“Coming into the program, I thought it would enhance my work in senior living, which I loved,” Redman says. “But it has opened my eyes to so much more. I’m thinking a lot bigger and broader.”

Finding new solutions to the challenges of aging

The USC Leonard Davis School established the Master of Science in Applied Technology and Aging (MSATA) degree to train a new generation of leaders. The program aims to help students like Redman be fluent in both the science of aging and the application of advanced technology.

“Our goal is not just to have a degree, but to make USC a hub of Age Tech — a leading force in aging and technology with educational programs, with fundamental research, translation, fostering and incubating technologies, and serving as the nexus of academia, industry and investment partners in this field,” says USC Leonard Davis School Dean Pinchas Cohen, Distinguished Professor of Gerontology, Medicine and Biological Sciences.

The MSATA curriculum includes classes in gerontology and how technology can support older adults’ health, independence and safety. USC Leonard Davis designed the program for a wide range of professionals in fields such as senior living, healthcare and engineering.

An exceptional program delivered by leading experts

Redman enjoyed the mix of courses she took and the hands-on expertise of the faculty. “Professors like Adjunct Lecturer Manuel Acevedo aren’t just academics; they’re pioneers who develop tech companies like HelpfulVillage.com, which helps older adults live longer in their own homes,” Redman says. “I was also impressed with Lecturers Jim Biggs and Joshua Johnson MAG ’09 who manage senior living communities across the country.”

Many classes also featured prominent guest speakers, including company executives and insiders from the state of California. They shared their perspectives on aging and the future of technology.

One of the most impactful classes for Redman was GERO 568: Adaptive Age-Friendly Environments and Injury Prevention. Taught by Professor Emeritus Jon Pynoos, this course emphasized the importance of accessible environments and how to evaluate accessibility. “It made me notice design with different eyes, especially in the senior living community I was working in,” Redman says.

Combining interests in senior living and technology

Redman’s path to the MSATA program included a variety of experiences. As a financial planner, she helped many older adults manage their retirement assets to leave legacies. Part of her role included teaching older adults about Medicare.

While serving as an executive administrative assistant for a long-term care facility operator, Redman’s boss told her she’d make a good facility leader. Redman took this encouragement to heart, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in health administration and an administrator’s license.

Although she didn’t have formal training in computer science or information technology, Redman has always been the office go-to for tech issues. “In the early days of the internet, I taught myself to create websites and have kept up with the evolution of technology ever since,” she says.

With these unique skills and much enthusiasm, she landed a job as digital innovation director at a Newport Beach assisted living community. In this position, she provided IT support and developed technology training programs for staff and residents.

Redman quickly moved up the ladder at the community, becoming assistant executive director. She also started thinking about a master’s degree.

“It had to be USC”

The USC Leonard Davis School is renowned in the world of gerontology. Founded in 1975, it’s the oldest and largest educational institution on aging.

Over her career, Redman had encountered many influential alums, including Katy Fike MSG ’06, PhD ’09 and Rick Matros MSG ’77. USC also offered a robust distance learning program that was essential for Redman. “I looked around at other gerontology programs and nothing compared,” she says. “I knew that it had to be USC.”

Redman started speaking to an admissions counselor about the different master’s programs. Her counselor asked about her background, interests and educational goals and suggested the new MSATA degree. “My nature is to be curious, and I’ve always leaned toward taking the road less traveled. So, that’s the program I chose,” she says.

Balancing school and work

Redman completed her degree in two years while working full time. She attended classes online, sometimes live and sometimes asynchronously. Her employer was accommodating, allowing her to adjust her schedule as needed.

USC Leonard Davis School offers many ways for online students to connect with the faculty and each other. “Meeting other people, building friendships and networks is a huge part of the USC experience,” Redman says. “When I could, I attended events in person, although I still haven’t made it to a football game.”

Opening a world of possibilities

Redman graduated from the MSATA program in May 2024 and spent a year as executive director of an assisted living and dementia care community in Irvine. She’s now looking to do something different. That new opportunity may include teaching, working with a tech startup or focusing on policy issues.

