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In this issue, meet the alumnus whose $15 million gift is advancing sustainable energy research, learn about the program laying a path to STEM careers for local community college students, and discover how USC Dornsife is advancing Armenian studies.

Join Interim Dean Moh El-Naggar for a reception at the Computer History Museum as we explore how Dornsife scholars are shaping the world through science, technology and the humanities. Learn more >>

Enjoy a champagne brunch with fellow Trojans at the oceanfront L’Auberge Del Mar while engaging with experts Bob Shrum and Monica Morlacco about the global impact of tariffs.  Learn more >>

Take a special trip to The Huntington featuring a guided tour with Professor William Deverell, engaging conversations with PhD researchers and a chance to connect over lunch amid the stunning gardens and galleries. Learn more >>

Discover upcoming events on the Dornsife Alumni Events Calendar.

A $15 million gift to USC Dornsife’s Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute has given a major boost to clean energy research.

Why it matters: It’s a crucial time to invest in sustainable energy and carbon capture — and in training the next generation of scientists who will lead the charge against climate change.

Massoud Arvanaghi ’82 and Ferial Arvanaghi’s generosity funds three $5 million endowments to support young scientists advancing clean energy.

Massoud began studying chemistry at Iran’s Sharif University of Technology, then came to USC Dornsife for his PhD, where he joined Olah’s lab, met Prakash and contributed to research that helped earn Olah the Nobel Prize in 1994.

The bottom line: Massoud says he’s proud to honor mentors George Olah and G.K. Surya Prakash while giving back to the university.

A collaboration between USC and Cerritos College aims to help community college students break into science careers — and it’s working.

Why it matters: Hands-on lab experience gives smart, motivated learners a leg up in pursuing careers in STEM-related industries.

Richard Brutchey, professor of chemistry, founded the program in 2010 with a colleague in the Cerritos College chemistry department.

How it works: The paid internship pairs Cerritos students with USC Dornsife faculty and PhD mentors in chemistry labs.

Of note: During her internship, first-generation college student Karla Zamarripa helped develop  “quantum dots” – tiny semiconductor crystals used in high-tech displays and other advanced technologies.

Students who complete the internship have a strong track record of academic and career success.

Testimonial: “I would never even have applied to USC if I hadn’t participated in the program. The internship … helped reinforce my interest in chemistry and showed me the value of being able to do undergraduate research,” said Dornsife alumnus Jose Araujo, who went on to earn a PhD from the University of Washington.

The big picture: Support from Agilent Technologies and personal contributions from Steve and Cathy Gagliardi have proven crucial to the program’s success.

Anthropologist Hrag Papazian has been named the Turpanjian Early Career Chair in Contemporary Armenian Studies. 

Why it matters: The chair spotlights current Armenian experiences globally, expanding the traditional focus from historical preservation to active engagement with contemporary identity, politics and migration.

The big picture: The appointment underscores USC Dornsife’s growing reputation as a global hub for Armenian studies, linking scholarly research with L.A.’s Armenian community.

The new endowed chair honors the late Gerald “Jerry” Turpanjian, who graduated from USC Dornsife in 1987 and supported Armenian studies for decades.

What else? His previous contributions have facilitated the establishment of other endowed chairs, such as the Turpanjian Chair in Civil Society and Social Change currently held by Manuel Pastor, Distinguished Professor of sociology and American studies and ethnicity.

Go Deeper: April is Armenian History Month, and USC has a full lineup of events.

The USC Dornsife Celebration of Scholarship brought together donors and the students who benefited from their generosity to celebrate the impact of scholarship. Guests heard from archaeology and classics major Rylan Giorgetta, who received funding to study in Greece last summer, and longtime scholarship supporter Robert Berkes about how generosity had contributed to students’ academic experiences.

Sign-up to receive NewsRound, a weekly listing of news stories featuring USC Dornsife scholars.

“High housing prices in California are chasing out lots of working-class residents, among them immigrants.”

Manuel Pastor of sociology and American studies and ethnicity was quoted by the Los Angeles Times about the shifting immigration patterns in California.

“In 2024, California was the largest importer of goods — $509 billion, close to 30 percent from China. Texas was second with $384 billion of imports. The tariffs will likely cut down imports and raise prices in both states.”

Jonathan Aronson of international relations was quoted by Newsweek about the impacts of the Trump administration’s tariffs on California.

“There are definitely fewer palm trees being planted today than there were even 20 or 30 years ago.”

Esther Margulies of spatial sciences was quoted in The Washington Post about the future of palm trees in fire-prone Los Angeles.

Connect with alumni on the Trojan Network, a platform for networking and mentorship. You can share your experiences with fellow alumni and USC students as well as network with other alumni to support your career advancement.