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© 2025 Viterbi Voices: The Podcast
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Welcome to life at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Classes, student organizations, faculty, research, hands-on projects, and don't forget our social lives outside of class - it's all up for discussion with regular appearances and interviews with special guests. Viterbi Voices: The Podcast is hosted by Paul Ledesma (Executive Director, Undergraduate Admission) and current student Hannah Fonseca (Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2027).
382 Episodes
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In this episode, Mitchell Kirby (Civil Engineering ’26) who is Founder and President of the Association of Energy Engineers sits down with David Moseley (Environmental Engineering ‘27) the AEE Design Teams Lead & Marine Energy Design Team Lead and Reeth Kawad (Mechanical Engineering ‘26) the AEE Outreach Lead & Wind Design Team Lead to talk about USC’s Hub for all things renewable energy— the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). Founded last December as an official USC Registered St...
In this episode, Gerson (BME '26) sits down with Dominic (BME '27) and Jaron (BME '26) to chat about their involvement in the Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering (ASBME). They reflect on the impact ASBME has had on their careers and personal lives, all while sharing fun anecdotes. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! If you're planning on applying as a First-Year student for Fall 2026, go to https://apply.commonapp.org/login?ma=492 to start your ...
In this episode, Jessica (AME '28) sits down with Hannah (BME '28) to talk about her role as a Build Lead and Lab Manager of USC's student-led AeroDesign Team. Hannah shares an exclusive insight into the team's aircraft design process, the ins and outs of their lab space, and her path to team leadership as an underclassman. This conversion explores how students interested in hands on experience can get involved in design teams, develop valuable life skills, and still make time to explore vibr...
In this episode, Paul sits down with Daisy Benitez, an environmental engineer at PepsiCo, to talk about her work in global sustainability initiatives, her journey from engineering student to sustainability professional, and her experiences living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Daisy shares insights on reducing plastic use, developing sustainable packaging, and why sustainability has become a business imperative. Along the way, she reflects on her time at USC and her involvement in SHPE and st...
In this episode, Paul reconnects with Viterbi alumna Alex Coco, Amazon AIR manager, to discuss his path from earning both a B.S. in Astronautical Engineering and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at USC to building a career in aerospace and logistics. Alex reflects on his professional journey from Boeing to Amazon, the lessons he carried forward from his time at USC, and how he has developed systems to balance work, family, and personal priorities. They also revisit formative study abroad exp...
In this episode, Paul and Hannah sit down with Lauren (Howe) Johnson to reflect on the twists and turns of her USC journey, from navigating indecision around majors to finding unexpected opportunities in engineering, leadership, and travel. Lauren shares how studying abroad in Rome shaped her perspective, how she used data to improve admissions strategy, and what transitioning from consulting to program management at Intuit was like. Lauren's USC Reaction Picture & 'Bey Day': https://vite...
In this episode, Paul sits down with Erik Johnson and Gaurav Sukhatme to discuss the launch of a brand-new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree program coming in Fall 2026. Together, they explore how the program was developed, the three specialized tracks it will offer, and what makes it distinct from computer science and other engineering majors. The conversation also covers AI’s growing role across industries, the importance of ethics in AI education, and how USC is prepari...
In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumna Makana Krulce to explore her journey from studying polymers at USC to working in global pharmaceutical consulting. Makana shares how her hands-on experience in Germany shaped her career, reflects on founding the USC student organization Queers in Engineering, Science, and Technology (QUEST), and discusses the challenges of bringing cutting-edge therapies to market. They also dive into the role of chemical engineering in everyday products, fr...
In this episode, Paul sits down with Jennifer, a college admission counselor best known as Jenn the Tutor, to debunk myths and misconceptions about getting into college. Jennifer shares her journey from law school to education, her community-oriented approach to guiding students, and why she believes authenticity matters more than chasing prestige. They dive into how social media and cultural pressures fuel admission anxiety, the importance of finding a school that truly fits, and practical s...