“There are so many possibilities,” Redman says. “I have a lifetime of practical experience and a degree that gives me credibility in this field. I’m excited and feel prepared to start fresh.”

To learn more about the Master of Science in Applied Technology and Aging (MSATA) degree at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, call us at (213) 740-5156.

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What have been some of your most interesting/impactful experiences as a student here at the Leonard Davis School?

Ruvalcaba: My favorite experiences that I have had as a student at the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology have been the ones that I have made as a result of being a part of the GEMSTEM research program. Through this program, I have met some of the most amazing and hard-working individuals. Additionally, my mentors Jennifer Ailshire and Margarita Osuna have constantly supported me and pushed me to reach my full potential. Their guidance has been instrumental in shaping my research skills and professional development. For this, I am extremely grateful.

What does it mean to you to be recognized as a Fulbright Scholar?

Ruvalcaba: Receiving a Fulbright Research Scholarship is an extraordinary honor and a profound milestone in my academic journey. I am incredibly grateful for this amazing opportunity.

What will your Fulbright research be about? 

Ruvalcaba: Through the study that I hope to conduct with my affiliating researcher, Dr. Carlos Alberto Cano Gutiérrez from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, I aim to develop, implement, and evaluate a telecare intervention to promote healthy aging among older adults in Bogotá, Colombia. This clinical trial will prioritize implementing a person-centered approach, incorporating social support, and case-management to contribute to the healthy aging of the older adults it serves.

What are your long-term goals following graduation and your Fulbright research?

Ruvalcaba: My long-term goals following graduation are to pursue a career in medicine, focusing on geriatric medicine.

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“If you live longer and healthier, can you more clearly see the changes that occur across generations, such as climate change?” Dalton says. “Would you find more meaning in life?”

These deep questions led Dalton to his life’s work — studying the cellular mechanisms of aging and disease.

A school dedicated to the study of aging

Dalton came to USC to pursue a PhD in 2012 after receiving a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Michigan. “When looking for a PhD program, I only applied to universities that had strong aging programs,” Dalton says. “Of course, USC had an entire school of gerontology.”

During the PhD recruiting process, Dalton met Sean Curran, professor of gerontology and molecular and computational biology, who offered him a rotation in his lab. Curran would eventually become Dalton’s graduate student mentor.

Dalton’s official program of study at USC was Molecular & Computational Biology, but he spent most of his time at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. There, he found the broad view of aging he was looking for as well as opportunities to participate in pioneering research.

An immersive experience

At USC, Dalton immersed himself in his lab work and classes and found kinship with his fellow students. They ate lunch together, studied together and worked late in the lab.

The USC Leonard Davis School offers many opportunities for students and faculty to learn and socialize. Dalton loved the weekly seminars that covered a wide range of aging-related topics. He also recalls frequent gatherings in the building’s courtyard that often featured Mediterranean-style food. The Mediterranean Diet is often cited as one of the best for health and longevity.

Curran also provided strong guidance and support. “He’s a wonderful human being and was always positive and encouraging,” Dalton says. “I could be feeling down about my project and after talking to him, I’d feel like everything was okay. He could talk me through the most difficult times.”

Understanding the mechanisms of aging

In Curran’s lab, Dalton studied longevity in the nematode C. elegans. Previous work showed that impairing protein synthesis in adult worms led to a longer lifespan. The worms also had better health and were resistant to stressors such as heat and free radicals. .

“My goal was to understand this observation from a developmental perspective,” he says. “During my experiments, I impaired protein synthesis in young worms with the hope of understanding of what’s happening later in life.”

Dalton found that young worms with impaired protein synthesis entered a state of arrested development. They were alive but were not growing or developing. And when he restored protein synthesis, the worms started growing again and made it to adulthood.

