In this issue, find out how a professor is getting a true view of the destruction caused by the war in Ukraine, discover how an alumna’s history degree aids her career in genealogy, learn tips to develop healthier social media habits and hear about USC’s new game-changing quantum computing partnership.
🗓️ Save the date: 3/29. Examine the future of NATO and have your questions answered by top experts during this free online discussion. Learn More >>
NEWS
1 Big Thing: Cutting Through the Fog of War
A USC Dornsife Earth scientist used publicly available satellite and military intelligence data to visualize the destruction in Ukraine resulting from the war with Russia.
Why it matters: The methods developed by the researchers enable anyone with the appropriate technical expertise to analyze public data and gain a true, unbiased understanding of a conflict’s impact, free of misinformation.
Social mediahas generated a wealth of detailed online information about the war in Ukraine, with an active community documenting aspects like troop movements and infrastructure damage.
Sylvain Barbot of Earth sciences and a team of researchers used this information, along with satellite data, to track the war.
The team tracked the battles of Rubizhne, Severodonetsk and Lysychansk from March to July 2022.
They also tracked battles in Bakhmut, which began in May 2022 and ended one year later when the city was completely decimated.
In his words: “After they’ve bombarded enough stuff, the front line begins to move to the west and the Russian army advances through the crumbles. … It looks like cancer spreading throughout the body,” says Barbot.
Using satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR), researchers followed the destruction of cities and how military tactics evolve over time.
SAR uses electromagnetic waves and records the signal reflected back from Earth, regardless of sunlight and clouds.
The radar normally is used to monitor natural disasters but is equally adept at evaluating the damage of war.
Of note: Tracking the conflict with SAR revealed that other forms of open-source intelligence data weren’t always reliable.
For instance, SAR revealed fighting in Lysychansk that other forms of intelligence data missed.
Images captured by a satellite that is sensitive to artificial light gave the researchers a somber view of the conflict’s impact on the daily lives of Ukrainians.
“We looked at all of Eastern Europe and you can see those lights you’re familiar with, except an entire country is completely black — all of Ukraine was dark,” Barbot said. “You could see from space an entire country shutting down.”
To uncover family histories as a genealogist for Ancestry.com, USC Dornsife alumna Christina Copland ʼ18 uses her skills as a historian.
Why it matters: The skills gained through a history degree, such as the ability to contextualize how people lived in the past and accurately interpret primary (original) documents, can set the stage for a variety of rewarding careers.
Copland, who grew up in England, has had a long-time fascination with American politics and developed a particular interest in the influence of fundamental Christianity while working on her master’s degree in modern history at York University.
Her studies brought herto LA, where she met USC Dornsife history professor William Deverell, who encouraged her to earn a PhD in history at USC.
Nearing graduation, Copland delved into her own family history and quickly became captivated by genealogy, wondering how she could turn it into a career.
She turned to LinkedIn to find members of the Trojan family who worked at Ancestry.com, which led to an informational interview and eventually employment.
In her words: “At the interview, I sold myself as a candidate who was trained as a historian who could very quickly learn the specific skills I needed for that role. I think it was a good sales pitch,” said Copland.
As a professional genealogist at Ancestry.com, Copland helps clients build their family trees and overcome obstacles in genealogical research.
She also worked on celebrity genealogical projects for TV shows like NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?
Word of advice: For those interested in a career in genealogy, Copland advises people to begin by researching their own family history.
The strategies social media companies use to keep users engaged may have negative consequences. USC Dornsife scholars provide guidance to foster a healthier relationship with social media.
Why it matters: The negative effects of apps such as Instagram and YouTube, particularly on young adults, are increasingly raising concerns among experts.
A powerful tactic called “random reinforcement,” the same strategy used in slot machines, keeps users scrolling endlessly.
Controversial posts generate the most engagement, so apps prioritize them in feeds, often causing harmful or false content to be amplified.
The solution: As many individuals try to reduce their personal or family usage on their own, the experts offer helpful tips.
Create barriers to entry: Turn off notifications, hide or delete social media apps, place the phone in a different room or use a lock box with a timer, and switch to an old-fashioned alarm clock to keep phones out of the bedroom.
Make a healthy swap: Try replacing social media apps with something more productive, like a language-learning app.
Model restraint: Parents can avoid scrolling online for hours while their children are present.
Set aside sacred spaces: Avoid using phones during meals or social gatherings with others.
In her words: “The research shows that if you even have a phone on the table, it’s like a drug. Part of your attention is on that phone and you’re not really paying attention to those around you,” says Albright.
