USC Dornsife honors scholars with 2024 Communicator of the Year Award
At a recent luncheon hosted by Moh El-Naggar, interim dean of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, seven scholars were honored with the 2024 Communicator of the Year Award for their demonstrated commitment and success in making academic research accessible to the public.
PhD Student: Miguel Híjar-Chiapa
A PhD student in political science and international relations, Miguel Híjar-Chiapa is a leading voice in public discussions on democracy, governance and political representation, with a research focus on Latin American politics and social movements.
Through articles and numerous interviews in major Spanish-language news outlets, he has made complex political issues more accessible to a broader audience. He extends these conversations to social media platforms like X and Instagram, engaging the public on political theory and international relations.
Híjar-Chiapa has also presented his research internationally, including at the Southern Political Science Association’s annual meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As president of the Australian and New Zealand Studies Association of North America, he has strengthened academic collaboration across continents, fostering connections between scholars in diverse fields.
Postdoctoral Fellow: Anthony Vaccaro
A postdoctoral fellow in psychology, Anthony Vaccaro has excelled in translating complex neuroscience for the public.
Following the publication of his study on mixed emotions, which revealed unique neural activity associated with experiencing positive and negative feelings simultaneously, he authored an article regarding his findings for The Conversation. It was republished by 48 news organizations, including U.S. News & World Report, and read online by 75,000 people. Additionally, he collaborated with the USC Dornsife Office of Communication on a widely viewed video and participated in interviews with news organizations such as KCBS.
Vaccaro also contributed a widely read op-ed for the Los Angeles Times, in which he shared his perspective on the notion that social media rewires the brains of young people.
Beyond his research, Vaccaro actively counters misinformation and collaborates with students to create educational videos that enhance public understanding of neuroscience.
Life Sciences: Laura Melissa Guzmán
A former Gabilan Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences and Quantitative and Computational Biology, Laura Melissa Guzmán (now a professor at Cornell University) is committed to making environmental science more accessible and engaging for the public. Her research at USC Dornsife focused on biodiversity and the ecological impact of urban environments, particularly in Los Angeles.
Guzmán’s work has been featured by ABC News, Popular Science and Vox, where she has provided expert insights on the threats facing pollinators and other vital insect populations. She also co-authored an article for The Conversation with one of her graduate students, using her research to reveal the unexpected biodiversity of insect life in L.A. and its relationship to urbanization.
Beyond media engagement, Guzmán is a dedicated mentor and advocate for public science communication, working closely with students to encourage broader participation in ecological research. Through public talks, outreach initiatives and interdisciplinary collaborations, she continues to foster awareness of biodiversity and conservation in urban settings.
Physical Sciences and Mathematics: Vahe Peroomian
A professor (teaching) of physics and astronomy, Vahe Peroomian has dedicated his career to making astrophysics accessible and engaging for the public. His ability to connect complex cosmic events to everyday experiences has made him a sought-after expert for both national and international media.
His two articles for The Conversation, one about solar power during an eclipse and the other about a nova, have been republished by 64 news organizations, including Scientific American, PBS and Fast Company, reaching more than 320,000 online readers across a dozen countries. Beyond print media, Peroomian is frequently called upon by domestic and international broadcasters to explain topics ranging from solar eclipses to deep-space exploration. His expertise was also featured in a widely viewed television news segment, in which he explained the appearance of mysterious golden lights over Los Angeles.
In addition to his media presence, Peroomian regularly engages with diverse audiences through public talks, outreach events and mentorship, inspiring curiosity and appreciation for science. His relatable, engaging style makes him an effective educator, helping audiences understand the universe in ways that feel both accessible and awe-inspiring.
Social Sciences: Christian Grose
A professor of political science and public policy, Christian Grose has been one of the media’s most sought-after experts on elections, voter demographics and political trends. His ability to translate complex political analysis into accessible insights has made him a go-to source for news organizations worldwide.
In 2024, Grose’s expertise was featured by CNN, NBC, The New York Times, The Hill, Reuters, Bloomberg, The Orange County Register, LAist and CalMatters, among others. He provided real-time analysis of key California races, national election trends, and shifts in voter behavior, shaping public understanding of the political landscape.
Beyond media engagement, Grose is a prolific researcher whose work informs both policymakers and the public. He is a frequent speaker at academic conferences and civic forums, providing data-driven insights into voting rights, campaign strategy and election reform.
Through high-profile media appearances, rigorous scholarship and public speaking engagements, Grose has solidified his reputation as one of USC Dornsife’s most influential voices on democracy and governance.
Center or Institute Leader: Darby Saxbe
Co-director of the USC Center for the Changing Family based at USC Dornsife and professor of psychology, Darby Saxbe has emerged as a leading public voice on parenting, cognitive labor and mental health. Her research sheds light on how family relationships shape mental well-being, and her ability to communicate these findings in clear, relatable terms has made her a trusted expert for major news outlets.
In 2024, Saxbe was widely featured in national and international media, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Politico, Salon, and Psychology Today. She has been a frequent podcast guest, expanding her reach beyond traditional media to connect with diverse audiences.
Her research has reached broad audiences through print, digital and broadcast outlets. She authored two articles for The Conversation, covering changes to new fathers’ brains and the toll chores take on mothers’s cognition. Together, the articles were republished by 76 news organizations and read by 100,000 people.
Through high-profile media appearances, widely read publications and her leadership at USC Dornsife, Saxbe has played a critical role in shaping public discourse on family dynamics, mental health and caregiving.
Humanities: Jacob Soll
A University Professor and professor of philosophy, history, and accounting, Jacob Soll is a globally recognized expert on economic policy, fiscal accountability and governance. His work has shaped international discourse, making him one of USC Dornsife’s most influential public scholars.
His New York Times Sunday op-ed on President Biden’s economic policy sparked national conversation and was widely discussed in financial and political circles. Internationally, Soll has been interviewed by major media outlets in Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Portugal, offering expert analysis on public finance, historical economic trends and contemporary governance.
Soll is also the co-author of the acclaimed book Public Net Worth: Accounting for the Future, which explores the critical role of government balance sheets in shaping economic stability. The book was named one of the Financial Times’ Best Economic Books of the Summer, reinforcing his status as a leading voice in global economic policy.
In addition to his media presence, Soll is a sought-after speaker, delivering lectures and participating in panel discussions at prestigious institutions worldwide. Through his global media presence, high-profile speaking engagements and influential publications, he continues to bridge the gap between historical scholarship and modern economic policy, ensuring that his research reaches both policymakers and the broader public.