Additional research suggested that this mechanism evolved to protect the worms from adverse environmental conditions, such as toxins. If they encountered a toxin that reduced protein synthesis, they halt their development and gain stress resistance. When the toxin was gone, protein synthesis turned back on and the worms continued to grow into adults.

“We think that adult worms may activate a similar pathway as arrested development when we reduce protein synthesis,” Dalton says. “Our hypothesis is that these longevity benefits occur because of the protective mechanism that evolved during development,” Dalton says.

Grants to support graduate student research

The USC Leonard Davis School supports graduate student research with T32 training grants. The funding for these competitive grants comes from the National Institute of Aging.

Dalton received T32 funding for one year under the supervision of University Professors Eileen Crimmins and Caleb Finch. As part of the grant, Dalton worked on a project that studied air pollution, stress and aging and coauthored several papers based on the results.

The T32 grant also required Dalton to take a gerontology class co-taught by Crimmins and Finch. “The class incorporated both population- and biology-based aging research that drew on the strengths of each teacher,” Dalton said. “I’m a biologist by training, but the Davis School provided me with a more holistic view in understanding aging.”

Dalton also received a prestigious Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service fellowship (F31) from the National Institute of Health. This award funded two years of research in Dr. Curran’s lab.

Opportunities to attend national and international conferences

It is an expectation for PhD students to publish and present their work. Dalton attended conferences at UCLA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In May 2017, Dalton attended the Aging and Mechanisms of Aging-Related Disease Symposium in Yokohama, Japan. “I was very lucky to have the opportunity to travel internationally,” he says. “I presented my work as a poster and savored attending all the talks on the molecular biology of aging.”

Postdoc and beyond

Dalton is currently completing a postdoc in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah. He studies the cellular mechanisms that cause rare genetic diseases called congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs). CDGs cause a wide range of neurological and other health problems. Dr. Dalton hopes his work will lead to new therapies for people with CDGs.

With his postdoc coming to an end, Dalton applied to several faculty positions to create his own lab. That meant a lot of applications and interviews, and Curran continued to advise Dalton. “We talked about the interview process on Zoom,” he says. “Dr. Curran and other USC faculty have also written me letters of support for grants. Even at this stage, they continue to help me and are interested in my long-term success.” Thanks in part to their support, Dalton was hired and will be beginning his own lab at the University of Kansas in August 2024.

To learn more about PhD programs at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, call us at (213) 740-5156.

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“I’ve always had an attraction to the hustle and bustle of the entertainment industry,” Anthony says. “But when I got there, I realized it wasn’t my calling.”

At the time, Anthony would occasionally take her grandma, who was in treatment for breast cancer, to follow-up medical visits. During one appointment, they met with a dietitian. “She talked to my grandma about how healthier eating habits could help her tolerate chemotherapy better,” Anthony says. “I thought, ‘whoa,’ they’re using food as medicine.”

That experience would change the trajectory of Anthony’s career.

From PR to nutrition: a slow journey

Anthony’s undergraduate degree in communications was from USC, so that’s where she started searching for a master’s program in nutrition. She quickly found the Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity at USC’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. 

The program excited Anthony, but the prerequisites intimidated her. “I didn’t take any science classes as an undergrad and never thought I could be good at science,” she says.

So, she put her dreams on the back burner and kept working in PR. After nearly two years, Anthony made a deal with herself. She’d take two prerequisite classes at Santa Monica City College. If she got A’s in those classes, she’d quit her job, move in with her parents and return to school full time. 

“I worked all day, took classes at night and managed to get two A’s,” Anthony says. “I quit my job and immersed myself in finishing the prerequisites.” It took her a year and a half and seven junior colleges to find the coursework she needed. She finally started at USC Leonard Davis School in 2018. 

MS program offers broad training and path to RD certification

The MS in Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity is a two-year program. The first year focuses on coursework. 

Not having any medical background, Anthony was nervous about the clinical classes. Her professors, such as clinical professor of medicine Kurt Hong, MD, helped her overcome her fear. “Dr. Hong made complex topics, like disease states and calculating tube feeds, easy to understand, interesting and fun,” she says. 

