Headshot of Jennifer Tsui, PhD
Headshot of Casey O'Connell, MD
Headshot of Bodour Salhia, PhD
Congratulations to USC Norris members Drs. Jennifer Tsui, Casey O'Connell, and Bodour Salhia, who were promoted to full professors in their respective departments. This accomplishment speaks to the quality of their work and leadership. We are so proud of you!
A person hands a reusable bag to another person under a canopy in a park. The scene includes a line of people waiting and a playground in the background.
A group of people standing in a line on a grassy area under trees. Some are holding bags or strollers. The background shows a row of buildings and more trees. The sky is clear and sunny.
A group of people are gathered outdoors on a grassy area under a large tree. In the background, there's a playground with blue and red structures. Some individuals are near red wagons, and there's a small open tent with tables. The sky is clear.
Our USC cancer wellness Hub pop up recently shared cancer-related educational materials with 108 community members at Oak View Family Resource Center in Huntington Beach, CA. Our team had meaningful conversations with community members whose lives have been touched by cancer.
Join us Feb 11 at 1PM PT for "Turning 'No' into Opportunity" with Joel Sanchez Mendez & Dr. Mariana Stern. We'll discuss understanding why cancer patients decline research & how to close disparity gaps. All welcome!
Register here: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95981274911
A person is standing at a table covered with a red cloth, engaging with another individual. The table has cancer-related materials in English, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese. Bicycles are parked in the background.
A person is interacting with another at a booth with brochures and informational materials. The booth has a banner for "Lazarex Cancer Wellness." A stand displays more information on the side.
Our USC Norris/Lazarex Cancer Wellness HUB team collaborated with the Anderson Munger Family YMCA and a community food drive to support families with nutritious food and vital cancer resources, demonstrating the power of culturally aware outreach in strengthening community health.
Scientist presenting data to two junior faculty in a laboratory setting.
We’re pleased to share that a publication by Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz and Dr. Karam Ashouri, titled “Clinical and molecular characterization of AXL in colorectal cancer,” was selected as a highlight in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer(@jitcancer).
https://jitc.bmj.com/content/13/12/e013186.
Three lab technicians in white coats are engaged in a discussion in a laboratory. One is examining a blue liquid in a flask, another is smiling and talking, and the third is listening attentively. They are surrounded by various lab equipment and bottles.
Dr. Amy Lee and her team identified a surface protein that helps triple-negative breast cancer cells move and spread.
Blocking it caused the cells to lose mobility and change shape, revealing a potential new treatment target for this cancer.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-33441-5
Headshot of Alexandra Sleight, MPH, PhD.
Congrats to Dr. Alix Sleight who recently received the Roster of Fellows Award from American Occupational Therapy Association. This award recognizes occupational therapists who've made significant, long-term contributions to the profession through their expertise, leadership, advocacy, and service.
Person receiving a bag of groceries from a volunteer at a food distribution event.
A person receives a bag of groceries from a volunteer at an outdoor food distribution event under clear blue skies, with a palm tree and a mountain in the background.
People distributed 300 "caldo de pollo" kits to families facing food insecurity.shopping at outdoor market.
Person distributing food packages at a community event under clear skies.
Last Saturday, the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention, working with Universal Community Health Center, distributed 300 'caldo de pollo' kits to families facing food insecurity and delivered food to 26 patients who could not attend in person to ensure access. Check out some highlights!
Two individuals in a laboratory setting, one wearing a white lab coat.
A person leaning on a lab bench in a chemistry laboratory, surrounded by glassware and equipment.
Congratulations to our USC Norris members Drs. Heinz-Josef Lenz and Valter Longo, who have been recognized as highly cited researchers by Clarivate. Highly Cited Researchers demonstrate significant and broad influence in their field(s) of research.
As you age, your risk of developing certain types of cancer increases. A medical oncologist explains what cancers older adults should be screened for, when to start routine screenings, and possibly when to stop.
https://www.keckmedicine.org/blog/what-cancer-screenings-should-older-adults-get/
Drs. Yali Dou and Keyue Shen are uncovering how leukemia cells rewire their metabolism under stress, data that could become predictive biomarkers for therapy response. Their work may help clinicians personalize AML treatment earlier and more precisely. https://bit.ly/49s9g9W
People attending an outdoor holiday market with festive decorations and a vendor dressed in a holiday-themed outfit.
Four individuals smiling in front of a collection of bicycles at a community event taking place in the evening.
A family is posing with Santa Claus in a festive holiday setting decorated with Christmas trees, presents, and oversized candies.
Community members engaging in holiday crafts at a decorated table during a festive event.
This holiday season, our COE staff came together to spread joy, care, and community across East Los Angeles. Our team was proud to support more than 850 families and community members.
The holidays can be especially challenging if you’re living with a serious illness like cancer. Discover helpful strategies that can help you make the most of the holidays during a difficult time.
https://www.keckmedicine.org/blog/coping-with-cancer-during-the-holidays/
Four people smiling at the camera in front of the entrance to "RJ" Christmas tree lot, with clear skies above.
Happy Holidays from Ralph Lauren. Image features a vintage red pickup truck with the 'RL' logo on its door, parked in front of snowy mountains and hay bales.
People gathered at the "RL Workshop" counter, listening to a person presenting in a rustic outdoor setting.
Two people wearing sunglasses smile for a selfie at an outdoor event with a "Happy Holidays Ralph Lauren" banner in the background. A classic red car and hay bales are visible, along with a small dog sitting between the people.
The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention joined LA’s first immersive Ralph Lauren Holiday Experience, connecting with the community and sharing info on our free cancer navigation program. Tree sale proceeds support cancer care access in LA County.
