USC Dornsife News Briefs

Tok Thompson, professor (teaching) of anthropology, has been elected a Fellow of the American Folklore Society in recognition of his “meritorious service to the Society and the discipline of folklore studies.” As a fellow, Thompson — who was also recently inducted into the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society — will aid the society as it supports the study and advancement of folklore and expressive cultural traditions globally through student mentoring programs, sessions at the society’s annual meeting, and special awards.

Anna Krylov, USC Associates Chair in Natural Sciences and professor of chemistry, has been awarded the 2025 George Gamow Award by the Russian American Science Association. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by Russian-speaking scientists to science, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Krylov was honored for her leadership, work in theoretical and computational chemistry, and advocacy for scientific integrity and academic freedom.

Erin Baggott Carter and Brett Carter, associate professors of political science and international relations, were awarded the William H. Riker Book Award by the American Political Science Association for their book Propaganda in Autocracies: Institutions, Information, and the Politics of Belief. The prize recognizes the best book published on political economy over the past three years. The Carters’ work analyzes how authoritarian regimes use propaganda to shape beliefs, advancing scholarly understanding of political institutions and information control.

USC Dornsife’s Public Exchange gathers scientists, health experts and community partners for a day of learning, connection and wellness designed to support neighborhoods impacted by the January wildfires.

Lowell Stott, professor of Earth sciences, has been elected a 2025 Union Fellow by AGU, joining a select group honored for exceptional contributions to Earth and space sciences. The AGU Fellowship recognizes scientific breakthroughs, discoveries or innovations advancing the field. Stott was honored for his influential paleoclimate, geochemistry and climate variability work. He will be formally recognized at the AGU25 conference in New Orleans this December.

Spotting the earliest warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease could help delay or even prevent the disease. Duke Han of psychology at USC Dornsife is co-leading a new, nationwide effort to make that possibility a reality.

Danzy Senna, professor of English, has received a 46th Annual American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation for her novel Colored Television. The award honors literary excellence without limitations or restrictions, recognizing both established writers and under-recognized voices. Senna’s work has previously received accolades including the Whiting Writers’ Award, the Dos Passos Prize and the Book of the Month Award for First Fiction for her debut novel, Caucasia.

Percival Everett, Distinguished Professor of English, has received a 46th Annual American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation for his novel James. The award honors literary excellence without limitations or restrictions, recognizing both established writers and under-recognized voices. This honor joins other recent accolades for Everett, whose work has also received the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

MarkThompson, University Professor, Ray R. Irani, Chairman of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Chair in Chemistry, and professor of chemistry, has been awarded a 2026 Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The award recognizes excellence in organic chemistry and honors Thompson’s research on organic light-emitting materials, which led to the red and green emitters that power today’s OLED screens. His work has transformed display and lighting technologies — from smartphones to televisions — while opening new possibilities for sustainable energy applications.