Author – Ethan Bochicchio Another successful USC and Techstars University Catalyst Program has come to a close, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of USC’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Over ten weeks, the program transformed early-stage ideas into more disciplined, market-ready ventures, while giving founders a clearer understanding of what it takes to build…
Author: Jordan Locy
Author – Ethan Bochicchio The University of Southern California’s (USC) Office of Research and Innovation (OORI) is thrilled to announce that Arkisys Inc., a company founded and led by USC Professor David Barnhart, has been selected as the maintenance and commercial sustaining partner for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Astrobee, the free-flying robotic…
Author: Jordan Locy and Ethan Bochicchio The University of Southern California’s Office of Research and Innovation (OORI) is amplifying its focus on groundbreaking discovery and commercial translation by launching a broader range of internal funding opportunities. Through the Research Catalyst Program (RCP) and the Innovation Catalyst Program (ICP), OORI has combined previous initiatives to maximize…
Author—Ethan Bochicchio Last year, the Office of Research and Innovation (OORI) at the University of Southern California (USC) saw its first class of Student Empowerment Award recipients. The OORI’s Student Empowerment Award seeks to support undergraduate and graduate students, as well as their faculty mentors, in engaging in groundbreaking research and early-stage entrepreneurship that results…
Author: Jordan Locy, Ethan Bochicchio & Aaron K. Nordman In September 2020, Dr. Bodour Salhia founded CpG Diagnostics, intent on transforming cancer diagnostics through innovative epigenetic technology. High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the most aggressive subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer, requires timely specialist management. Utilizing the patented OvaPrint, the only cell-free DNA methylation blood test…
Author: Jordan Locy & Ethan Bochicchio In late 2021, researchers Denis Evseenko and Frank Petrigliano were awarded a $6 million grant from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine for their breakthrough, having used a stem cell-based bio-implant to delay joint degeneration and repair cartilage in a large animal model. Today, joined by Jay R. Lieberman,…
The University of Southern California (USC) and Techstars are proud to announce the newest cohort of university catalyst companies selected for the USC and Techstars program. The USC and Techstars program is a collaborative effort led by USC’s Office of Research and Innovation (OORI), that brings Techstars expertise and programmatic offerings to USC students and…
The University of Southern California (USC) and Techstars are thrilled to announce that applications for the 2026 USC & Techstars Accelerator are officially open as of August 25, 2025. The USC and Techstars program is a collaborative effort led by USC’s Office of Research and Innovation (OORI) that brings Techstars’ expertise and programmatic offerings to…
The University of Southern California’s Alfred E. Mann Institute (AMI) is preparing to announce a new round of strategic investments in groundbreaking medical technologies and innovations. Under the leadership of Managing Director Tariq Warsi, AMI continues to advance its mission of bridging the gap between early-stage biomedical research and commercially viable products that improve and…
The University of Southern California has secured a major success in advancing university–industry partnerships through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Professors Brian E. Applegate, PhD, and John S. Oghalai, MD, along with their company partner AO Technologies LLC, have been awarded a Phase I NIH STTR grant…