In this episode, Paul speaks with Viterbi alumna Natalie Dana (Alvarez) about her interdisciplinary path through civil engineering and architecture, her career in sustainable construction at Turner Construction, and how her time at USC, from study abroad to football games, shaped her journey. They also discuss the future of engineering education, AI literacy, and the evolving role of universities in a rapidly changing world. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! If yo...
Welcome to Viterbi Voice Season 11! In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumna Pooja Sharma Rao to talk about her unique career journey at the intersection of medicine, engineering, and business. From hands-on experiences in cadaver labs to developing and marketing medical devices, Pooja shares how her time at USC prepared her for a dynamic career in the healthcare industry. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! If you're planning on applying as a First-Year ...
Join us for Saafiyah's last podcast as our co-host! Saafiyah and Paul wrap up season 10 of the Viterbi Voices podcast and introduce the next co-host... Hannah! They reflect on Saafiyah's year as co-host, share plans for the end of the semester, and discuss what’s next for the podcast. Signing off, see you all in August! Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! If you're planning on applying as a First-Year student for Fall 2026, go to https://apply.commonapp.org/login?ma...
In this episode, Satwika talks with 5th year PhD student Nathan Justin about his take on software engineering, CS ethics and his journey towards a PhD. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! If you're planning on applying as a First-Year student for Fall 2026, go to https://apply.commonapp.org/login?ma=492 to start your application now! More on deadlines and how we run admission is at https://viterbiadmission.usc.edu/apply.
In this episode, Jessica (AME ‘28) sits down with Emma (ASTE ‘28), Norah (ECE ‘28), and Alan (ASTE ‘28) to explore what it's like balancing the rigors of engineering with their passion for music. From acapella rehearsals to band camp, they dive into what inspired them to continue learning and performing music, how they got involved in their current music organizations at USC, and give insightful advice on managing problem sets and practice sessions. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be o...
In this episode, Michaela (CHE ‘27) sits down with Zoe (CHE ‘27) to discuss what chemical engineering is really like, keys to success in a challenging major, balancing academics and fun clubs, and finding joy with friends and self-care at USC. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! If you're planning on applying as a First-Year student for Fall 2026, go to https://apply.commonapp.org/login?ma=492 to start your application now! More on deadlines and how we ru...
In this episode, Keilani (CSBA ‘27) talks to Ellis (CS ‘28) about the underlooked significance of journalism and science communications for STEM-related issues applicable to the real world. They discuss how accessible newsletters and publications can be used to garner traction towards wider issues such as sustainability, computer science, and engineering as an overall discipline, while also highlighting the current information crisis within big media creating boundaries for this information. ...
In this episode, Saafiyah sits down with USC students from various majors and years to unpack their college decision journeys. From the factors that guided their choices to what surprised them most after arriving, they reflect on what drew them to USC and how their perspectives have evolved since. Tune in to hear why each of them ultimately chose to join the Trojan Family! Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! If you're planning on applying as a First-Year student for...
In this episode, Sarah talks to 5 BME students (Ishaani '26, Cedric '28, Matthew '26, Hidaya '27, and Dominic '27) about their minors outside of engineering. With minors ranging from Spanish to cinematic arts to human rights, they all have different perspectives to share about how they explore their non-engineering passions at USC and fit minor coursework into their packed engineering schedules. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! If you're planning on applying as a...
In this special 10th anniversary episode, we reunite with past co-hosts to reflect on our podcast journey. We discuss behind-the-scenes mishaps, what's changed at Viterbi over the past decade, and how the show has evolved. Tune in for a deep dive into the podcast's past and to find out what our former co-hosts are up to now! Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode! If you're planning on applying as a First-Year student for Fall 2026, go to https://apply.commonapp.org/log...
In this episode, Hannah (ME '27) sits down with Naina and Jay from CAIS++ to dive into the world of AI for social good. They discuss how the Center for AI in Society Student Branch is using artificial intelligence to tackle real-world problems, what it's like to be part of an AI-focused student organization, and how aspiring engineers can get involved in ethical AI research. Tune in to hear their insights on the future of AI, the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the impact s...
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