Keck School of Medicine of USC

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Four people are standing in front of a banner that reads "Los Angeles Brain Bee" and includes the UCLA Brain Research Institute logo. One person is holding a certificate. They are all smiling, and the setting appears to be indoors with a wooden wall in the background.

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The LA Brain Bee brought together students, families, and educators for a celebration of neuroscience and academic curiosity. Hosted by Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute (ZNI) and UCLA Brain Research Institute, it highlighted the incredible talent of high school scholars across the region.

A group of five people stands together smiling against a bright pink background. One person holds a small spine model, and another holds a laptop with visible stickers. They are making peace signs with their hands.

What does a 3D-printed spine have to do with art? Ask @summerin3d.bsky.social PhD, @@virtuallyjon.bsky.social, PhD, Edgar Arceneaux, USC President Beong-Soo Kim, and Shri Narayanan, all together at USC's Arts + Health Symposium "Radiology Live" panel.

Dean’s POV 📸 Our researchers are #1.

The Keck School of Medicine ranks #1 in NIH funding per investigator in the '25 Blue Ridge rankings, a testament to the incredible research happening across our departments. So proud of this incredible accomplishment.

The image is a promotional graphic from the Keck School of Medicine of USC. It features a large yellow circle with the text "#1" and the words "We're #1 in NIH Funding per Investigator" next to it. The top right corner reads "Igniting Discovery."

We're #1 🥇

The FY'25 Blue Ridge rankings are out and we are #1 in @NIH funding per investigator!

Top-10 departments for NIH funding in their fields:

# 1 Population and Public Health Sciences
# 5 Neurology
#5 Ophthalmology
#5 Physiology and Neuroscience
#7 Orthopaedics

#MedSky

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Congratulations are in order 🎉 Donna Elliott, MD, EdD, the Keck School of Medicine’s vice dean for medical education and professor and chair of the Department of Medical Education, has been named Chair-Elect of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). #MedSky

Novel markers of brain blood flow and oxygenation may offer early clues to Alzheimer’s risk Related News USC study finds new evidence linking dementia to problems with the brain’s waste clearance system January 7, 2025 Pioneering study targets Alzheimer’s disease risk factors among Californi...

Subtle changes in how blood flows through the brain and how brain tissue uses oxygen may be closely linked to Alzheimer’s disease risk, according to new research from USC's Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute. https://bit.ly/4s9jXVC

(Photo/Stevens INI)

Dean's POV 📸 Can we prevent Alzheimer's disease within the next 10 years? I believe we can.

At USC, using the power of our 5 Alzheimer's institutes, we imagine a day when a routine blood test detects Alzheimer’s disease decades before symptoms appear.

A collage of hip joint models and 3D printed pelvic structures is displayed. The upper left shows a series of colored anatomical images, highlighting the pelvic bone in different angles. To the right, a white 3D printed pelvis is placed on a light surface. The bottom right features another printed pelvis model with metal components beside it.

3D printing didn't just support this surgery. It made it possible.

Thanks to the incredible collaboration between Nathanael Heckmann, MD, @summerin3d.bsky.social & @virtuallyjon.bsky.social, a patient who came to @keckmedicineusc.bsky.social to repair a previously failed hip surgery can walk again.

A group of smiling people is gathered outdoors on a paved area with trees in bloom. They are in front of the Keck School of Medicine of USC building.

A group of four people standing outside on a paved area with trees and a building in the background. They are smiling and appear casually dressed. Two of them are holding water bottles, and one has a lanyard with an ID.

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Today, our Class of 2028 medical education students are launching into their clerkship phase. They will be integrated into clinical teams, caring for real patients, and exploring the core clerkships. We are excited to see them flourish. Join us in cheering them on ⬇️

Absolutely!

Important discussion featuring @uscpphs.bsky.social chair @rnbluthenthal.bsky.social at @yaleadm.bsky.social.

More --> medicine.yale.edu/internal-med... #MedSky #AddictionScience

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Dean's POV 📸 Celebrating a new era of leadership with President Beong-Soo Kim

At today's State of the University address at HSC, Pres. Kim shared his vision for USC's future: collaboration, focus, innovation, and urgency. Together we will tackle tomorrow's health challenges.

People in surgical attire and masks perform a procedure in an operating room filled with equipment.

A group of medical professionals wearing surgical gowns and masks are performing a procedure in a clinical setting. In the foreground, a pair of protective eyewear is being held up. A monitor and medical equipment from Stryker are visible in the background.

A group of medical professionals in surgical attire are in an operating room. They are focused on a procedure involving advanced equipment, including a monitor displaying an internal view. Surgical instruments are organized on a table.

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Training the next generation 🔬

Every 18 months, USC Eye Roski Institute residents and fellows have the opportunity to participate in the critically acclaimed USC Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Surgical Skills Course, which brings top minds together to train, learn, and innovate.

What an absolute blast at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Infectious Diseases Grand Rounds! #ActAgainstAmputation The Lundquist Institute ALPS (American Limb Preservation Society) Thanks a million to Drs. Pam Lee, Loren Miller, + Team @harborucla-id.bsky.social @keck.usc.edu @uscsurgery.bsky.social

A group of people sits in a room, engaged in conversation. One person is speaking with expressive hand gestures, while others listen attentively. The room has a wall with framed pictures and a USC-themed decor, including a blanket draped over the back of a couch and a USC logo on the wall. A book titled "Cool Cities" is visible on the table.

BTS of our new series "Talk with a Student Doc" where Keck School medical students ask the questions and faculty share their insights 🎬

Launching next week, the show is hosted and created by students Annie Bicego, Jason Osonma, and Chigozie Ibe II ⭐️ Stay tuned!

