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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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. …
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 …
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, …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 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 …