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Guanyi Huang (Photo courtesy of Guanyi Huang); featured image for Meet USC’s CIRM Scholar Alumni: Guanyi Huang, Associate Principal Scientist at Merck

Meet USC’s CIRM Scholar Alumni: Guanyi Huang, Associate Principal Scientist at Merck

Guanyi Huang, associate principal scientist at Merck, has often found himself in the right place at the right time. The son of a middle school math teacher and computer science professor-turned-entrepreneur, Huang …

Vivian Medina (Photo courtesy of Vivian Medina); featured image for Meet USC’s CIRM Scholar Alumni: Vivian Medina, Senior Manager of Digital and Data Analytics at Takeda

Meet USC’s CIRM Scholar Alumni: Vivian Medina, Senior Manager of Digital and Data Analytics at Takeda

As the Senior Manager of Digital and Data Analytics at Takeda in Los Angeles, Vivian Medina pursues her career in science with the ultimate goal of helping people. A lifelong Angeleno whose …

Maksim Plikus; featured image for Meet USC’s CIRM Scholar Alumni: Maksim Plikus, Professor at the University of California, Irvine

Meet USC’s CIRM Scholar Alumni: Maksim Plikus, Professor at the University of California, Irvine

Maksim Plikus was still an undergraduate when he first became fascinated by the study of hair biology. His lab supervisor asked him to dissect a rat whisker, and to recombine parts of …

Yang Chai; featured image for Yang Chai named dean of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Yang Chai named dean of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

The clinician-scientist, who is the school’s associate dean of research, has been serving as interim dean. Yang Chai, associate dean of research at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, has …

Suhasni Gopalakrishnan at the Base Torres del Paine in Patagonia, Chile. (Photo by Arvind Baskaran); featured image for Meet USC’s CIRM Scholar Alumni: Suhasni Gopalakrishnan, Director at Allogene Therapeutics

Meet USC’s CIRM Scholar Alumni: Suhasni Gopalakrishnan, Director at Allogene Therapeutics

“I feel like I’m a person who goes with the flow,” said Suhasni Gopalakrishnan, Director at Allogene Therapeutics in San Francisco. Going with the flow has led Gopalakrishnan to many fascinating places. …

Noah Merin (Photo courtesy of Cedars-Sinai); featured image for Meet USC’s CIRM Scholar Alumni: Noah Merin, Assistant Professor at Cedars-Sinai

Meet USC’s CIRM Scholar Alumni: Noah Merin, Assistant Professor at Cedars-Sinai

For physician-scientist Noah Merin, the form of stem cell transplantation known as bone marrow transplantation remains the “coolest thing in medicine” and the focus of his career. “I do bone marrow transplantation …

CIRM training program alumna Suhasni Gopalakrishnan with her mentor Neil Segil at USC (Photo by Chris Shinn); featured image for USC trains biotech leaders, thanks to state stem cell funding

USC trains biotech leaders, thanks to state stem cell funding

To accelerate stem cell treatments to patients with unmet medical needs, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has always recognized the need to educate and train a scientific workforce. Since 2006, …

Catcher Salazar (Photo courtesy of Catcher Salazar); featured image for USC Dornsife undergraduates Catcher Salazar and Jason Toliao earn prestigious Goldwater scholarships

USC Dornsife undergraduates Catcher Salazar and Jason Toliao earn prestigious Goldwater scholarships

Aimed at identifying and nurturing scientific talent, the scholarships support students focused on developmental biology and pediatric neurology. The Goldwater scholarships, administered by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, …

Pink test tube (Photo by Chris Shinn); featured image for 2025–2026 Broad Collaborative Challenge Grant for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows

2025–2026 Broad Collaborative Challenge Grant for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows

To stimulate interdisciplinary and creative trainee-directed stem cell research Overview USC Stem Cell invites applications for the Broad Collaborative Challenge Grant for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows. The goal of the program …

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. (Image courtesy of Pexels); featured image for New nanoparticle weapon in the fight against cardiovascular and kidney disease

New nanoparticle weapon in the fight against cardiovascular and kidney disease

The Chung Lab has engineered a new therapeutically enhanced, naturally derived particle for powerful gene therapies to tackle our most significant health challenges. Cardiovascular disease and kidney disease are two of the …

