USC Viterbi
Media Coverage

Why One Upscale Apartment Building Became at Death Trap

May 21, 2023

Bora Gencturk contributed to an interactive article focused on the collapse of an apartment complex in Turkey

Backup Power: A Growing Need

May 14, 2023

Najm Meshkati was quoted about the vulnerability of power girds

For Earth Day, Faculty Talk Sustainability Research on “Academic Minute”

Apr 21, 2023

Research by Bistra Dilkina, Thomas Petersen and Essam Heggy was featured.

Discovery of antibiotic-resistant superbugs in L.A. wastewater sparks worry

Apr 16, 2023

Adam Smith’s research was highlighted in a front-page article

Here’s What You Need To Know About That Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Found In LA Wastewater

Apr 16, 2023

Research by Adam Smith with featured.

Would better regulations and equipment mandates have prevented the Ohio rail disaster?

Mar 05, 2023

Najm Meshkati commented on the role of organizational leadership in changing safety cultures.

A pioneer in engineering diplomacy coursework

Feb 01, 2023

Najm Meshkati and USC Viterbi’s Engineering Diplomacy minor ,which incorporate environmental engineering, and industrial systems engineering, including climate risks, were highlighted.

Can 3-D Printing Help Solve the Housing Crisis?

Jan 22, 2023

The article indicates that “the idea of 3D printing a building with concrete originated with Behrokh Khoshnevis”

Ukraine’s energy grid, the target of repeated strikes, is like a network of roads

Nov 27, 2022

Najm Meshkati was quoted about the impact one part of an energy grid can have on the whole network

Universal AC access? CA’s power grid likely can’t handle it

Sep 11, 2022

Kelly Sanders was interviewed regarding the heat wave’s strain on the region–on health and energy resources

Embattled Nuclear Plant Is Cut Off From Main Power Line After Shelling

Sep 05, 2022

Najm Meshkati was interviewed about the safety of the Zaporizhzhia plant in Ukraine.

The Future of California’s Last Nuclear Power Plant

Aug 28, 2022

Najm Meshkati was quoted about the future of Diablo Canyon.

Imperiled Ukrainian nuclear power plant has the world on edge

Aug 28, 2022

Najm Meshkati contributed a piece on the potential dangers around a Ukranian nuclear power plant

Western drought is pushing the power grid to the brink

Aug 21, 2022

Kelly Sanders was interviewed about how drought and heat waves will affect energy production.

What’s in your drinking water?

Aug 21, 2022

Daniel McCurry was interviewed about the use of recycled wastewater to meet water demand.

Gas prices keep falling, but Americans still feel inflation’s bite

Aug 14, 2022

Kelly Sanders was interviewed about energy consumption trends

Newsom: California must boost water recycling, desalination

Aug 14, 2022

Daniel McCurry was interviewed about California’s water conservation and supply

Lives Not Grades Wins LA-Area Emmy

Jul 25, 2022

A filmed that featured a USC Viterbi class and was made by Daniel Druhora, Yannis Yortsos, Sonny Astani, Burcin Becerik-Gerber, David Gerber, Brad Cracchiola, Adam Smith, Rommel Villa, and Teodora Totoiu, and distributed by PBS was featured.

I Drank Recycled Sewage To Get A Taste Of SoCal’s Water Future

Jul 10, 2022

Dan McCurry was interviewed about the viability of recycled water.

In The Face of New Water Restrictions, What Else Should Be Done?

May 01, 2022

Daniel McCurry was interviewed about wastewater reclamation to augment water resources

More water restrictions are coming to Southern California

May 01, 2022

Kelly Sanders offered tips on how people can conserve water

Inglewood’s proposed $1.4-billion fix for SoFi Stadium’s traffic problems

Mar 13, 2022

Jim Moore was quoted about the environmental review process.

EXPLAINER: How dangerous was Russia’s nuclear plant strike

Mar 13, 2022

Najm Meshkati contributed a piece about the dangers surrounding nuclear plants during warfare.

A safety expert explains how warfare and nuclear power are a volatile combination

Mar 11, 2022

Najm Meshkati granted an interview on the dangers of nuclear power plants during war.

