Pinchas Cohen, MD
Distinguished Professor of Gerontology, Medicine and Biological Sciences
Dean, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
William and Sylvia Kugel Dean’s Chair in Gerontology
Sean Curran, PhD
Professor of Gerontology
Vice Dean
Dean of Faculty and Research
James E. Birren Chair in Gerontology
Maria Henke, MA
Senior Associate Dean
Co-director of the Andrus Gerontology Center
David Eshaghpour, MSW
Senior Associate Dean for Advancement
Jennifer Ailshire, PhD
Professor of Gerontology and Sociology
Associate Dean of Research
Associate Dean of International Programs and Global Initiatives
Donna Benton, PhD
Research Associate Professor of Gerontology
Assistant Dean of Cultural Affairs
Mireille Jacobson, PhD
Professor of Gerontology
Assistant Dean of Academic Initiatives
Christian Pike, PhD
Professor of Gerontology
Assistant Dean of Research
John Walsh, PhD
Associate Professor of Gerontology
Associate Dean of Education
Lali Acuna
Senior Business Officer
Wendy Snaer
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
Executive Assistant
Natasha Reyes
Executive Assistant
Phone: (213) 740-1354
Email: Reye426@usc.edu
Student Services
Maria Henke, MA
Senior Associate Dean
Phone: 213-740-1363
Email: mhenke@usc.edu
Gino Andreano
Student Services Advisor
Email: gandrean@usc.edu
Virali Bavadiya, MEd
Student Services Advisor
Phone: 213-740-8823
Email: bavadiya@usc.edu
Jim deVera, MMFT
Student Advisor
Phone: 213-740-1729
Email: edevera@usc.edu
Jazmin Dizon
Admission Counselor
Phone: 213-740-0064
Email: jazmindi@usc.edu
Angela Estrada
Admission Counselor
Phone: 213-821-3003
Email: angelae6@usc.edu
Lisa Huynh
Admission Counselor
Phone: 213-740-5426
Email: lisahuyn@usc.edu
Laura Kauffman, MS, RD, CNSC
Clinical Preceptor and Internship Coordinator, Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics
Email: Ldkauffm@usc.edu
Leigh Lloyd
Administrative Assistant
Email: lplloyd@usc.edu
Jennifer Lobato
Student Services Advisor
Email: jlobato@usc.edu
Jacob Maish
Admission Counselor
Email: jmaish@usc.edu
May Ng
Director of International Student Initiatives
Phone: 213-740-1727
Email: mayng@usc.edu
Anna Quyen Nguyen
Career Services Specialist
Phone: 213-821-5577
Email: annaquyen.nguyen@usc.edu
Sara Robinson, MS
Student Services Manager
Phone: 213-740-1728
Email: sararobi@usc.edu
Steven Stumph, MA
Admission Counselor
Email: stumph@usc.edu
Jeannie Wakamatsu, MPH, RDN
Program Manager and Internship Coordinator,
Coordinated Program in Nutrition and Dietetics
Email: wakamats@usc.edu
Human Resources
Wendy Snaer
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
Phone: 213-821‑4643
Email: wsnaer@usc.edu
Ashley Davis
Human Resources and Payroll Coordinator
Email: davisash@usc.edu
Shevani Devaraj
Human Resources and Payroll Assistant
Email: sdevaraj@usc.edu
Emily Guerra
Human Resources and Payroll Assistant
Email: emilygue@usc.edu
Megan Huynh
Human Resources and Payroll Assistant
Email: mehuynh@usc.edu
Lisa Lainez
Human Resources and Payroll Coordinator
Email: lisalain@usc.edu
Business Office
Lali Acuna
Senior Business Officer
Phone: 213-740-1495
Email: maria.acuna@usc.edu
Theresa Adams
Associate Research Administrator
Phone: 213-821-1791
Email: theresaa@usc.edu
Karen Alvarez
Assistant Research Administrator
Phone: 213-821-7447
Email: karenmal@usc.edu
David Baker
Assistant Research Administrator – Post Award
Email: bakerdav@usc.edu
Linda Hall
Research Administrator
Phone: 213-740-8242
Email: linda.hall@usc.edu
Maricela Rodriguez
Associate Manager for the Business Office
Phone: 213-740-9505
Email: rodri24@usc.edu
Mary Scott
Associate Business Administrator
Email: mscott88@usc.edu
Shireen Tsang
Administrative Assistant
Phone: 213-740-6060
Email: stsang@usc.edu
Online Program
Jim Alejandre
Director of Distance Learning Programs
Phone: 213-740-1703
Email: jalejand@usc.edu
Erwin Recinos
Distance Learning Systems Specialist
Email: erwinrec@usc.edu
Isais Tepox
Distance Education Operations Supervisor
Email: tepox@usc.edu
Computing Services
May Ng
IT Director
Phone: 213-740-1727
Email: mayng@usc.edu
Communications Office
Beth Newcomb, MPH
Senior Editor
Phone: 213-740-0821
Email: bethdunh@usc.edu
Natalie “Nat” Avunjian
Senior Web & Digital Media Specialist
Phone: 213-740-2954
Email: avunjian@usc.edu
Development Office
Phone: 213-740-0777
Email: gerodev@usc.edu
David Eshaghpour, MSW
Senior Associate Dean for Advancement
Phone: 213-740-1360
Email: eshaghpo@usc.edu
Jennifer Walters-Munoz, MCM
