FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF USC DANA AND DAVID DORNSIFE COLLEGE OF LETTERS, ARTS AND SCIENCES SPRING / SUMMER 2019 MAGAZINE The Climate Issue A BRIGHTER AsFORECAST our familiar world starts behaving in new and unexpected ways, our scholars find opportunities and hope where many see only obstacles. FacultyClimate find optimism in our changing climate. of Hope “We all have hopes for our future, and for our childrens’ future. Take a moment to consider: What are your hopes, priorities and values? All of us here at USC are looking forward, striving for new knowledge — pursuing higher education is the ultimate expression of hope for the future “I have to admit it’s hard to find hope amidst and dedication to evolve our thinking. Knowing that we the many changing climates we face daily, be it climate change itself, or the shifting collectively prioritize personal growth and learning gives tenor of political and public discourse, me hope. The science is clear, and our students know it: especially around race and gender politics. Our actions (e.g., driving, flying and consuming relentlessly) A sense of equilibrium, let alone futurity is difficult to see on the horizon. But every time are damaging our environment. We owe it to ourselves, I fear things may be irreparable, I find hope our students and our children to adopt better ways of in the optimism, tenacity and commitment of my students. Their sheer force of effort, being in the world right now, while our students, faculty the power of their desires and their capacities and alumni work on understanding problems and pursuing to transform the world, punctures my solutions for a better future. Our climate depends upon it.” own cynicism. They are ready to do the SARAH FEAKINS, associate professor of Earth sciences difficult work — and to fight, if necessary, for restorative justice. In turn, we have to remember that our role is to give them the tools to perform this transformative work, both intellectually and spiritually.” KAREN TONGSON, associate professor of English, gender studies and American studies and ethnicity “What brings me hope is that Americans overwhelmingly believe that climate change is a threat, and that we have to deal with it. That’s true especially for Democrats, but independents largely share that view, and so do a plurality of Republicans. The support for a rational climate policy grows steadily, and that gives me hope. Two other things also give me hope. First, we’re seeing states and cities act on their own even as the federal government rolls back some of the policies designed to deal with the climate crisis. Many of them have independently signed up to do their part to observe and fulfill the Paris Agreement. Second, the private sector now perceives real economic opportunity in coming up with solutions on climate. Today there are far more people employed in the solar energy industry than there are in coal mining.” ROBERT SHRUM, Carmen H. and Louis Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics and professor of the practice of political science, director of the Center for the Political Future “I am not sure ‘hope’ is the word I would “It makes me hopeful when I see military veterans “What gives me hope use. I would say I derive strength from the organizing for peace, especially when their actions is that our talented places where climates of resistance exist: against militarism forge connections with efforts to students are taking In the region I study, Palestinians continue end Islamophobia, violence against women, racial much more interest in to struggle against a brutal Israeli military injustice and destruction of the natural environment. political participation. occupation; Algerians and Sudanese in the When groups and coalitions connect the dots between They are increasingly hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, what might seem on the surface to be separate issues, speaking out about have protested peacefully over months to they shift the political climate in ways that point to a the injustices they bring down corrupt systems; Egyptian more peaceful and just future.” observe on campus, MICHAEL MESSNER, professor of sociology and gender studies defenders of human rights continue to resist in the United States the repressive Sisi regime. and across the Closer to home, many of the 2018 class of “I believe we are living in an era of rapidly globe. Our students U.S. congressional representatives have set changing climates that are competing for are principled and a new standard of tenacity and fearlessness political space and for our attention. One is they truly have the in confronting structures of oppression and a climate of fear. This is a pessimistic view of courage of their injustice. humanity that invites hatred and violence. It convictions. Our These examples, both at home and abroad, promotes authoritarianism and the interests of brilliant Trojans demand of us all not to hope, but, each in a few at the expense of freedom, liberty and will help effect the her/his own way, to accept the responsibility, human rights for all. This