The tsunami that battered Santa Cruz highlights the threat facing California’s coast

Feb 05, 2022

Patrick Lynett was quoted about the underwater volcanic eruption near Tonga which caused a tsunami to hit the CA coast

How safe is LA’s water?

Nov 14, 2021

Daniel McCurry, assistant professor in the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was quoted on thresholds for water regulation

Make Flying Simple

Oct 31, 2021

Najm Meshkati was interviewed about safety issues surrounding pilot-free helicopters

How 3D Printing Could Help Tackle Homelessness in LA

Oct 31, 2021

dot.LA featured Berok Khoshnevis about the potential of 3D printing to tackle homelessness in LA.

The Grid Isn’t Ready for the Renewable Revolution

Oct 10, 2021

Wired featured Kelly Sanders’ research on ‘precooling’ to optimize energy usage.

Heat is Baking Cities

Oct 10, 2021

George Ban-Weiss spoke to Wired about methods to cool down cities

Texas’ efforts to fix electrical grid may not be enough to prevent future blackouts

Sep 20, 2021

Marketplace quoted Kelly Sanders on Texas’ efforts to fix electrical grid that may not be enough to prevent future blackouts.

Ways to Save Water During the Drought

Aug 22, 2021

Kelly Sanders suggested that people consider their indirect water footprint to when thinking about saving water.

How California can prepare our communities and homes for heat waves

Aug 22, 2021

Research by Kelly Sanders’ and George Ban Weiss’ labs was cited.

Amy Childress named Charter Member to EPA Science Advisory Board

Aug 06, 2021

Childress was also appointed to the EPA Drinking Water Committee.

Unlike Florida, California leaves the safety of aging high-rises largely in owners’ hands

Jul 26, 2021

Los Angeles Daily News quoted Henry Koffman on California’s strict building requirements compared to Florida.

Champlain Towers parking garage flooded often before collapse, residents and ex-worker say

Jul 18, 2021

The Washington Post featured Henry Koffman on what caused the recent collapse of a condo building in Florida.

China Denies Radiation Leak at Reactor But Admits Fuel Rod Damage

Jun 27, 2021

The New York Times quoted Najmedin Meshkati of the USC Viterbi School on possible outcomes at a nuclear reactor in China.

Opinion: Removing Metro fares will make public transit accessible, but it won’t fix bad service

Jun 27, 2021

A piece in the LA Times referenced Jim Moore’s research on L.A. Metro’s funding of rail projects.

California Dreaming: Historic Offshore Wind Project Will help Bolster State’s Economy

Jun 27, 2021

ABC7 features Kelly Sanders on the Biden Administration’s effort to open the Pacific Coast for its first offshore wind development project.

New Research Builds on USC Viterbi Study of Tsunami in Palu, Indonesia

May 18, 2021

A New Study Building on USC Viterbi Research Shows Strike-Slip Faults Can Generate Large Tsunamis

L.A. could be powered entirely by renewable energy in 25 years

Apr 19, 2021

The effort could achieve dramatic reductions in greenhouse gases without significant disruption to the economy or people’s lifestyles, according to USC research.

USC Students Travel to Greece to Develop Real-World Solutions to Refugee Crisis in World Premiere of New Documentary ‘LIVES NOT GRADES’ Presented by KCET

Apr 14, 2021

36 Young Innovators fLearn Lessons Beyond the Classroom Going Up Against “The Greatest Humanitarian Crisis Since World War II”

USC Engineering Students Help Refugees Abroad and Homeless in Los Angeles

Mar 31, 2021

Students in the Innovation in Engineering Design for Global Challenges class were featured for “Torch Tile,” which helps regulate tent temperature for those experiencing homelessness.

NOAA’s tsunami sensors went down ahead of 10th anniversary of Japan’s Tohoku disaster

Mar 16, 2021

Costas Synolakis was interviewed regarding the importance of the United States’ tsunami detection system

Why every state is vulnerable to a Texas-style power crisis

Mar 11, 2021

Kelly Sanders was quoted on how outdated infrastructure could lead to blackouts for millions of Americans.

The Mantis Shrimp Inspires a New Material—Made by Bacteria

Feb 28, 2021

New research by Qiming Wang on the use of bacteria to make materials stronger, was featured

Photosynthetic Printing Material Gets Stronger with Exposure to Light

Feb 07, 2021

3D-printing research by Qiming Wang and colleagues which was inspired by “Popeye the Sailor” was featured.

