Board of Councilors
Paula Cannon PhD

Paula Cannon, PhD, is a Distinguished Professor of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, where she leads a pioneering research team focused on viruses, stem cells, and gene therapy. A globally recognized expert in HIV research, she earned her PhD from the University of Liverpool and completed postdoctoral training at both Oxford and Harvard universities.

Dr. Cannon’s work primarily centers on advancing gene therapy approaches for HIV, including the use of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) to modify the CCR5 co-receptor in human hematopoietic stem cells—an approach being explored as a potential functional cure for AIDS. In addition, she conducts research on highly pathogenic hemorrhagic fever viruses, such as Ebola and Lassa fever.

Her research is supported by the National Institutes of Health and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Beyond her scientific contributions, Dr. Cannon plays a key leadership role at USC as Associate Director of the MESH Academy and Special Advisor to the Provost, where she helps drive innovation at the intersection of medicine, engineering, science, and health. Dr. Cannon plays a key role in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing biomedical innovation at USC.

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USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) degree program (cost of attendance) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is in Accreditation–Inactive status by ACOTE®. View our program’s ACOTE® standards public data. ACOTE® c/o the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org.

Professional program graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. Program results from the NBCOT can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.