Great Moments
Last year might be remembered for its challenges and the grief brought by COVID-19, but 2020 brought victories and memorable achievements, too. Many of USC’s faculty members earned prestigious awards, while our students were honored for their hard work and promise. Our medical center continued to be recognized for excellence, as well. Take a look at just a few of USC’s great moments from recent months below.
Two Trojans receive prestigious Schwarzman scholarship to study in Beijing
The accomplished USC duo will learn about Chinese culture and study with top professors as part of a one-year master’s program in global affairs.
Three USC Viterbi faculty named National Academy of Inventors Fellows
USC Viterbi’s Gerald Loeb, Keith Chugg and Jay Kuo have been selected as fellows of the National Academy of Inventors, the highest honor for academic inventors.
USC biological imaging innovator Scott Fraser elected to National Academy of Medicine
Provost Professor Fraser is recognized for developing technology that provides “unprecedented views of … live organisms, from embryonic development to old age.”
Andrew McMahon elected to the National Academy of Sciences
The decorated USC professor is recognized for his contributions to developmental biology.
Natalia Molina named 2020 MacArthur Fellow
The professor of American studies and ethnicity at USC Dornsife receives the prestigious fellowship in recognition of her work on race and citizenship in the U.S.
USC produces more 2020-21 Fulbright students than any other California university
Twenty-five Trojans received the prestigious grant during the 2020-21 award cycle, making USC one of the top producers of U.S. Fulbright students for the ninth straight year.
Six USC researchers named 2020 AAAS fellows
The USC professors join 40 previously selected faculty members as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Two USC Viterbi professors inducted into the National Academy of Engineering
An optimization expert who harnesses mathematics to improve industries and a leader in astronautical and systems engineering are USC Viterbi’s newest members of the academy.
Cockrell named CoSIDA Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for women’s track and field
TeeTee Terry joins Anna Cockrell as first USC track and field athletes to become CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.
USC faculty members named University Professors and Distinguished Professors
The very selective awards recognize significant accomplishments by leading scholars in their fields.
Keck Medical Center of USC named to U.S. News’ Best Hospitals list for 2020-21
The distinction places the academic medical center among the top 20 hospitals nationwide and reflects its high rankings in 11 adult specialties.
Four USC undergraduates named 2020 Goldwater Scholars
The USC Dornsife students — with majors that range from chemistry to linguistics and cognitive science — were chosen from more than 1,300 undergraduates nationwide.
Six Keck School of Medicine programs make NIH’s top 10 in research dollars
The school’s ophthalmology department is again ranked No. 1 among medical schools in the country.