Working From Home Brings Its Own Health Perils: Survey

Jan 24, 2021

Research from CENTIENTS shows the negative physical and mental health impacts of remote work

Research Shows Sewers Could Be Key to Identifying, Stopping COVID-19 Outbreaks

Jan 24, 2021

Work by Adam Smith and colleagues to identify COVID early through wastewater was highlighted

How Working from Home Changed Us

Dec 16, 2020

After March’s stay-at-home orders took effect, USC researchers studied the impact of widespread work from home on well-being and productivity.

The Heat Gap Dividing a Major US city

Dec 13, 2020

George Ban-Weiss was interviewed about the disparity in LA as to how people experience excessive heat and are vulnerable as a result of this exposure

Working from Home Affects Health

Dec 13, 2020

New study from USC Viterbi faculty highlighted the negative impacts of working from home

Should Aliso Canyon Remain Open?

Nov 15, 2020

Najm Meshkati commented on whether the Aliso Canyon gas facility should remain open.

Triple Digit Heat in LA

Sep 24, 2020

Kelly Sanders was interviewed about how heat in Los Angeles disproportionately impacts low-income and minority residents.

How LA’s Sewers Could Be an Early Warning System for Coronavirus Outbreaks

Aug 05, 2020

Researchers believe waste water could serve as a warning sign for coronavirus outbreaks.

Scientists turn to LA wastewater to track coronavirus outbreaks

Aug 05, 2020

Published on August 5th, 2020Last updated on August 5th, 2020

Going the Distance: USC Viterbi Provides Distance Education During COVID-19

Mar 19, 2020

What Happens When All Students Become On-Line Students? Look to the Engineers.

Memo from Dean Yortsos: Facing the COVID-19 Challenge

Mar 17, 2020

Please click to view PDF

Student Advising Resources during COVID-19

Mar 17, 2020

Please visit page for more details

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Feb 28, 2020

Please visit sites.usc.edu/coronavirus for updates

USC NBSE wins major awards at regional conference

Dec 04, 2019

Fresh from its historic win last year when they brought home the trophy for National Chapter of The Year, the USC chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, or NSBE, continues to rake awards and solidify its place as one of the best student-run organizations in the nation

Researchers Use Active Shooter Simulator to Design Safer Schools

Nov 23, 2019

Research by Burcin Bercerik Gerber, Gale Lucas of USC CENTIENTS and Erroll Southers to test building features that might thwart active shooters, was featured.

Twin tunnels under the Sepulveda Pass could tame L.A. traffic

Jul 23, 2019

Henry Koffman was quoted about the importance of the Sepulveda Pass

Gulf Escalation Threatens Drinking Water

Jul 19, 2019

Najm Meshkati penned an piece on how reliance on the Persian Gulf as a water source renders millions of people vulnerable

Hot Enough For You? Cooling The Worsening Urban Heat Island

Jun 14, 2019

George Ban-Weiss was interviewed on his work tailoring high-reflectivity roofs to individual neighborhoods.

Defining the Next Frontier for Humans and Tech

Jun 13, 2019

Leading academics dissect the most critical issues related to human-building interaction to advance how people work, learn and live

“Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”

May 11, 2019

From engineering rockets that break records to solving global crisis and launching start-ups, the Class of 2019 is going places

“A Ph.D. Is Our Call to Action”

May 10, 2019

USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s 2019 Ph.D. Hooding and Awards ceremony

Metro considers new tax plan that may boost Uber, Lyft prices

Feb 26, 2019

James Moore was interviewed on how a new tax proposal by Metro may boost Uber and Lyft prices.

Metro Outlines Plans for Faster Train Service with Link Union Station

Feb 19, 2019

James Moore was quoted about the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s plan to overhaul Los Angeles’ Union Station.

Self-repairing shoes may be a reality thanks to 3D-printed rubber

Feb 06, 2019

New research by Qiming Wang was featured to create a self-healing 3D-printed rubber that could be used for shoes, tires and some robotics.

As Volcano Rumbles, Tsunami-Battered Indonesia Issues Beach Warning

Dec 24, 2018

Costas Synolakis was quoted about the recent tsunami activity in Indonesia and whether it should have been expected.

