In this issue, discover why Dornsife scholars are concerned about toxic mercury in the arctic, read about USC students who broadened their horizons in Japan, learn from Trojans about America’s loneliness epidemic and explore how a recent student government election may have demonstrated the value of a less common form of voting.

Climate change is accelerating the release of mercury into the arctic environment, posing long-term health risks to communities there, and possibly globally.

Why it matters: The release of mercury from melting permafrost poses a health risk to wildlife and the 5 million people living in the Arctic.

In his words: “There could be this giant mercury bomb in the Arctic waiting to explode,” says lead researcher Josh West, professor of Earth sciences and environmental studies at USC Dornsife.

How it works: Natural atmospheric circulation moves pollutants like mercury toward high latitudes, where plants absorb it, die and become part of the frozen soil over millennia.

How they did it: USC Dornsife researchers collected sediment samples from two sites along Alaska’s Yukon River.

“To really get a handle on how much of a threat the mercury poses, we have to understand both the erosion and reburial processes,” West explains.

What they found: Mercury levels in sediment were consistent with previous studies’ higher estimates, confirming that sediment samples provide a reliable measure of environmental mercury.

What’s next? The researchers say they hope their methods will enable a more precise assessment of the “mercury bomb” in hopes it can be diffused.

Students recently immersed themselves in Japanese culture as participants in the USC Global East Asia Maymester program.

Why it matters: Traveling abroad provides deeper insights into a society and builds lasting cross-cultural connections that enrich students’ academic and professional perspectives.

Sixteen undergraduates spent two weeks in Tokyo exploring contemporary Japanese design’s role in social engagement and transformation. Activities included:

The students used these insights to inform their research projects, including:

A significant benefit of the experience was the opportunity for meaningful cultural exchanges, allowing students to forge deep, lasting connections with their peers at Tokyo’s Meiji University through shared experiences.

In his words: “Our differences drove our desire to share more about ourselves in a completely unfiltered way, devoid of judgment on both ends,” explained Maymester participant Lorenzo Hinojosa.

Go deeper: USC Dornsife’s Maymester programs features immersive learning experiences in the United States and abroad. Applications for 2025 are available now till Dec. 9.

2011

The year “the College” received its current name, the USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, in honor of the largest single gift in USC's history.

America is mired in a “loneliness epidemic,” according to the U.S. surgeon general. USC Dornsife scholars explore why.

Why it matters: Loneliness can lead to depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.

The big picture: Nearly half of Americans reported measurable loneliness, even before COVID-19 struck.

Yes, but: Former USC Director of Belonging and USC Dornsife alumna Cat Moore emphasizes that loneliness is a normal experience and warns that labeling it an epidemic may wrongly stigmatize it.

Go deeper: Declining marriage rates, more adults choosing not to have children, and the rise in solo living are reducing daily social interactions and increasing loneliness among Americans.

What else? Online dating and social media, despite their promise of  connectivity, often hinder meaningful in-person relationships and increase loneliness, says Julie Albright of the Master of Science in Applied Psychology program.

The decline in religious participation, which once offered a ready-made community, may also be fueling the rise in loneliness.

What to do? Reducing screen time and actively seeking face-to-face interactions can help.

Last year’s USC undergraduate student government (USG) election demonstrated that ranked-choice voting has the potential to empower more voters.

Why it matters: In the U.S., many voters feel that voting for a third-party candidate is useless, as it typically doesn’t impact the final outcome in a two-party system.

Ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank candidates by preference, so if their top choice doesn’t win, their vote transfers to their next choice.

In the 2023 USG election, ranked-choice voting was tested, thanks to USC Dornsife alumna Nivea Krishnan, USG’s Chief Justice at the time.

As a political science and public policy double major, Krishnan researched ranked-choice voting during her undergraduate studies.

What’s next: With ranked-choice a success last year, USG will use it in this year’s election. More than that, voters across six states will have the opportunity to accept or reject ranked-choice voting this fall, says Christian Grose, professor of political science and international relations.

Just a few more days to enter the contest. The USC Dornsife Magazine Creative Writing Contest is Open to all USC Dornsife students and is looking for original fiction, poetry, memoir or essays on the theme of “California.” Enter by Sept. 15 and win a chance to be published in the magazine!

Apply to USC’s Arts & Climate Collective (ACC) for a chance to receive $1,350 for an arts or media project about sustainability, climate or environmental justice. ACC supports a variety of forms and practices, and provides mentorship, programming and networking opportunities. Deadline: Sept. 22.

Travel along with USC Dornsife tortoise researcher Charles Lehnen to the Galapagos Islands. Learn about tortoises, their surrounding ecosystem and how Lehnen’s research could inform the study of other endangered species.

Which health hacks are worth incorporating into your daily life? USC Dornsife experts in biology and neuroscience take popular health tips to task.

Connect with a variety of employers from Fortune 100 companies, nonprofits and government agencies.

Hear about the study abroad experience from students who have participated in semester and year-long programs.

Help bridge partisan divides through guided video conversations with students from different universities who may have differing views on politics or policy issues.

Listen to experts discuss the latest polling from eight California congressional districts that could determine who controls the U.S. House of Representatives with an audience Q&A to follow.

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