USC Chan Magazine
Spring 2019
Cover Story: Double Digits
The numbers don’t lie. As of early 2019, Trojan faculty members have together amassed more than $18 million in active, federally funded research grants. Yes, the previously unprecedented figure is a vote by federal agencies in favor of USC Chan’s research excellence and expertise. But more importantly, federal dollars allow Trojan scientists to do the research today that can lead to a healthier tomorrow. Read about three new studies — funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense — that have pushed USC Chan’s research portfolio into the double digit millions.
Cover article
New Study Probes the Sensory Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ⟩
by Katharine Gammon
Researchers have known for decades that babies born to mothers who drank heavily while pregnant have differences in brain function. Now, an innovative new study will test their sensory processing.
Cover article
Designing Tomorrow’s Workstation, Today ⟩
by Jamie Wetherbe MA ’04
Interdisciplinary team funded by the National Science Foundation is using artificial intelligence in search of healthier ways to work.
Cover article
More Than a Gut Feeling ⟩
by Mike McNulty ’06, MA ’09, OTD ’10
With Department of Defense grant, USC and UCLA researchers to explore gastrointestinal bacteria’s role in autism.
Featured article
New Strategic Plan to Put Five-Year Goals into Motion ⟩
by Mike McNulty ’06, MA ’09, OTD ’10
After more than a year in development, USC Chan Strategic Plan FY 2019-23 was officially adopted in late 2018. The plan outlines six goals guiding the division’s growth, priorities and operations throughout the next five years. Beginning in early 2019, eight strategy implementation teams composed of faculty, staff and students began working to put next steps into action.
Featured article
Health Care for the Homeless ⟩
by Katharine Gammon
USC Chan’s Deborah Pitts has worked to integrate occupational therapists into agencies that help the homeless, and her efforts are now paying off in new ways.
Featured article
GenNext ⟩
Meet the Trojans — like María Cristina Jiménez MA ’20 — pushing occupational science and occupational therapy forward. (Interview by Trevor San Antonio MA ’20.)
View/download the complete issue
View/download the Spring 2019 issue of USC Chan Magazine as a PDF document (4.0MB).