Lessons From the Paradise Fire

Dec 07, 2018

A piece by Costas Synolakis on what more could be done for natural disasters was published

Metro’s $2-billion rail line from Mid-City to the South Bay will miss its 2019 deadline

Dec 07, 2018

Henry M. Koffman was quoted about construction problems facing a $2 billion light-rail line in L.A. County.

Texas town makes the most of its ‘pre-owned’ water

Dec 07, 2018

Amy Childress was quoted about a Texas city that recycles water in a creative way.

24th Annual USC CMAA Symposium

Nov 16, 2018

The CMAA held their 24th annual symposium on November 8, featuring a panel of industry experts. This year’s event focused on “Constructing the Unconventional.”

How Researchers are Designing Smart Desks of the Future

Oct 12, 2018

Research by Burcin Becerik-Gerber on smart desks and smart buildings was highlighted

As temperatures keep trending up, ‘heat belt’ cities maneuver to stay livable

Sep 05, 2018

Prof. Ban-Weiss was quoted on the innovative ways that can keep homes cool in midst of rising temperatures.

LA is doing water better than your city. Yes, that LA

Jun 13, 2018

With climate change on the horizon, Los Angeles is rushing to pull water from surprising sources. Professor Amy Childress discusses the desalination process used to treat wastewater before it returns to the tap.

2018 Sonny Astani Department Commencement Reception

May 14, 2018

View photos of the 2018 Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Commencement Reception

Watch the Viterbi Satellite Commencement Ceremonies Streaming

May 09, 2018

Ph.D. on 5/10 at 9am PDT, Undergraduate on 5/11 at 11am PDT, Graduate on 5/11 at 3pm PDT, Computer Science Graduate on 5/11 at 6:30pm PDT

How can we keep traffic flowing during emergencies like wildfires?

Feb 11, 2018

During a a radio interview, Jim Moore suggested reverse 911 calls as a strategy to prevent traffic jams in an emergency

Are California’s smooth roads worth the extra cost?

Feb 11, 2018

Jim Moore comments on whether it is important to invest in smoother roads as California’s infrastructure ages

California bullet train cost surges by $2.8 billion

Feb 11, 2018

Jim Moore was quoted on how large public infrastructure projects are communicated to the public

Are We Running Out of Ideas?

Feb 04, 2018

The Freaknomics podcast cited Behrokh Khoshnevis “contour crafting” which can 3D print a house in 24 hours

Costs soar and cracks revealed in Oroville Dam spillway

Feb 04, 2018

Amy Rechenmacher was quoted about the strength of the Oroville Dam spillway despite existing cracks

U.S. regulator raises concerns about weights on energy pipelines

Feb 04, 2018

Najmedin Meshkati was quoted about the possible damage weights may cause on the TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone pipeline

You Might Be Breathing Cancer-Causing Toxic Metals During Your Commute

Feb 04, 2018

Research by Constantinos Sioutas colleagues that found the level of air pollution in the tunnels for the Los Angeles Red Line train were 10 times higher than the threshold set by the World Health Organization and Environmental Protection Agency was featured

Amtrak didn’t wait for system that could’ve prevented wreck

Feb 04, 2018

Najmedin Meshkati was quoted about how installing and testing a positive train control system might have prevented the fatal Amtrak crash near Seattle.

The science of tsunamis and SoCal

Feb 04, 2018

Costas Synolakis of theTsunami Research Center was interviewed about the vulnerability of Southern California to tsunami warnings all around the Pacific Ocean

25th Anniversary Celebration of Environmental Engineering at USC Viterbi

Jan 29, 2018

On January 26th, the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering celebrated the 25th anniversary of the undergraduate environmental engineering program.

USC AEC Construction Alumni Group’s First Distinguished Industry Leader Event

Jan 22, 2018

The first of a multi-event series featuring leaders from the architecture, engineering and construction industries, included Bob Card of TCG and Lou Cornell of Jacobs Engineering, facilitated by Philip Stassi, the recently retired President of Jacobs Global Buildings and Infrastructure.

USC Viterbi Media Coverage

USC Viterbi

USC Viterbi
Media Coverage