the tour, I was like, ‘Oh, this is my father. This is incredible – or fate’”, said Corona.

With Duolingo, we know AI can teach us new languages, but can it revive endangered ones? USC Viterbi School of Engineering's Jared Coleman and Professor Bhaskar Krishnamachari are leveraging AI to breathe new life into Owens Valley Paiute, an endangered Indigenous language. Their innovative approach combines rule-based translators with large language models, providing a practical tool for real-world use. “The tool is smart enough, given a few hints, to be able to do a lot of the translation on its own,” says Krishnamachari. This could be a game-changer for preserving endangered languages like Hawaiian, Welsh, and Cherokee. What other endangered languages do you think AI could help save?

USC’s Juneteenth celebration drew over 150 Trojans, commemorating the day with moving speeches, a diasporic art show, and good eats. ‘This multilayered part of history is uplifting, yet painful; transformative, yet tragic,’ said Dean Franita Tolson.

Is there more to music than just entertainment? Could the Eras Tour have deeper cognitive benefits for Swifties? 🎧 USC's recent Music, Health, and Policy workshop brought together experts like USC Thornton School of Music Dean Jason King and LA Opera soprano Renée Fleming to explore the profound impact of music on human development and well-being. The workshop highlighted research findings on nostalgic music's ability to aid memory recall in patients and discussed other significant benefits of music, such as boosting cognitive development in children. “Our goal is to go beyond generating scientific results and research and to drive meaningful changes in both education and health policy,” says event organizer Assal Habibi.

Ever wonder how climate change could affect your favorite seafood? 🐟 Latest research from USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences reveals that warming coastal waters and a dash of nitrogen can trigger toxic algal blooms. A few years ago, these blooms led to multi-million dollar losses for West Coast fisheries and caused severe health issues in humans. Understanding these triggers highlights the importance of regulating nitrogen runoff from sources like agriculture and wastewater to protect our ecosystems.

Ever been asked about your favorite undiscovered spot on campus? Discover the secret garden outside USC Fisher Museum of Art! 🌿 75 years ago, the FBI's report on communist activists led to a Hollywood blacklist. Jenny Holzer’s installation here honors these producers, directors and screenwriters who refused to answer questions about their political affiliations. 📜 Even the brightest stars knew they were at risk of losing everything they had worked for. This serene spot offers a reflective retreat. Sitting on one of the 10 benches engraved with quotes from the Hollywood Ten, USC Viterbi School of Engineering student Tam often finds peace. "It's a quiet but powerful place" he says.

Thank you to everyone that participated in this year’s USC Day of SCupport. There is still time to join us in making a difference and be part of this special event. Let's come together and make a lasting impact! 🌍 https://lnkd.in/g4XGvuN #USCDayOfSCupport #TrojansTogether ✌️

There's still time to make a difference! USC Day of SCupport is in full swing today. Wherever you are, you can still contribute to our collective impact. https://lnkd.in/g4XGvuN #USCDayOfSCupport #TrojansTogether ✌️

It's USC's Day of SCupport! In recognition of the programs, schools, students and initiatives that inspire us, Trojans worldwide are coming together to give back. Let's show the world the power of #TrojansTogether! ➡️: https://lnkd.in/gXQd-6Q9

Does hearing Taylor Swift's "Love Story" or ABBA's "Dancing Queen" take you back in time? USC researchers reveal that nostalgic music activates unique brain regions, unlocking vivid memories. This discovery could help dementia patients reconnect with their past. “Nostalgic music allows us to connect to our sense of self,” says researcher Sarah Hennessy. 🎸