USC has partnered with IBM to enhance quantum computing research and education, establishing the West Coast’s first IBM Quantum Innovation Center and bolstering USC’s role as a leader in quantum technology training.
The agreement accelerates efforts to achieve the research and education objectives of USC President Carol Folt’s Frontiers of Computing “moonshot,” which supports ethical advancement of artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing and other areas.
Why it matters: The partnership offers students and faculty unparalleled access to advanced quantum systems for research and learning.
“The new IBM Quantum Innovation Center at USC will be a pillar in our ability to do cutting-edge research … and to train future scientists who will be making exciting discoveries,” said Daniel Lidar, director of the USC Center for Quantum Information Science and Technology and professor of chemistry and physics and astronomy at USC Dornsife.
The big picture: Quantum computers have the potential to significantly outperform traditional computers, especially in complex fields like drug discovery, energy-efficient electronics and advanced machine learning.
Large scale quantum computers are also expected to consume far less energy than classical supercomputers.
In her words: “The remarkable innovation that underpins quantum computing is the result of decades of knowledge exchange between industry leaders like IBM and academic researchers at universities like USC,” said USC Dornsife Dean Amber Miller.
Future technology and research careers are expected to center around quantum computing, and USC is positioned to meet this growing demand.
A report by McKinsey & Co. noted that annual quantum technology startup investments hit $2.35 billion recently and the quantum technology sector could reach $106 billion by 2040.
“This resource positions our doctoral students and postdocs in math, physics, chemistry and computational biology at the leading edge in designing algorithms to tackle hard computational problems in each of these disciplines in totally new ways,” says Stephen Bradforth, senior advisor to the dean for research strategy and development at USC Dornsife.
There are many myths associated with St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. But Patrick’s own writings and early biographies reveal some surprising facts.
The Irish government declared a national holiday for another patron saint of Ireland, St. Brigid. Born in Ireland around 450 AD, Brigid is particularly remembered for her compassionate nature.
Announcements
Last Call for Writing Contest
Open to all USC Dornsife alumni, 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. All entries must be received by March 15.
USC Dornsife Dean Amber Miller highlights how the groundbreaking research and forward-thinking initiatives developed at USC Dornsife will shape the future and reshape the public’s view of research universities.
The Oscar-winning filmAmerican Fiction was adapted from Erasure, a novel written by USC Dornsife Professor of English Percival Everett. Hear him discuss the inspiration behind his book and his reaction to Oscars buzz.
Sign-up to receive News Round, a weekly listing of news stories featuring USC Dornsife scholars.
“We felt like we needed to bring dignity and personhood and individuality back to all these people. The best way we thought we could do that was to give them their names back.”
Duncan Ryūken Williams of religion, American studies and ethnicity, and East Asian languages and cultures was interviewed by The Press Democrat about the monument honoring Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II.
“Far from being composed of sharp ruptures, revolutionary change in the 18th and 19th centuries was a generational affair. The revolutionary transformations demanded a long and difficult apprenticeship in the practice of mass politics.”
Nathan Perl-Rosenthal of history, spatial sciences, French and Italian wrote an article for The Atlantic about revolutions.
“This is a solid scientific project that will — hopefully — advance our understanding of the effects of nature versus nurture in defining the kelp temperature resilience.”
Sergey Nuzhdin of biological sciences was interviewed by The Wall Street Journal about a study sequencing the genome of kelp.
Events
2024 Delta Murphy Lecture
Mar. 25, 5 - 8 p.m. PT
Los Angeles, CA
Ed Yong, Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist and bestselling author, takes us behind the scenes of his latest book and shares how storytelling can inspire climate action. Learn more >>
NATO at 75: Future of the Alliance
Mar. 29, noon - 1 p.m. PT
Virtual
At this live streaming event, USC Dornsife experts examine NATO’s evolution from a Cold War bulwark to its current role — and answer your questions. Learn more >>
Washington DC Happy Hour
Apr. 4, 6 - 8:30 p.m. ET
Washington, D.C.
Connect with fellow Trojans to expand your network and create lasting relationships at the ultimate mini-golf bar destination. Enjoy upscale bar bites, craft cocktails and an indoor mini-golf course. Learn more >>
An Encore at the Grammys
Apr. 11, 6 - 8 p.m. PT
Los Angeles, CA
Join Dean Amber D. Miller in an exclusive after-hours experience at the Grammy Museum. Attend a rooftop reception with hosted drinks and hors d’oeuvres to celebrate our shared journey and the limitless possibilities ahead. Learn more >>
Alumni Perks
Campus Dining Discount
While visiting campus, enjoy a 10% savings at select on-campus dining locations. Just show your USC Alumni Association membership card.
