15 exceptional USC Dornsife faculty and staff recognized for excellence

On May 28, 15 faculty and staff members at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences were recognized for their exceptional service. While their responsibilities and areas of expertise vary widely, they are united in their demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and education.

“It’s fitting that we celebrate excellence and remind ourselves of how fortunate we are to work alongside some of the most talented and hard-working people anywhere,” said USC Dornsife Dean James Bullock during the award ceremony. “Everyone in this room brings so much value to our mission.”

Ten faculty members received Albert S. Raubenheimer Awards, which recognize outstanding scholarship, teaching and service within the university.

Five staff members who demonstrated exceptional service to USC Dornsife were given Outstanding Staff Achievement Awards.

Albert S. Raubenheimer Outstanding Senior Faculty Award

Andrea Ballestero, Associate Professor of Anthropology

Ballestero is the founder and director of The Ethnography Studio, a laboratory for ethnographic research and collaboration. She is also the author of the award-winning book A Future History of Water. Her scholarship has earned support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Mellon Foundation and other prestigious sources.

Ballestero serves as the director of graduate studies for the anthropology department, where she has modernized the doctoral program. She is particularly regarded for her skills as an organizer.

“Many of her projects are collaborative and highly generative for those involved in them; her activities and contributions are in this sense more than a sum of their considerable parts,” notes her nomination.

Colleen McQuillen, Associate Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures

McQuillen’s groundbreaking work on Russian modernism, cultural performance and extractive industries has significantly advanced knowledge in her field. She is also a creative teacher and department leader.

“If one were allowed only two phrases to describe Colleen McQuillen, they would be ‘unceasingly innovative’ and ‘determined to make things work,’” her nomination form states.

She has mentored struggling doctoral students to successful dissertation completion while taking on a high level of responsibility, serving  as department chair and interim Russian Language Program dDirector, and supervising the German Language Program. She is currently president-elect of the American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages and is working on a book, Mining the Earth, Fueling Modernity.

Carolyn Phillips, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

A leading researcher in RNA biology, Phillips has sustained an impressive record of scientific achievement through continuous federal funding while at USC Dornsife as well as honors such as the Pew Scholar Award and the March of Dimes Basil O’Connor Award. Her influential scholarship has appeared in top journals.

In her role as director of graduate studies for the molecular biology PhD program, she has provided thoughtful and steady leadership, improving student mentorship, retention and program stability, says her nomination. As co-developer of “Hypothesis Design and Scientific Writing” (BISC 546), she created an course that helped six students secure prestigious fellowships from the National Institutes of Health.

Remo Rohs, Professor of Quantitative and Computational Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science, Medicine and Biomedical Engineering

Rohs has made transformative contributions to research and education at USC Dornsife. His discoveries on DNA shape and transcription factor specificity fundamentally reshaped understanding of gene regulation and established new frameworks now widely used across regulatory genomics and machine learning.

He has published nearly 100 influential papers, secured major grant support and earned recognition as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Society for Computational Biology, and the National Academy of Artificial Intelligence.

As founding chair of the Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, Rohs built a robustly interdisciplinary structure and developed innovative programs that have become a cornerstone of quantitative biology education at USC.

Emily Smith-Greenaway, Dean’s Professor of Sociology and Professor of Sociology and Spatial Sciences

Smith-Greenaway has advanced influential approaches to understanding bereavement, mortality, family dynamics and health inequality, producing research that has reshaped scholarly conversations and informed public understanding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She has earned support from prestigious funding agencies as well as national recognition that includes the ASA Distinguished Early Career Award and a prestigious NSF Mid-Career Award.

At USC Dornsife, she is an award-winning educator and mentor whose courses in demography and population studies are central to undergraduate and doctoral training. Her extensive contributions include service as vice chair of sociology and Dean’s Fellow for the social sciences.

Sherry Velasco, Professor of Latin American and Iberian Cultures and Gender Studies

Velasco has spent her career developing creative and engaging approaches to early modern Spanish literature, helping students connect historical texts to contemporary visual culture and performance.

Her scholarship on gender and sexuality in early modern Spain — including pioneering books on transgender identity, female same-sex desire and gender in the Spanish empire — has been highly regarded among her peers.

Velasco has served multiple terms as department chair, with one stint overlapping with her role as chair of French and Italian, and as Divisional Dean for the Humanities. “While holding this decanal position, Sherry was invariably approachable, available and effective,” says her nomination. She is now directing the PhD program in Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture.

Albert S. Raubenheimer Outstanding Junior Faculty

Jake Monaghan, Assistant Professor of Philosophy

Monaghan’s teaching has received rave reviews from students, who have described his classes as “fantastic,” “great” and “the best class” they have taken at USC. He’s been particularly involved in two of the philosophy department’s most popular degree offerings, Philosophy, Politics and Law, and Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), leading the creation of a new capstone course for advanced PPE students.

His scholarship has drawn significant attention, particularly his 2023 book Just Policing, which has been noted as a major contribution to contemporary debates on policing and justice. After reading his book, the Buffalo Police Department contacted Monaghan to request his assistance on pilot projects related to foot patrols.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a junior colleague demonstrate such a commitment to academic and public service so early in their career,” says his nominating form.

