8 inventions created by USC Dornsife alumni
As the largest and oldest academic unit at the university, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences has a long history of developing innovative leaders. Some of our alumni have shaped the world we live in with their creations, demonstrating the power of a liberal arts degree from USC Dornsife — the academic core of USC.
Eye on the Prize
Millions of people around the globe have restored their vision with laser eye surgery, which owes a big debt to a Trojan alumnus. Rangaswamy Srinivasan, a 1956 chemistry graduate, invented an interaction between laser radiation and living tissue that became an integral technique for LASIK eye surgery. He credits his time as a USC Dornsife student, working on the chemistry of proteins, as the inspiration to study this process. He was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Barak Obama in 2013.
Tubular Trojan
Surfer, inventor and musician Tom Morey ’57 is the definition of a modern Renaissance man. After graduation from USC Dornsife with a degree in mathematics, he worked at Douglas Aircraft on projects involving composite materials. He applied that knowledge to surfboards, which led to his invention in 1971 of the bodyboard, which he dubbed the “boogie board” due to his love of music. He’s been developing pioneering surfboard technology ever since while also playing ukele and drums alongside musicians like Dizzy Gillepsie and Bud Shank. See the Orange County Register’s 2017 profile of Tom.
Hunting Down Cancer
Alan Nelson has been fighting for the eradication of cancer since he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physics from USC Dornsife in 1974. He holds 139 patents, including one for the world’s first machine to automate cervical cancer screening. He also developed the first 3D cell imaging platform, which helps early detection of lung cancer. Watch a video about Alan.
Seeing Through the Storm
Alisa Rogers, who graduated in 1979 with a master’s degree in chemistry, and her husband Philip formed two multimillion-dollar companies around their various sensor and fiber optic inventions. They’ve developed a laser wind sensor that allows helicopters to land safely in dust and sand storms, crucial technology for desert combat. Their miniaturized handheld laser wind sensor helps sailing teams win cups and assists first responders in disaster scenarios. Read a profile of Alisa.
Jetson Fuel
Steve Fabijanski developed a strain of the North African carinata plant that contains high levels of oil and protein. Once processed, it’s chemically identical to jet fuel but produces 77% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Fabijanski, who earned his Ph.D. in biology in 1981, hopes that half of the 79 billion gallons of fuel used annually by the airline industry will eventually be replaced by his carinata biojet fuel. Read a profile of Steve.
A Trojan Meets Nike
If you’re wearing a pair of Nikes right now, you might just have some Trojan innovation on your feet. Michael Bergmann ’83 jointly holds the patent on a durable rubber compound that is used in many Nike shoes. He cites his time as a USC Dornsife international relations major as fundamental to his successful, decades-long career with Nike. “My focus in international relations allowed me to look at all sides of an issue, whether it was from a company standpoint, a government standpoint or a cultural standpoint.” Read a profile of Michael.
Analyzing the Web
When Brett Crosby graduated with degrees in international relations and political science in 1995, he didn’t know a whole lot about starting a company. He did have Trojan gumption though, and although his first start-up failed, his second took off. Urchin Software Corporation became so adept at analyzing websites that it was acquired by Google and became the underpinning for Google Analytics. Crosby retains a connection to USC, speaking to students in economics and business classes, and offering an undergraduate internship at his real estate company PeerStreet. Read a profile of Brett.
From Trash to Treats
Environmental studies graduate Kaitlin Mogentale ’15 was alarmed to discover the waste generated by making juice: the piles of discarded produce mash that go into just a single glass. So, in typical Trojan tradition, she came up with a solution. Her company Pulp Pantry makes use of the discarded pulp from juicing to create high-fiber products like crisps, granola and baking flours. Read a profile of Kaitlin.