Senior Development Officer
Phone: 213-740-0777
Email: jawalter@usc.edu
Kelly Hagen
Development Coordinator
Phone: 213-740-1361
Email: hagenk@usc.edu
Aging-Related Areas We Explore
We approach gerontology through multiple lenses, exploring the biological, psychological, sociological, political, medical and business dimensions of adult life. This interdisciplinary, collaborative approach helps students make critical connections and launch rewarding careers.
Our expertise spans multiple domains, empowering us to advance areas including:
Gerontology research
We’re driving innovations in genetic research and big data analytics to unlock better treatment and prevention for age-related diseases. Our research teams investigate areas such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other memory issues
- Bioinformatics, biology, genomics and genetics of aging
- Demography and sociology of aging, social determinants of health, disparities in minority populations
- Drug discovery and development
- Healthy aging, personalized nutrition and nutrigenomics, disease prevention, stress adaptation and resistance
- Longevity and mechanisms in aging
- Neuroscience, cognition and brain aging
Applied and translational research on aging
Gerontology’s influence extends far beyond medicine to business, government and many other arenas. For instance, consumer technologies such as self-driving cars and digital apps can support independence, social connection and health for older adults. We’re spearheading initiatives in:
- Economics of aging, financial security and well-being
- Fraud and abuse prevention
- Aging from a global, multicultural perspective
- The “longevity economy,” or economic activity driven by older adults
- Technology and product development
Aging policy and aging services
Aging doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and supporting healthy aging requires all of us to get involved. We’re working to integrate aging issues with other, larger sustainability and community initiatives through:
- Age-friendly communities, personalized aging
- Caregiving, including nutrition, aging in place and fall prevention
- End-of-life planning and care, palliative care
- Long-term care, memory care
- Safe homes and environments, elder abuse prevention
- Social security and support
Aging-Related Areas We Explore
We approach gerontology through multiple lenses, exploring the biological, psychological, sociological, political, medical and business dimensions of adult life. This interdisciplinary, collaborative approach helps students make critical connections and launch rewarding careers.
Our expertise spans multiple domains, empowering us to advance areas including:
Gerontology research
We’re driving innovations in genetic research and big data analytics to unlock better treatment and prevention for age-related diseases. Our research teams investigate areas such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other memory issues
- Bioinformatics, biology, genomics and genetics of aging
- Demography and sociology of aging, social determinants of health, disparities in minority populations
- Drug discovery and development
- Healthy aging, personalized nutrition and nutrigenomics, disease prevention, stress adaptation and resistance
- Longevity and mechanisms in aging
- Neuroscience, cognition and brain aging
Applied and translational research on aging
Gerontology’s influence extends far beyond medicine to business, government and many other arenas. For instance, consumer technologies such as self-driving cars and digital apps can support independence, social connection and health for older adults. We’re spearheading initiatives in:
- Economics of aging, financial security and well-being
- Fraud and abuse prevention
- Aging from a global, multicultural perspective
- The “longevity economy,” or economic activity driven by older adults
- Technology and product development
Aging policy and aging services
Aging doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and supporting healthy aging requires all of us to get involved. We’re working to integrate aging issues with other, larger sustainability and community initiatives through:
- Age-friendly communities, personalized aging
- Caregiving, including nutrition, aging in place and fall prevention
- End-of-life planning and care, palliative care
- Long-term care, memory care
- Safe homes and environments, elder abuse prevention
- Social security and support