In the most recent episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Peggy Farnham from the @keck.usc.edu about her work on establishing the ChIP Method in mammalian cells. #podcast #chromatin #podcast

Listen here: activemotif.com/podcasts-peg...

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Four Keck School alums redefining healing.

Carol Otis broke barriers in women's sports medicine. Naomi Morales leads medical missions across borders. Diana Ramos inspires as CA's Surgeon General. Sara Gaspard builds confidence one patient at a time #NationalWomenPhysiciansDay https://bit.ly/3ZiMrjl

A mummy is lying on a medical examination table, partially wrapped with textiles. Medical professionals in white coats and blue gloves are performing a scan using advanced equipment. The setting appears to be a modern medical facility.

A team of medical professionals examines an ancient Egyptian mummy with a CT scanner at Keck School of Medicine. They wear white lab coats and blue gloves, focusing on the task. The mummy is covered with a mesh material.

A gloved hand points at a computer screen displaying various medical scans, including a full-body scan and a cross-sectional image. The screen shows details like dates and technical information related to the scans.

Dean’s POV 📸 Breaking news from 330 BCE: @summerin3d.bsky.social and @virtuallyjon.bsky.social with CIMV performed advanced 3D imaging to virtually "unwrap" the mummies and create 3D prints of their spines and artifacts for a new public exhibition @casciencecenter.bsky.social 🧪

#Science #MedSky

Promising target for Alzheimer's-linked brain inflammation found USC team develops compound that inhibits enzyme tied to inflammation.

A breakthrough in #Alzheimers disease #research 🔬

USC researchers have identified new compounds that may target a key driver of brain inflammation linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

The driver is an enzyme called “calcium-dependent phospholipase A2,” or cPLA2.

More about their findings ⬇️

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Group of eight people smiling in a cooking class at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, standing behind a food preparation table with ingredients and kitchen equipment.

Group of people wearing aprons, including a chef, smiling in a kitchen with a spread of various dishes on a table in front of them.

Two individuals in aprons, one branded with "Keck School of Medicine of USC," are cooking together in a kitchen.

Dean's POV 📸 Healthy cooking is key to long-term health.

MD students joined Greg Harlan, MD, & chef Pablo Blanco for a culinary medicine elective, learning how to create healthy meals & incorporate nutrition into their diets, information they can pass along to their patients.

Adoption of electric vehicles tied to real-world reductions in air pollution, study finds Related News Sweeping review reveals latest evidence on the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of ADHD March 25, 2024 Fluoride exposure during pregnancy linked to increased risk of childhood neurobe...

Read the full story: keck.usc.edu/news/adoptio...

Electric vehicles are cleaning California’s air right now.

For every 200 EVs added to a neighborhood, nitrogen dioxide pollution dropped 1.1%. Researchers used satellite data to track this across the state from 2019-2023. 🧪 #Science #ElectricVehicles

Full story ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Two healthcare professionals are examining a chest X-ray displayed on a monitor in a medical office.

Major milestone: Hastings Foundation pledges $20M to @usc.edu pulmonary research, bringing total support to $75M+ since 1961.

Funds national recruitment for new Hastings Endowed Chair + research in stem cell, lung cancer, asthma, and more. https://bit.ly/4r0LIPw

Major review highlights barriers to follow-up care for childhood cancer survivors Related News Large-scale study explores link between smoking and DNA changes across six racial and ethnic groups March 1, 2024 Large-scale study explores genetic link between colorectal cancer and mea...

Why do many childhood #cancer survivors struggle to get follow-up care?

Researchers at the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences reviewed thousands of studies. They found that barriers such as limited access to specialists and emotional or trauma-related stress may contribute.

New 3D imaging system could address limitations of MRI, CT and ultrasound Related News USC researchers pioneer new brain imaging technique through clear “window” in patient’s skull May 29, 2024 USC researchers receive funding to develop next generation of intelligent biocom...

In a proof-of-concept study, researchers from the Keck School of Medicine and Caltech have developed a non-invasive method to capture full-body 3D images using a combination of ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging.

#ResearchSky #ScienceNews #MedEd

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Igniting discovery in dermatology leadership. 🔥

The Keck School of Medicine of USC has appointed Melvin Chiu, MD, MPH as Chair of the Department of Dermatology. Dr. Chiu is an experienced academic leader advancing patient-centered care, education, and collaboration.

Congratulations to Dr. Enrique Ostrzega, recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching! His decades of excellence in cardiovascular education, ECG training, and mentorship have shaped generations of learners.

Hussein Yassine | A fresh approach to Alzheimer’s prevention Related News Research visionaries strive to transform care with bold thinking, diligence and perseverance October 14, 2024 Brilliant minds, healthy brains December 4, 2024

Leading the way in #Alzheimers disease prevention.

By using cerebrospinal fluid samples from the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at USC, endocrinologist Hussein Yassine, MD, is drawing the link between APOE ε4 and Alzheimer’s into focus.

#ResearchSky #AlzheimersDisease

Congratulations to Dr. Cathy Jalali, recipient of the Dean’s Early Career Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her leadership in curriculum innovation, faculty development, and medical education continues to shape the next generation of physicians.

Fluorescent microscopy image showing a cell in mitosis, with chromosomes in orange and microtubules in green, surrounded by other cell structures in purple and gray.

Dean's POV 📸 I'm blown away by this photo of a lab-grown human kidney assembloid from the Li Lab at USC Stem Cell and was thrilled to hear it was selected by @nature.com as Image of the Year. Incredible!

(Image by Pedro Medina/Li Lab/USC Stem Cell) #StemCell #Science 🧪