Group of individuals posing for a photo in a room with large windows and modern decor.
Group of nine professionals posing in a lobby at the TACL Investigator Conference, standing in front of a conference banner.
Celebrating 20 years of the TACL Consortium! Founded in 2005 at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, TACL unites 34 pediatric oncology centers to accelerate first-in-pediatrics clinical trials for childhood leukemia.
Did you know that your body makes about 2 million blood cells every second? Dr. Rong Lu’s lab studies how hematopoietic regeneration is regulated and how we could improve bone marrow transplantation to help patients with blood disorders such as leukemia, anemia, and immune deficiencies.
A researcher in a white lab coat examines zebrafish in labeled tanks in a brightly lit laboratory setting.
New research from CHLA and USC’s Gage Crump lab points to neural crest cells as a possible origin of Ewing sarcoma, offering fresh insight and potential paths to treatment. Learn more: https://www.chla.org/blog/experts/research-and-breakthroughs/discovery-may-point-cell-origin-ewing-sarcoma
Promotional poster for the CURE® Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient Summit, scheduled for December 20, 2025, featuring a smiling individual in a pink top, against a blue background. It includes details of the event time and the collaboration with USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. The event is virtual.
CURE®'s Educated Patient® Metastatic Breast Cancer Summit is a 2.5-hour virtual program created for patients, survivors, and caregivers seeking trusted, up-to-date information on metastatic breast cancer. To register, go here: https://bit.ly/4qalxWp.
Dr. Anthony El-Khoueiry in a suit standing confidently in an office with large windows in the background.
Congratulations to Dr. Anthony El-Khoueiry, Associate Director for Clinical Research at USC Norris, who has been selected by the AACI to serve a three year term on the Clinical Research Innovation (CRI) Steering Committee, effective October 1, 2025.
Proud to highlight Dr. Evanthia Roussos Torres, the 2025 B-SEARCH beneficiary, who is leading cutting-edge research into how immune suppression drives breast cancer.
Learn more and see how you can support her work: https://fighton.donorengagepro.com/p/breast-cancer-research
Headshot of Tirzah Petta, PhD
Thanks to a grant from the Margaret E. Early Medical Research Trust, Dr. Tirzah Petta will study genomic signatures to predict PARP inhibitors response in ovarian cancer, a type of targeted therapy that blocks an enzyme called PARP, which cancer cells use to repair their DNA.
A smiling person holding two gift cards front of a building.
Individuals packing food supplies at a community service event. Turkeys and bags of chips are visible on the table.
An individual wearing a beige hat and blue shirt standing in front of a building entrance and holding a gift card.
A person in a pink jacket and blue gloves is serving food into small clear cups at a table, with another individual wearing a "Barrio Action" shirt in the background.
Thanks to a donor and our incredible USC Norris Community Outreach and Engagement team, we distributed turkeys and gift cards at Clinica Monsenor Oscar Romero and volunteered with Barrio Action, supporting families in our community this holiday season.
Dr. Albert Han and his team are redefining cancer therapy by reshaping the tumor microenvironment, targeting fibroblasts so tumors lose their lifeline and become easier to defeat. Big ideas, real hope. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3Y1q94P.
A new CHLA and @keckschoolusc.bsky.social study reveals that neural crest cells can be reprogrammed into tumor-forming cells—offering fresh insight into the origins of Ewing sarcoma.
Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4nNGGEU
Four people engaged in a discussion while seated in a conference room, one of whom is gesturing animatedly.
Panel discussion in progress in a modern conference room with an audience listening to speakers. A presentation screen displays the title "My Search for a Welcoming Space" along with images and names of panelists.
Our Patient Perspective Series, led by Mary Aalto, presented My Search for a Welcoming Space. In this conversation, Aaron Rothbart, Lindsey Morrison, and Mario Espitia shared their personal insights into the challenges LGBTQ+ patients face when choosing care and entrusting their health to others.
A dermatologist discussing a skin condition with a patient, showing an image on a laptop screen in a clinic office.
Featured in @gohealio.bsky.social, Dr. Kimberley Miller provides insights on her study that found Latino patients face greater barriers to timely melanoma care, identifying four barriers to care. https://bit.ly/4nViqjf.
Two individuals are engaging in a discussion in front of a small audience in a conference room setting.
Attendees at a the USC Norris Patient Perspective Series listening to registered nurse and health equity advocate Tia Delaney-Stewart.
In our recent Patient Perspective Series, led by Mary Aalto, registered nurse & health equity advocate Tia Delaney-Stewart shared her experience supporting her husband and navigating challenges to ensure he received the high-quality cancer care he deserved.
Two researchers at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center examining data on a computer screen in a laboratory setting.
A new combo therapy could change how we fight solid tumors. Dr. Saul Priceman’s team engineered a virus that helps immune drugs better spot and attack cancer cells, showing powerful results in early tests. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4mG2TUg.
Crowd of participants at the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, walking under a sign that reads "Hope Starts Here," surrounded by tall palm trees under a clear blue sky.
Two individuals wearing pink t-shirts smiling at the camera during the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, with a crowd and palm trees in the background.
Outdoor event at twilight with groups of people gathering around pink-themed booths and tents.
Two individuals smiling at an outdoor event, wearing black t-shirts with pink ribbons, standing in front of palm trees and a crowd.
We proudly joined the Ralph Lauren Pink Ponies at the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk — a powerful celebration of courage, hope, and community. Together, we’re supporting lifesaving research and services to end breast cancer. #BreastCancerAwareness
Congratulations to Dr. Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, the Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement at USC Norris, who was recently appointed the Senior Associate Dean for Community and Workforce Development Initiatives for the Keck School of Medicine of USC, effective May 1, 2025.
