This month we unearth some of the great contributions our scholars and alumni are making to the field of Earth sciences.
In this issue, find out how important it is for Earth scientists to study more than just Earth, meet the alumnus who had a hand developing tech we use every day, learn how an Earth sciences graduate is innovating plant-based meat and be reminded about how important your support is to the next generation of thinkers and leaders.
🗓️ Also, save the date 2/29.
Have your questions about the legendary playwright William Shakespeare answered in this free online discussion. Learn More >>
NEWS
1 Big Thing: Study of Earth and Beyond
Earth scientists sometimes use their knowledge to study other planetary bodies in the solar system.
Why it matters: The expertise of Earth scientists is crucial in space exploration, offering insights into extraterrestrial conditions and aiding in the quest to answer one of humanity’s most profound questions: “Are we alone in the universe?”
W. Bruce Banerdt ’83, who dreamed of becoming an astronaut as a child, studied the Earth as a geological sciences PhD student at USC Dornsife. A fateful summer internship studying the moon kicked off a remarkable career at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
During his 45-year career at JPL, he worked on projects investigating Mars, Venus and Jupiter’s satellites.
Banerdt directed the Mars InSight Mission, which designed, built and landed a seismometer on Mars.
In his words: “The same tools we use to study Earth can be used to study other planets and, similarly, we can use the study of other planets to inform our understanding of Earth,” explains Banerdt.
Maya Yanez
, a PhD candidate in Earth sciences, studies Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, one of our solar system’s most Earth-like bodies.
Studying Titan as it is now provides insights into what Earth might have been like eons ago.
Two USC Dornsife Earth sciences alumni, Laurie Barge ’09 and Scott Perl ’19, lead JPL’s Origins and Habitability Lab, which explores the origin of life on Earth as well as if — and how — life could have started on other worlds.
NASA funds Professor of Earth sciences Frank Corsetti’s research into the evolution of life on Earth and the necessary parameters to create and sustain life.
His work supports the search for signs of life on Mars.
The bottom line:
Earth scientists bridge the gap between our planet and the cosmos. Their work, rooted in geological expertise, is crucial in deciphering the mysteries of the solar system and seeking answers to the enduring question of life beyond Earth.
Scholarships and fellowships give students research opportunities and highlight their pivotal role in expanding the horizons of human understanding and creativity.
Why it matters:
Investing in future scholars cultivates a pipeline of talent, nurturing the next generation of scientists, researchers and leaders who will drive innovation and progress in various fields.
“For that individual trainee
, fellowship experience is a critical step in their development. It allows them to learn by doing and often come up with contributions that can be really important,” explains Peter Schlegel, who established the Schlegel Family Endowed Fellowship.
Jiyoun Seo
, a PhD candidate in computational biology supported by the Schlegel Fellowship, conducts cancer research focused on detecting rare cells in lung cancer, aiming to improve early detection and treatment outcomes.
Support from the fellowship gave her access to state-of-the-art facilities to further her research.
Scholarship recipients at USC Dornsife engage in diverse academic endeavors, from social justice studies to environmental research.
In her words: “Scholarship support is crucial in allowing students to attend USC, lightening the financial burden on them and their families, and allowing them to focus and engage more in their academic pursuits,” says USC Dornsife Dean Amber D. Miller.
Alumni of USC Dornsife's Earth Sciences
program find their expertise valued in fields beyond the roles one might expect. Hyejung “Hazel” Lee, for instance, uses sophisticated experimental design skills, honed during her PhD studies, to pioneer advancements in plant-based meat alternatives at Beyond Meat.
Why it matters:
Lee’s work at Beyond Meats plays a role in bettering the environment by reducing meat consumption, thereby decreasing the significant water use and high greenhouse gas emissions linked to traditional animal farming.
Before coming to USC Dornsife, Lee spent a summer in Puerto Rico studying the global carbon cycle and the impact of storms. The work inspired her to pursue a PhD in Earth sciences, and she found her perfect fit in Professor of Earth Sciences Sarah Feakins’ lab.
While at USC Dornsife, Lee did extensive lab work with state-of-the-art-equipment, guided by Feakins and Travis Williams, professor of chemistry.
To discover clues regarding ancient climate conditions, she developed an innovative technique using genetically modified plants to analyze plant cells.
After completing her PhD, Lee joined Beyond Meats as a senior scientist to develop vegan meat alternatives.
She established and leads five labs filled with the cutting-edge equipment she used at USC Dornsife.
She conducts flavor and texture analysis to identify plant ingredients to closely match the chemical profile of animal products.
In her words: “The core skill I learned at USC Dornsife of developing new methods is useful at Beyond Meats because we’re doing something no one has done before. We’re sort of starting from scratch,” says Lee.