In year two, students complete more coursework plus the 1,200 hours of fieldwork needed to take the Registered Dietitian exam. “The fieldwork component is a unique benefit among schools that offer master’s programs in nutrition,” Anthony says. “Usually, you receive your master’s degree and have to apply for field placements on your own. USC coordinates this for you.”

The fieldwork placements include a broad range of settings, such as:

• Community nutrition
• Medical nutrition therapy
• Private practice
• Sports nutrition

Coming into the program, Anthony wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. “Through the fieldwork, I had the opportunity to try out all the different things I could do with this degree,” she says. “Field placements also provided an opportunity to make connections. Many of my classmates came out of the program with job offers from their fieldwork sites.” 

Finding work during the pandemic

Anthony graduated in the spring of 2020 when there were few job options due to the pandemic. Though her goal was not to work in a clinical role, she accepted a job in November 2020 in long-term care. 

“I wanted to be on the frontlines and help in any way I could,” Anthony says. “I traveled around to nursing homes, assessing pressure sores and calculating tube feeds. COVID-19 hit the nursing homes hard — the work was emotionally difficult.”

Fortunately, Anthony’s dream job was just around the corner. 

Securing a place in corporate wellness

Anthony knew she wanted to combine her creative PR background with her nutrition education. While still in school, a friend connected her with a dietitian at a gaming corporation called Riot Games. Anthony shadowed her and became fascinated with practicing nutrition in a corporate setting.

“I knew those jobs were few and far between, so I sent her my resume and kept in contact,” Anthony says. “When I was working in the nursing homes, I saw a generic ad for a corporate wellness professional without mention of the company name. I emailed the dietitian at Riot Games to find out if she had any information about the job. I didn’t hear back but received a call from her boss. It turned out that the job opening was at Riot Games. The dietitian had left and had given her boss my resume.” 

Anthony has been at Riot Games since April 2021 and loves the work. As the on-site dietitian, she coordinates everything nutrition-related across company locations in Santa Monica, St. Louis, Seattle and Redwood City. Her job duties include:

• Educating employees with blog posts and campus-wide placement of nutrition information
• Ensuring snack pantries have a range of healthy options
• Posting nutrition facts for all foods served on campus
• Setting up weekly tabling events to talk to employees about nutrition-related topics 
• Working with the culinary team to develop meals served on the Riot Games campus

As the company champion for healthy eating, Anthony’s communication and PR skills have been indispensable. “A big part of this job is approaching people and talking to them,” she says. “My background in PR has made that easy for me.”

A future of possibilities

When she thinks about the future, Anthony envisions starting her own consulting firm. “Corporations are realizing the importance of helping their employees maintain good health and how that can enhance productivity,” she says. “I’d love to work with companies that don’t have dietitians. I could offer services such as wellness talks, curation of meals, and individual consultations with employees.”

But for now, Anthony is happy to continue learning and growing. She also gives back to USC Leonard Davis School by participating in alumni panels and volunteer events. “USC is so special to me. Whenever there’s an opportunity to be involved, I’m always there.”

To learn more about the Master of Science of Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity degree program at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, call us at (213) 740-5156. 

Top photo: Stephanie Kleinman

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Assuming a leadership position can be challenging, especially during a global pandemic. But Whitaker had a support team at his fingertips. His enrollment in USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology’s Master of Arts in Senior Living Hospitality (MASLH) Program gave him access to experts.

Whitaker says, “I was taking classes that were directly related to my day-to-day work. Not only did the classes help me navigate COVID-19, they also helped accelerate my development as a leader in my community.”

First student to obtain Certificate in Hospitality from Cornell University

The MASLH program offers a unique approach to training future leaders in the senior living industry. Students can earn a Certificate in Hospitality from Cornell University’s Hotel School along with their MASLH from USC Leonard Davis School.

