The Pulse of Innovation

"I want to learn from new research and I think there should be a solution that makes said research easier to understand.” Love of science runs deep in Amanda Curtis, and she’s passionate about spreading that knowledge as widely as possible. In her spotlight, Curtis tells us how she’s making publications more accessible, offers advice on the best tacos near campus, and lists the essential gear she keeps on her to be prepared for every situation...

Whether jamming out or finding new spots to photograph the stars, Quinn Jones believes in keeping an open mind and making the most of opportunities when they present themselves. He’s an innovator who’s always looking for chances to learn something new.

When Monique Manaloto offers advice to freshmen, she offers two things: “Gain self-awareness, and be effortlessly in love with what you do.” As Manaloto prepares to graduate this spring, it is clear that she has taken her own advice. The Iovine and Young Academy senior’s enthusiasm for the fashion industry design shines through every word she says and writes about it—and that spark has caught attention far beyond the Academy itself: this winter, for the second year in a row, Monique Manaloto has won the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund case study competition, one of only 200 recipients selected from applicants across 65 colleges and universities.

"Before you buy something, try making it yourself" is a motto that Casey lives by. He turns his watercolor paintings into stickers by first importing his paintings into Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator and transforms them into digital designs that he prints as custom, unique stickers...

“Find people that inspire you and become their friend [ … ] My friends that I’ve met at USC are fantastic, and they inspire me every day.” Whether at work or relaxing, Landon Brand always thinks about ways that happiness can bring more success. Brand discusses how strong company culture can create happy, productive employees, as well as sharing his own tips for de-stressing.

As an animator, designer, modeler, painter and creator of worlds, Irene is breaking down the barriers between art and technology. She has created a 3D animation film titled "The Blind Carrot" and is currently working on a 2D animation...

Each month, Anant challenges himself to explore solutions for problems that he finds around him. His creativity, building skills and passion has led him to tackle issues ranging from affordable homeless shelters and air pollution in Delhi to Pringles that you can’t reach from the bottom of the can...

Monique Manaloto is a two-time Fashion Scholarship Fund recipient and has traveled to the world’s top fashion capitals to study fashion technology and sustainability. Here, she talks about integrating her love of fashion with health and wellness, and the power of intuition…

"Going the extra mile gets you to the top." Not only is Lillian Zeng a multidisciplinary artist, but she has also challenged the #1 Super Smash Bros Melee player in the world...

With the recent launch of her company CULTURxEAT which is set to produce an app, conference, and accelerator along with her acceptance into Founder Gym, an online training center for underrepresented founders, Williams is well on her way to realizing her vision of bringing together artists, techies and activists to co-design the future of social equity.

"Be in tune with how you feel in the present, and follow the curiosity of your inner voice that exists at that moment." Merciv co-founder Cam Lindsay pursued his passion for music to launch a dynamic startup that integrates AR with live performance. Here, Cam shares who inspires him and how he finds his way to unexpected people and places...

Jean Daniel "JD" LeRoy is a natural explorer. Whether it's exploring the world around him using videography and photography or rock climbing, he's always looking for a new learning adventure...