The USC Trojan Sustainability Network, in partnership with the USC Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication, is pleased to announce the next event in our TSN Talks series.

This session will feature distinguished USC leaders who have contributed to advancing social sciences, healthcare innovation, and environmental sustainability technologies at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, and translating pioneering solutions into real-world applications.

Explore how USC Viterbi’s work in artificial intelligence, computational science, and sensor technologies is advancing environmental monitoring and resource management in 2026 and beyond.

This conversation will offer key insights and practical takeaways for the USC community, highlighting interdisciplinary collaborations that accelerate progress in sustainability, climate resilience, ecosystem protection, public health, and energy solutions.

This event is free to attend and open to all USC students and alumni! RSVP is required, RSVP here. Zoom link will be provided.

TSN Talks is a conversation series spotlighting climate and sustainability through leadership, research, and community action. Each session features USC leaders, organizations, and industry experts across technology, business, policy, and advocacy, aimed to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and inspire action. Read more on this event’s speakers below: 

• Yannis C. Yortsos, dean of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Yortsos is the Dolley professor of chemical engineering and dean of USC Viterbi, holding the Zohrab Kaprielian Dean’s Chair. A member of the National Academy of Engineering, his research focuses on transport and reactions in porous media. He founded the School of Advanced Computing and co-founded the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, advancing interdisciplinary Engineering+ initiatives.
• Mahta Moghaddam, vice dean for research, Viterbi School of Engineering. Moghaddam is a distinguished professor and Ming Hsieh Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering at USC Viterbi, where she serves as vice dean for research. Previously at the University of Michigan and NASA JPL, she specializes in radar remote sensing to study Earth’s water cycle. A fellow of IEEE and member of the National Academy of Engineering, she has authored 500+ publications.
• Ralph Lin, managing director, Viterbi’s Office of TIE Hub. Lin is managing director of USC Viterbi’s Office of Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (tiehub), advancing academic innovation into real-world impact. A Caltech graduate, he has led AI-driven resource management, founded Groundtruth Data to deploy environmental sensing networks, and held leadership roles in robotics, machine learning, and product strategy across deep tech startups and national institutions.
• Allison Agsten, moderator.