Trojan Talks

University of Southern California
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education
  • Updated Monthly

A space for conversation about USC's future with President Beong-Soo Kim and voices both inside and beyond the Trojan Family.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Ep. 12: President Kim with Paul Aisen and Steve Shapiro

    How close are we to preventing Alzheimer's disease—and what role can academic medicine play in changing the future of healthcare? In this episode of Trojan Talks, USC President Beong-Soo Kim is joined by two leading USC physician-scientists: Dr. Paul Aisen, director of the USC Epstein Family Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute, and Dr. Steve Shapiro, USC's executive vice president for health affairs and CEO of Keck Medicine of USC. Recorded live at a Trojan Family reception in La Jolla, California, the conversation explores major advances in Alzheimer's research, including new imaging technologies, blood tests, clinical trials, and treatments designed to target the disease earlier in its progression. Dr. Aisen discusses how decades of research have transformed scientists' understanding of Alzheimer's—from a disease identified primarily through symptoms to one that can increasingly be detected and studied years before those symptoms appear. The episode also examines the broader promise of academic medicine. Dr. Shapiro discusses how patient care, scientific discovery, medical education, philanthropy, and clinical research work together at institutions like USC to accelerate innovation and improve outcomes for patients with complex conditions. Together, the conversation looks at why researchers are increasingly optimistic about the next decade of medicine—and how collaboration across universities, health systems, industry, government agencies, and research participants can help turn scientific discoveries into better prevention and treatment. Topics include: Alzheimer's disease research and prevention Alzheimer's clinical trials Blood-based biomarkers and early detection Amyloid and tau imaging New Alzheimer's treatments Academic medicine and medical research Translational research and patient care Keck Medicine of USC The future of healthcare innovation Visit USC on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/USC/​ Learn more about the University of Southern California: https://www.usc.edu

  2. Oct 1

    Ep. 11: President Kim with Emilio Ferrara, Eric Kramon, and Gordon Stables

    In this episode of Trojan Talks, USC President Beong-Soo Kim joins three USC faculty experts—Emilio Ferrara, Eric Kramon, and Gordon Stables—to examine some of the major challenges facing democratic societies today. Drawing on perspectives from computer science, political science, international relations, journalism, and communication, the conversation explores the impact of artificial intelligence, online information systems, media literacy, public trust, and civic participation.

  3. Sep 24

    Ep. 10: President Kim with Maja Mataric

    In this episode of Trojan Talks, USC President Beong-Soo Kim sits down with Maja Mataric, Chan Soon-Shiong Chair and Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and one of the world's leading researchers on uses of AI and robotics in mental and emotional health. Their conversation explores a fundamental question: How can AI and robotics augment human well-being rather than simply automate tasks?

  4. May 13

    Ep. 9: President Beong-Soo Kim with Assal Habibi

    President Kim sits down with Assal Habibi, USC associate research professor of psychology and director of the USC Center for Music, Brain, and Society, to discuss how music — something deeply woven into society and the human experience — helps shape the brain. They explore how music affects brain function, childhood development, and well-being as well as interdisciplinary research emerging from the USC Brain and Creativity Institute.

    Ep. 9: President Beong-Soo Kim with Assal Habibi

  5. Apr 30

    Ep. 8: President Beong-Soo Kim with Prem Natarajan

    President Kim sits down with Prem Natarajan, Executive Vice President, Head of Enterprise AI, and Chief Scientist at Capital One, and USC Research Professor of Computer Science with Distinction, to discuss how AI is reshaping organizations and what it means for universities and the future of talent. Recorded at USC's 2026 Corporate Engagement Symposium, their conversation covers enterprise AI, the evolving workforce, and how USC can strengthen partnerships with industry.

    Ep. 8: President Beong-Soo Kim with Prem Natarajan

  6. Apr 14

    Ep. 7: President Beong-Soo Kim with Peter Mancall

    President Beong-Soo Kim sits down with Distinguished Professor Peter Mancall, one of the nation's leading scholars of early North America, to discuss his forthcoming book Contested Continent, the deeper forces that shaped the nation's founding, and the lasting value of studying history. With USC serving as the only university host of the National Archives' traveling exhibition of founding-era documents, they explore deep scholarship, public memory, and the role higher education plays in connecting the past to the present.

    Ep. 7: President Beong-Soo Kim with Peter Mancall

  7. Mar 26

    Ep. 6: President Beong-Soo Kim with Richard Green

    President Beong-Soo Kim sits down with Richard K. Green, director of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, to discuss how cities can survive, adapt, and remain affordable in an era of volatility and transformation. From rebuilding after catastrophic wildfires to confronting the nation's housing shortage and reimagining the future of American cities, they explore the intersection of markets, public policy, and education — and how universities like USC can help support more resilient communities.

    Ep. 6: President Beong-Soo Kim with Richard Green

  8. Jan 22

    Ep. 5: President Beong-Soo Kim with Eileen Crimmins

    President Kim and Eileen Crimmins, one of the world's leading scholars in aging and population health, discuss how scientists measure aging and longevity — and why living longer does not always mean living healthier. They explore biomarkers, life-course influences on health, and what demographic trends suggest about the future of aging.

    Ep. 5: President Beong-Soo Kim with Eileen Crimmins

  9. 12/08/2025

    Ep. 4: President Beong-Soo Kim with Dr. Inderbir "Indy" S. Gill

    President Kim speaks with Dr. Inderbir (Indy) Gill — USC's Chair of Urology and a global leader in robotic surgery — about the world's first in-human bladder transplant and the innovation behind it. They discuss what this breakthrough could mean for patients, the future of AI and robotics in medicine, and USC's expanding role in advancing care globally.

    Ep. 4: President Beong-Soo Kim with Dr. Inderbir "Indy" S. Gill

  10. 11/18/2025

    Ep. 3: President Beong-Soo Kim with Eric Schmidt

    President Kim and Eric Schmidt (Former CEO and Chairman, Google; Chair and CEO, Relativity Space) discuss the rapid evolution of AI and what it means for higher ed. Recorded at USC's first AI Summit, their conversation covers the future of work, the global race for talent, the importance of computing power, and the immense opportunities for students and researchers today.

    Ep. 3: President Beong-Soo Kim with Eric Schmidt

  11. 11/13/2025

    Ep. 2: President Beong-Soo Kim with Jonathan Haidt

    President Kim and social psychologist and thought leader Jonathan Haidt explore what it means to nurture wellbeing and personal development in a generation shaped by technology and how universities can lead with purpose and empathy.

    Ep. 2: President Beong-Soo Kim with Jonathan Haidt

  12. 09/29/2025

    Ep. 1: Meet Interim President Beong-Soo Kim with Dean Willow Bay

    In the launch episode, President Kim and Dean Bay discuss USC's present and future, ranging from student success and open dialogue to responsible AI and more.

    Ep. 1: Meet Interim President Beong-Soo Kim with Dean Willow Bay
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A space for conversation about USC's future with President Beong-Soo Kim and voices both inside and beyond the Trojan Family.

Information

  • Creator
    University of Southern California
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Trojan Talks

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