Christina Davidson, Assistant Professor of History

Since arriving at USC Dornsife, Davidson has significantly expanded the department’s offerings in Caribbean history, developing new courses on the Haitian Revolution, Afro–Latin America, and the cultural history of the Caribbean.

Her research examines Black internationalism, religion, race-making, and U.S. empire across the Caribbean and Atlantic world. Her award-winning first book, Dominican Crossroads, has received major recognition, and she is currently at work on her second book, Spiritual Warfare, examining the impact of missionaries in Latin America.

Davidson has contributed actively to undergraduate mentoring, departmental initiatives and professional service, serving continuously on the department’s Undergraduate Studies Committee, and is emerging as a magnet for graduate student interest.

Michael “Doc” Edge, Assistant Professor of Quantitative and Computational Biology

Edge’s work uses large-scale genetic data to address pressing questions about human traits, evolution and genetic privacy. His research has appeared in leading journals and has attracted national media attention, including The New York Times and PBS News.

He has developed multiple core undergraduate and graduate courses and is widely recognized for his dedication to student learning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he met with struggling students one-on-one weekly to ensure they met objectives. His commitment to teaching is reflected in his popular textbook Statistical Thinking from Scratch: A Primer for Scientists.

He has contributed extensively to the department, including key faculty hires, the PhD Admissions Committee, and initiatives focused on culture and belonging in the scientific community.

Sam Silva, Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Population and Public Health Sciences

Silva is building an ambitious research lab spanning environmental data science, atmospheric chemistry, pollution, climate and public health. His work combining machine learning with physical and chemical modeling is reshaping environmental systems research.

In a short period, he has produced an exceptional publication record and secured nearly $3 million in external funding — including a prestigious NSF CAREER Award. “Dr. Silva’s record of scholarship looks more like that of someone going up for tenure than that of someone finishing their fourth year at USC,” says his nomination form.

He has also developed a variety of new courses in environmental data science, climate and health and pollution science and serves as faculty advisor for the undergraduate geology club. Since 2025, he’s been collaborating on a soil testing project assessing the lead content of soil in areas impacted by the Los Angeles fires.

Outstanding Staff Awards

Melissa Hernandez-Beatty, Academic Program Manager, Academic Support Hub – Social Sciences

Hernandez-Beatty has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills across her nearly two decades of support to the Department of Sociology and, more recently, the Social Sciences Hub.

Since joining USC in 2007, she has advanced through multiple administrative roles, consistently demonstrating professionalism, initiative and care for students, faculty and staff alike.

During the transition to the Hub model, Hernandez-Beatty has played a central role in maintaining continuity across departments and ensuring that essential processes continue smoothly.

Katherine Guevarra, Academic Program Manager, Academic Support Hub – Humanities

Guevarra has been an indispensable presence within USC’s humanities programs for more than 15 years. Known for her calm problem-solving and deep institutional knowledge, she has managed the complexities of interdisciplinary graduate programs, supported international students through difficult visa and immigration processes, and stepped in during moments of crisis to keep departmental operations running smoothly.

As the academic program manager,, she has played a crucial role in guiding several departments through the transition to the new Humanities Hub model.

“Her drive and determination are coupled not only with exceptional acumen but also with a rare commitment to community building at all levels of the university,” notes her nomination.

Christopher Huntley, IT Director of Operations, Dornsife Technology Services

As a leader in enterprise systems and infrastructure operations, Huntley has overseen major improvements to USC Dornsife’s security environment, cloud and on-premises systems, and operational reliability. His efforts have significantly enhanced the College’s resilience in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Beyond his technical accomplishments, Huntley is widely valued for his collaborative approach and steady leadership on high-impact initiatives. He he has become a trusted resource and key contributor to the College’s long-term strategic success.

Dieuwertje Jasmijn Kast, Director of STEM Education Programs at the Joint Educational Project (JEP)

At JEP, Kast develops hands-on learning experiences that make complex scientific ideas accessible and engaging for young students and teachers, contributing to one of the university’s most longstanding and beloved outreach programs.

Among her most influential accomplishments is the creation of the STEAM-Powered Careers children’s book series, a collaboration that has reached tens of thousands of students. She has also built strong partnerships across USC and with external organizations. Equally important is her commitment to mentorship, fostering the growth of USC student educators while cultivating inclusive and forward-looking programming.

Karen Young, Academic Program Manager, Academic Support Hub – Math and Physical Sciences

A USC alumna and longtime administrator, Young is widely admired for her extraordinary dedication to USC Dornsife.

Whether helping departments navigate the transition to the new hub model or coordinating research support in remote field locations — including funding for mules so a research team could bring samples down a mountain — Young approaches every challenge with professionalism and genuine care.

“In the almost five years that I have worked at USC in the Earth sciences department, it has become clear to me that Karen Young is the biggest reason the department functions at a high level on a day-to-day basis,” says one nominator.