Astani
The Sonny Astani Graduate Scholars’ program seeks to recruit academically strong candidates into our Civil and Environmental Engineering Master’s programs. This merit-based honor offers recipients funded positions to engage with academic research labs or industry-sponsored projects depending on Scholar preference. Additionally, Scholars will have intimate opportunities to interact with faculty, industry professionals, and alumni through exclusive networking opportunities, alumni events, and professional development seminars. Scholars will also receive priority consideration for a variety of other opportunities.
Within the over-arching Astani Graduate Scholars program is a subset of students who are recognized as Sustainability Graduate Scholars. Sustainability Graduate Scholars benefit from the same opportunities while working on funded projects focused in sustainability. The Sustainability Scholars Program is a selective initiative that provides master’s students with advanced training in sustainability science, applied research, and professional practice. Oriented toward environmental leadership, the program equips scholars with the skills and networks to address pressing sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, and mentorship. Together, these students exemplify the program’s mission: to cultivate sustainability leaders who combine scientific rigor, applied experience, and systems-level thinking. They represent a new generation of innovators—dedicated not to launching startups, but to advancing human and environmental health, protecting water and air resources, and ensuring equitable solutions for communities most at risk.
Meet Our Scholars!
2024 COHORT
Venezia Ramirez
Advisor: Dr. Jiachen Zhang
Lisa Staugaard
Advisor: Dr. Adam Simpson
Hang Wu
Advisor: Dr. Adam Smith
2025 COHORT
Anna Boyajian
Advisor: Dr. Chukwuebuka Nweke
Shakhiba Eslambolchi
Advisor: Dr. Bora Gencturk
Sharvari Rajwaday
Advisor: Dr. Ketan Savla
Maner Shi
Advisor: Dr. Kelly Sanders
Program Benefits
The program benefits include but are not limited to:
- Engagement on a project in one of the following:
- Academic research opportunities in an Astani research lab OR
- Industry sponsored project opportunities supervised by a faculty member
- Financial assistance
- $7,500/semester stipend for the duration of the masters program (maximum 4 semesters)
- Tuition scholarship
- Networking opportunities
- And more!
Note:
- Projects require 10 hours/week participation.
- The participation will include regular on-campus requirement.
- Progressive Degree Program (PDP) students are not eligible for the tuition scholarship. They are considered for the PDP scholarships.
Are you up for the challenge?
To be considered for the Fall 2026 cohort, complete the application by the deadline: January 15th.
Be sure your application includes all materials before submitting. Only completed applications will be considered.
Venezia Ramirez
"I am deeply grateful for the Astani Graduate Scholars program, which has enabled me to contribute to meaningful research at USC while expanding my skills in environmental science and data analysis. This program has empowered me to advance my education, contribute to impactful research, and continue advocating for environmental justice in my community."
Hang Wu
"Through the Astani Graduate Scholars program, I gained valuable hands-on research experience in a cutting-edge area and had the chance to connect and collaborate with outstanding faculty across different research directions in my field. It not only strengthened my professional skills but also opened doors to future career opportunities and meaningful collaborations."
Lisa Staugaard
"Being part of the Astani Scholars Program connected me to a community of driven, curious peers. I'm proud to be a part of Dr. Adam Simpson's lab as a researcher studying food disinfection byproducts. The things I’ve learned about our food supply and distribution system so far have incentivized me to be more conscientious - using AI to quickly compare brand values and ethics before making a buying decision."