Cornell uses an online platform called eCornell. Each class is two weeks long and broken up into digestible pieces. Students watch short videos, take quizzes and participate in online discussions with classmates from around the world.

Whitaker was among the initial cohort of MASLH students in 2019. He’s the first to complete the 17 classes needed to earn a Certificate in Hospitality. Though he still has two USC classes left to earn his MASLH, he is thrilled to have reached this milestone.

Whitaker says, “The classes offered through eCornell brought my master’s experience to another level. The interaction with professionals in the hotel industry was invaluable. And the courses that I was taking concurrently through eCornell and USC complemented each other perfectly. It shows the thoughtful planning by USC Leonard Davis and Cornell in developing this program.”

Training to solve real-world problems

They say timing is everything. For Whitaker, the MASLH program offered exactly what he needed, when he needed it.

As COVID-19 emerged in the spring of 2020, Whitaker was taking a course in leadership and management. He says, “The class reminded me to focus on the big picture, which was to keep people safe. I quickly took on roles outside of my traditional job description. For example, communicating with residents and their families was critical, so I started sending out daily updates. To date, I’ve sent out well over 300.”

Whitaker also assisted the nursing team in coordinating with state and local agencies. “At a time of fear and uncertainty, my USC Leonard Davis School training helped me stay calm and focused,” he says.

As things opened up, Whitaker took courses in marketing and branding at USC Leonard Davis and digital marketing through eCornell. He used this knowledge to work with his marketing team to attract new residents.

Whitaker says, “In class, we’d discuss how older adults’ perceptions of senior living were changing during the pandemic and how marketing messaging also needed to change. I would bring my class notes to work to help me prepare for our weekly marketing calls. As a team, we managed to increase occupancy throughout the pandemic, compared to the national trend of decreased occupancy.”

Charting a path to success

Smart, hardworking and dedicated, Whitaker was ripe for success. In 2009, he graduated from Loyola University Chicago with an MBA. Jobs were scarce due to the recession, so he took a position as a front desk concierge in a senior living community. Over the next eight years, he was promoted to sales assistant and then to accountant in the administrative offices.

In 2017, Whitaker came to The Carrington as their business office manager. Now, as executive director, he credits the MASLH program for helping him transition into this leadership role.

Whitaker is 39 and on the younger side of other executive directors he’s worked for. He says, “The MASLH program has helped me interact with my team, most of whom have more experience in senior living. Taking these courses demonstrates that I’m committed to my role and learning more about their area of operations. It shows that I want to do everything I can to understand their challenges, remove obstacles and set them up for success.”

The MASLH program is cultivating the next generation of senior living leaders, like Whitaker. These leaders are responsible for caring for the growing population of older adults in the U.S.

Recently, The Carrington was named in the Best of Independent Living category for 2022-2023 by U.S. News & World Report. Whitaker says, “The MASLH program has been incredible for me and has set me up for success. I would highly recommend the program to anyone who is interested in furthering their career in senior living, including getting up to the executive director level.”

To learn more about the Master of Arts in Senior Living Hospitality degree program at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, call us at (213) 740-5156.

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In Indonesia, students go to medical school directly from high school. For a young doctor, caring for COVID-19 patients without resources was overwhelming. But during a visit to the U.S., she discovered the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology — and a new path.

Emmanuella enjoys working with older adults. This affinity originated with her grandmother, who passed away during Emmanuella’s second year of medical school. In August of 2021, she carried thoughts of her grandmother with her as she enrolled at USC Leonard Davis.

To Emmanuella, the Master of Arts in Medical Gerontology program seemed like an excellent option. It would allow her to deepen her knowledge while pursuing her U.S. medical license.

A perfect complement to medical school

The MA in Medical Gerontology (MAMG) focuses on the health needs of older people. USC Leonard Davis faculty designed the program for health professionals who rarely receive in-depth gerontology training.

“In Indonesia, we didn’t receive any special education in caring for older adults,” Emmanuella says. “I saw that older adults tended to be neglected by the health care system. Things are improving, but it will take time before older adults receive as much attention as children and pregnant women.” She sees a need for physicians who can treat older patients with empathy and respect in the U.S. and Indonesia.

