Viterbi Voices: The Podcast

This special episode is a roundtable discussion with Paul and three faculty members from the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. In the episode, the professors help to explain the incredibly broad and interdisciplinary field of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the undergraduate curriculum, courses they teach, as well as in-depth conversations about their areas of re...

This special episode is a recording of a roundtable discussion with Paul and three Computer Science faculty members: Dr. Jeffery Miller, Dr. William G.J. Halfond, and Dr. Cyrus Shahabi. In the episode, Paul and the professors discuss internships, CS theory and hands-on work, the capstone project, programming experience and more. In the episode, they also answer questions from admitted students sub...

This special episode is a recording of a roundtable discussion with Paul and two faculty members from the Biomedical Engineering Department: Prof. Maral Mousavi and Prof. Eun Ji Chung. In the episode, Paul and the professors answer questions from admitted students submitted via Zoom, generating a discussion on everything from the distinction between hard sciences and engineering to research in BME...

This special episode is a recording of a roundtable discussion with Paul and three faculty members from the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department: Prof. James Moore, Prof. Kurt Palmer, and Prof. Yalda Khashe. In the episode, Paul and the professors answer questions from admitted students submitted via Zoom, generating a discussion on everything from the broad scope of industrial and system...

This special episode is a recording of a roundtable discussion with Paul and three faculty members from the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science: Prof. Robert Young, Prof. Iraj Ershaghi, and Prof. Steve Nutt. In the episode, Paul and the professors answer questions from admitted students submitted via Zoom, discussing everything from research in the Chemical Engin...

In this episode, Christina speaks with American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists members Jake (President) and Ahmed (Director of Finance) about sustainability at USC, their passion for the environment, and what it's like to live sustainably in Los Angeles! Tune in to learn more about AAEES as an organization and students' views on how USC's initiatives protect the e...

This special episode is a recording of a roundtable discussion with Paul and three faculty members from the Astronautical Engineering Department: Prof. Dan Erwin, Prof. David Barnhart, and Prof. Garrett Reisman. In the episode, Paul and the professors answer questions from admitted students submitted via Zoom, generating a discussion on everything from research in the Astronautical Engineering dep...

This special episode is a recording of a roundtable discussion with Paul and three faculty members from the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department: Prof. Paul Ronney, Prof. Charles Radovich, and Prof. Matthew Gilpin. In the episode, Paul and the professors answer questions from admitted students submitted via Zoom, generating a discussion on everything from the difference between aerospac...

This special episode is a recording of a roundtable discussion with Paul and three faculty members from the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Prof. Lucio Soibelman, Prof. Amy Childress, and Prof. Felipe De Barros. In the episode, Paul and the professors answer questions from admitted students submitted via Zoom, ranging from a discussion on the differences between civ...

In this episode, Mahima is celebrating Women's History Month by talking to some of her fellow female engineers. Mahima talks to Jessica and Evie about their involvements, challenges they faced being women in engineering, and most importantly, the uplifting community they've built here at Viterbi. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! Visit Viterbi for Summer 2026...

In this episode, Alex talks with fellow ISE major Nick about his experience with the ISE senior capstone project. Nick and his team are currently working on an optimization algorithm for the Aerospace Corporation. Tune in to find out more about this class unique to the Industrial and Systems engineering major. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! Visit Viterbi for Summer...

Tune into this special episode where Paul gives an update on First Year Admission Decisions. Learn more about virtual information sessions and how you can discover Viterbi remotely! Note that this was recorded on 3/25. Up to date information on USC's Covid-19 response can be found here: https://sites.usc.edu/coronavirus/. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! Visit Vi...

In this episode, the podcast team discusses the communities we were able to build in USC Housing and share our favorite memories and stories from our first-year housing experiences at USC. As many of you begin to make your college decisions later this spring, you may be unable to travel to campus. Hopefully, this episode can help illuminate what it is like to live in a dorm and help you make your...

Please listen to this update for an update on the University's response to COVID-19. Note that the situation is evolving and that this was recorded on March 12th at 9 AM. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! Visit Viterbi for Summer 2026 There's no better way to learn more about our engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence undergraduate program...

Listen in on a conversation with professor Matthew Whiting about things indie game development at USC! From opportunities within the computer science games major and beyond, learn all about how students go about building new projects and getting involved with the game scene in Los Angeles! Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! Visit Viterbi for Summer 2026 There's no...

In this episode, Christina speaks with fellow environmental engineers Tadd ('23), Jessica ('22), Ahmed ('21), and Miranda ('20) about their experience at USC and passion for environmental engineering. Tune in to learn more about the major and opportunities as an environmental engineer at USC, and hear some student perspectives on life as an engineer from a freshman, sophomore,...

In this episode, Maddie talks to fellow engineers Lindsay, Andrew, and Rhys about USC's unique Thematic Option Honors program. Thematic Option is an interdisciplinary, theme-centered GE replacement program for students passionate about reading and writing. Students discuss what Thematic Option means to them, favorite classes, and how the program has connected with engineering. Text us a Quest...

In newest installment of our alumni series, Paul and Audrey chat with Dr. Jasmine Thum. Dr. Thum received her BS and MS in biomedical engineering at USC in just four years, then went on to Harvard Medical School to receive her MD. Currently Dr. Thum is in the Nurological Surgery Residency Program at UCLA. Tune in to hear this incredible story combining medicine and engineering. Text us a Question...

In this episode, Paul and Audrey talk with Chris Morgan, a USC graduate and current software engineer at Google. Chris graduated with his B.S. in Computer Science in 2004 and received his M.S. in Software Engineering from USC in 2007. He has worked at a variety of companies ranging from software test engineering at Boeing to consulting with Accenture. At USC, Chris was involved in activities inclu...

In this episode, Audrey profiles Fifi, an Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) student at USC. Fifi explains what ISE is and talks about her experience in the major. As an engineer, Fifi has studied abroad in New Zealand, done research at USC's Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events, managed projects for Engineers Without Borders, and chaired the USC Women in Engineerin...

In this episode, Paul and Audrey talk with USC alumna Dr. Tracy Dooley to learn about her career in the healthcare industry. After graduating from USC with a degree in biomedical engineering, Dr. Dooley went on to Stanford University School of Medicine. Excited by the opportunities present in Silicon Valley, Tracy took an investment banking job after earning her MD. Since then, Tracy has worked wi...

In this episode, Christina chats with four Viterbi students, Nick, Kruthi, Sydney, and Audrey, to discuss fun, non-STEM classes that engineers can take at USC. From general education seminars on Italian organized crime to elective film symposiums, tune in to hear about some exciting classes offered at USC, student experiences in the courses, and how they fit into an engineering course plan! Text u...

In this episode, learn all about how to transfer to USC's Viterbi School of Engineering! Paul sits down with Rebecca Beiter, the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission, and Angie Solares, the Senior Assistant Director for Undergraduate Admission, to answer all of your questions about the transfer process. Remember, the transfer deadline is February 1st, so tune in to this podcast and g...

In this episode, Luz and other members of Society of Hispanic Engineers delve into their experiences with and opportunities at this year's SHPE national convention in Phoenix, AZ. Learn about graduate school opportunities, research competitions, and professional development going on at this ever growing conference and get the lowdown on all things SHPE! Text us a Question or Comment - it may...

In this episode, Paul and Audrey chat with USC Alumnus Jason Scott, the current head of 3D at Rising Sun Pictures. After graduating from USC with a degree in computer science and a minor in cinema, Jason went on to pursue his lifelong dream of creating special effects for films. A passionate engineer, artist, and manager, he has worked on films such as Ant-Man, Captain Marvel, and recently Ford v...