Why it matters: Siegel’s work contributed to wireless internet, GPS tracking, touch-screens, digital distribution of movies to theaters and preventing adverse drug interactions.
While studying mathematics
at USC Dornsife, Siegel entertained his intellectual curiosity with the diverse range of classes available to him, including Russian literature, logic and communications.
“University was wonderful, with a lot to learn. I found that I could get as much as I wanted out of my classes, whether large or small,” he says.
Siegel is passionate about music and worked as a professional musician to help pay for college. He is particularly interested in Persian music and studied under the accomplished Iranian musician Mortezâ Varzi.
In college, he was called upon to add “Middle Eastern flavor” to movie soundtracks.
He met his wife
, who is an expert in Middle Eastern dance, at a performance, and the two have performed together around the world.
During his role as a vice-president and chief technology officer at Northrop Grumman, he oversaw a $600 million annual research portfolio and managed thousands of scientists and engineers.
After retiring from Northrop Grumman in 2015, Siegel joined the faculty at USC Viterbi School of Engineering, where he now serves as the IBM Professor of Engineering Management.
Did you know? Siegel’s half-brother is actor Jack Black.
What’s next:
Siegel is helping power companies mitigate vulnerabilities in the electrical grid as well as creating protocols to help society rebound from massive power blackouts.
Microbes Shed Light on Ecosystem Recovery
Tiny organisms can tell us about the aftermath of an oil spill. One Earth scientist aims to find out just how much they have to say.
Alum’s Powerful Story Inspires Debut Novel “I became an adult at USC.” Jill Fordyce ’86 explores how adolescent moments can shape who we become in her debut novel, Belonging.
💕Valentine’s Day💕
Did you know?
💔
The real St. Valentine had nothing to do with romance. The saint is likely an amalgam of several historical figures named Valentini who were executed because of their Christian faith.
🌹
Gifting roses is probably a contemporary offshoot of a long tradition of using flowers to communicate in code, with different blooms standing in for specific emotions and desires.
💘
Cupid first appeared in Ancient Greece as Eros, a name meaning desire. He was a handsome adolescent who sparked irresistible lust with his piercing arrows.
💑
Research suggests
that the habit of using pet names for loved ones arises from the way relationships form a “mini-culture” between two people, which generates its own special language.
Valentine’s Day may be about sending cards, flowers and candy to loved ones, but its history is strange and unexpected. A USC Dornsife scholar tells the tale of murder, medieval festivals and mating birds tied to the holiday of love.
Open to all USC Dornsife alumni and undergraduate and graduate students, the
USC Dornsife Magazine Creative Writing Contest is looking for original fiction, poetry, memoirs or essays on the theme of health and well-being. The winning entry will be published in USC Dornsife’s award-winning alumni magazine this Spring. The deadline is less than a month away, entry must be received by March 15.
Attention alumni, USC Dornsife Magazine
wants to hear about your personal celebrations and professional accomplishments. Just fill out a short form to share your news with us.
Sign-up to receive News Round
, a weekly listing of news stories featuring USC Dornsife scholars.
“Comedy, for me, is my happy space, in terms of how much it holds anger; it holds sadness; it holds all these other emotions within it.”
Danzy Senna of English was interviewed by Elle about her upcoming novel, Colored Television,a dark comedy about a biracial novelist struggling to publish her novel.
“Gut-to-brain signaling is not only critical for controlling metabolism and food intake, but recent emerging findings indicate an important role for the gut in cognition and brain health as well.”
Scott Kanoski of biological sciences was quoted in WebMD about new research showing we have parallel fat and sugar-craving signal pathways from the gut to the brain.
“The specialization is drawing more women and people of color into economics, helping to change the face of a field that has long been notoriously white and male.”
Paulina Oliva of economics and spatial sciences was interviewed by The New York Times
about the rise of economists specializing in climate change.
Events
Happy Hour in Pasadena
Feb. 22, 6 - 8:30 p.m. PT
Pasadena, CA
Connect with fellow Trojans at the historic Magnolia House in Pasadena. Expand your network with professionals from various industries while enjoying craft cocktails and a global menu. Space is limited so register today! Learn more >>
Dornsife Dialogues: The Bard Unbound
Feb. 29, noon - 1 p.m. PT
Virtual
Join a free live Zoom discussion of the legendary playwright William Shakespeare to learn truths and misconceptions, and get your questions answered. Learn more >>
USC Women’s Conference 24
Mar. 1, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. PT
University Park Campus
Get inspired and empowered listening to barrier-breaking industry leaders and network with fellow Trojans at the annual USC Women’s Conference. Learn more >>
Alumni Perks
USC Dornsife on LinkedIn
Join the thriving USC Dornsife community on LinkedIn for networking opportunities, career development resources and learn about the latest USC Dornsife news. Engage in discussions, share expertise and stay connected with fellow Trojans today.