Denis Evseenko, MD, PhD and R. Rex Parris (Photo by Jeremi Peck); featured image for R. Rex and Carrol Parris make $10 Million gift to launch USC Longevity Research Accelerator at Keck School of Medicine

R. Rex and Carrol Parris make $10 Million gift to launch USC Longevity Research Accelerator at Keck School of Medicine

Experts in engineering, gerontology and stem cell research will collaborate to find treatments for age-related conditions like osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease. Keck School of Medicine of USC will launch a new research …

Class of 2025 BME graduate Alex Kuncz holding a crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) from New Caledonia. This is one of the few gecko species that do not regenerate their tails, which allows Kuncz and his colleagues to better study which cells and processes are responsible for regeneration. (Image courtesy of Alex Kuncz); featured image for Leaping lizards! Class of 2025 grad looks to reptiles to help ACL injuries

Leaping lizards! Class of 2025 grad looks to reptiles to help ACL injuries

Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering graduating senior Alex Kuncz is studying how lizards regenerate their tails to improve orthopedic treatments. USC Viterbi graduating BME senior Alex Kuncz wants to help …

At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Joey is researching biomarkers for autism in children. (Photos courtesy of Joey Yap); featured image for Turning brainwaves into biomarkers: How a USC grad is using code to improve early autism intervention

Turning brainwaves into biomarkers: How a USC grad is using code to improve early autism intervention

After starting with Minecraft mods at 13, Joey Yap now applies his skills in signal processing to pediatric brain data and is headed to NYU for a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering. This …

At the lab bench (Photo by Chris Shinn); featured image for 2025 Call for Applications: NIH T32 PhD Fellowships in Developmental Biology, Stem Cells, and Regeneration

2025 Call for Applications: NIH T32 PhD Fellowships in Developmental Biology, Stem Cells, and Regeneration

All PhD students who are conducting research related to developmental biology, stem cell biology, and/or regenerative medicine are encouraged to apply for a training fellowship. We have two slots available for a …

USC CIRM COMPASS scholars with stem cell faculty members Senta Georgia, Francesca Mariani and Louise Menendez (Photo courtesy of Senta Georgia); featured image for Guided by COMPASS, USC undergraduates navigate stem cell research at inaugural symposium

Guided by COMPASS, USC undergraduates navigate stem cell research at inaugural symposium

Thirty undergraduates gathered to share their research at the first year-end symposium for USC CIRM COMPASS, a comprehensive two-year program designed to prepare juniors and seniors for careers in stem cell biology …

Students at the Keck School of Medicine of USC (Photo by William Vasta); featured image for Meet the nine scholarship winners in USC’s stem cell master’s program

Meet the nine scholarship winners in USC’s stem cell master’s program

This year, philanthropic giving supported scholarships for nine students in USC’s master of science (MS) program in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Launched in 2014 as one of the only programs …

(Image courtesy of iStock); featured image for USC team develops a powerful new analytical tool to advance CAR T cell therapy research

USC team develops a powerful new analytical tool to advance CAR T cell therapy research

The comprehensive analytical platform uses laser technology to analyze CAR T cells and has already revealed ways to optimize their manufacturing, including how to identify when CAR T cells are likely to …

On the left, the computer screen displays the video image and two OCT images taken during the surgery. On the right, Oghalai is collecting data while performing the surgery. (Photo by John Oghalai); featured image for An innovative approach to hearing loss: John Oghalai receives R01 grant for OCT imaging of the human inner ear

An innovative approach to hearing loss: John Oghalai receives R01 grant for OCT imaging of the human inner ear

Over 615,000 people in the United States alone are affected by Meniere’s disease, a problem of the inner ear that can lead to vertigo (dizziness) and hearing loss, and many more experience …

USC Stem Cell scientists watched the sun set over the Pacific Ocean during a Q&A with keynote speaker Aileen Anderson. (Photo by Cristy Lytal)

Getting lost in translation—the clinical kind—at USC’s stem cell retreat

At the retreat for USC’s Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, newly appointed leader Chuck Murry shared a vision as sweeping as the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean from …

Gage Crump (Photo courtesy of Gage Crump); featured image for Gage Crump receives the 2025 USC Provost Mentoring Award

Gage Crump receives the 2025 USC Provost Mentoring Award

Gage Crump, professor and vice-chair of the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, will be honored with the …