rather Machiavellian changes that are so as part of a common humanity, to act — climate seems to be dominant at this time. urgently needed. to engage in the struggle for social, economic The good news is that the climate may Their commitment and political justice.” be changing. The successor generation is to human rights LAURIE BRAND, Robert Grandford Wright Professor and promoting a climate of change that encourages and global justice is professor of international relations and Middle East studies open societies, innovation, creativity, social inspiring.” ALISON DUNDES RENTELN, justice and respect for all humankind. They say professor of political science, the world is not a dangerous place. It is a place anthropology, public policy to encourage cooperation and problem solving. and law This climate promotes courage and hope not fear and despair. “Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) on Earth are based on stored The words of St. Augustine carbon derived from the sun’s energy and synthesized over eons and can be broadly characterized as ‘fossilized sunshine.’ The sun is capture this climate of change: going to be around for the next 4.5 billion years. Therefore, Earth, per se, does not have an energy problem (plenty of solar and wind Hope has two beautiful energy is available to produce electricity), but rather energy storage and energy carrier problems. daughters. … anger at the All living things on planet Earth are invariably tied to carbon. way things are, and courage Renewable methanol made through carbon dioxide capture and to see that they do not conversion using water and renewable energies is a simple solution to a very complex climate change conundrum. Liquid methanol remain the way they are. is a versatile fuel to replace gasoline and diesel and is a chemical feedstock to make petroleum products. Therefore, if carbon is considered the problem (excessive A climate change cannot atmospheric CO2 concentrations causing climate change), carbon come soon enough.” has to be the solution.” STEVEN LAMY, professor of G.K. SURYA PRAKASH, George A. and Judith A. Olah Nobel international relations and Laureate Chair in Hydrocarbon Chemistry and professor of spatial sciences chemistry SENIOR ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND COMMUNICATION Lance Ignon EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Darrin S. Joy MANAGING EDITOR Susan Bell ART DIRECTOR / PRODUCTION MANAGER Letty Avila WRITERS AND EDITORS Michelle Boston Margaret Crable Emily Gersema Jim Key Stephen Koenig DESIGNER Dennis Lan VIDEOGRAPHER AND PHOTOGRAPHER Mike Glier COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT Deann Webb CONTRIBUTORS Joanna Clay, Lilly Kate Diaz, Eric Lindberg, Laura Russell, Annamaria Sauer USC DORNSIFE ADMINISTRATION Amber D. Miller, Dean • Stephen Bradforth, Divisional Dean for Natural Sciences and Mathematics • Steven Finkel, College Dean of Graduate and Professional Education • Lance Ignon, Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Communication • Andrew Lakoff, Divisional Dean for Social Sciences • Peter Mancall, Divisional Dean for the Humanities • Renee Perez, Senior Associate Dean and Chief Operating Officer • Eddie Sartin, Senior Associate Dean for Advancement • Andrew Stott, College Dean of Under- graduate Education USC DORNSIFE BOARD OF COUNCILORS Robert D. Beyer, Chair • Wendy Abrams • Robert Alvarado • Richard S. Flores • Shane Foley • Lisa Goldman • Jana Waring Greer • Pierre Habis • Yossie Hollander • Janice Bryant Howroyd • Martin Irani • Dan James • Stephen G. Johnson • Suzanne Nora Johnson • Bettina Kallins • Yoon Kim • Samuel King • Jaime Lee • Arthur Lev • Kathy Leventhal • Rodger Lynch • Robert Osher • Gerald Papazian • Andrew Perlman • Lawrence Piro • Edoardo Ponti • Kelly Porter • Michael Reilly • Harry Robinson • Carole Shammas • Kumarakulasingam “Suri” Suriyakumar • Rajeev Tandon USC DORNSIFE MAGAZINE Published twice a year by the USC Dornsife Office of Communication at the University of Southern California. © 2019 USC Dornsife College. The diverse opinions expressed in USC Dornsife Magazine do not necessarily represent the views of the editors, USC Dornsife administration or USC. USC Dornsife Magazine welcomes comments from its readers to PHOTO BY THOMAS ECKHARDT [email protected] or USC Dornsife Magazine, SCT-2400, Los Angeles, CA 90089. SPRING / SUMMER 2019 1 CLIMATE OF HOPE Faculty find optimism in our Contents changing climate. 4 FROM THE HEART OF USC Mother follows kids to school; Yoga helps young’uns; Poet laureate completes state tour; Cancer’s clock may be unwound. 5 Curriculum 6 Profile 10 In The Field 12 Our World 40 SMOKE SIGNALS Earth scientist Julien Emile-Geay links wildfires to inequity. THE CLIMATE ISSUE 42 Legacy 43 14 Faculty News 43 Alumni News ApocalypseMatters fatigue got you of down? DegreesThe remedy may be found in a different climate change narrative emphasizing the vast potential for a thriving planet. By Stephen Koenig 44 DORNSIFE FAMILY Top science academy elects two 20 more members; Technology alters the search for love; Young rancher becomes genomics pioneer.