The MAMG gives students a multidisciplinary perspective of aging. It dives into the diseases of aging and chronic disease prevention. It also explores geropsychology, technology and age-friendly environments.

For current health professionals or those pursuing a career in health care, the MAMG is a valuable complement to their medical training.

Professors with deep, real-world experience

Emmanuella, in her first semester at USC, takes two classes. One centers around the diseases of aging with an emphasis on cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The other focuses on older adults with multiple chronic conditions.

The highlights of her courses so far are her professors — both practicing physicians — and the experience they share with the students. Having trained in a foreign country, Emmanuella is soaking up the details they provide about the medical system in the U.S.

For example, Karlton Wong is a hematologist-oncologist. His class focuses on clinical practices for examining older adults. Roberto Vicinanza is a geriatrician who teaches about the biochemical theories of aging. In class, he also shares his experience working with the geriatric population in Italy.  Emmanuella says, “The professors can answer all my deep questions regarding the medical field. I can also ask for extra time to have a discussion with them.”

Emmanuella enjoys the interactive nature of her classes, both of which involve student presentations throughout the semester. Presentations enable her to understand the subject so she can present clearly and be ready for questions.

A future in medical gerontology

For now, Emmanuella is in a happy place. In addition to school, she works part-time as a medical assistant at an outpatient vascular center. There, she helps out in the front office scheduling appointments. She also performs physical exams under the supervision of the physician.

Emmanuella also volunteers for the I Did Something Good Today Foundation. This Los Angeles-based nonprofit helps fight social isolation among older adults. “We have warm, personal conversations with older adults and place referrals if they are in crisis,” she says.

Long term, Emmanuella’s goal is to practice medicine in the U.S. as a geriatrician. She says, “Maybe it’s because of my close relationship with my grandma, but I understand what older adults want. I know how to communicate with them and treat them respectfully. Like some of my peers who love working with children, I love working with older adults.”

To learn more about the Master of Arts in Medical Gerontology degree program at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, call us at (213) 740-5156.

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Deal’s interest in gerontology began when he was an undergrad at the University of California, Santa Cruz. For his senior internship, he volunteered in the dementia unit of a long-term care facility. Deal recalls, “I played the piano and sang with the residents for 10 weeks. At the end, a woman who had been mute for 18 years asked me for a glass of orange juice.”

Deal dove into the research on how music impacts brain function. This led him to the work of neurologist and well-known author Oliver Sacks. Deal emailed Sacks and told him about the woman in the dementia unit and inquired about research opportunities. Sacks replied, “You want to look into gerontology.”

Deal quickly found the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, applied and was accepted. Before long, he was living a full graduate student lifestyle — taking classes, doing research and working as a teaching assistant.

World-class research in aging

The USC Leonard Davis School is the most renowned school of gerontology in the world. Faculty are at the leading edge of aging research and innovation. Students are active collaborators in this research and are helping transform the field.

Deal spent two years working in the lab of USC Distinguished Professor Kelvin Davies. Davies’ research focuses on the biochemistry and genetics of aging processes. In the lab, Deal studied a protease (an enzyme that breaks down proteins) that plays a role in aging. Deal describes the work as groundbreaking.

In addition to research, the USC Leonard Davis School offers students access to many lectures and seminar series. “People who are pioneering the field of gerontology come here to share their ideas and research,” Deal says. There were also lectures from entrepreneurs who were starting their own nursing home companies. These piqued Deal’s interest in the administrative side of gerontology.

A curriculum that inspires new ways of seeing the world

USC Leonard Davis School coursework explores all aspects of lifespan development. The Master of Science in Gerontology program focuses on policy and research. Students take classes in physiology, psychology, applied policy and more. Deal recalls the class that impacted him the most was GERO 437, “Social and Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying,” with Associate Professor Susan Enguidanos. He calls the learning experience “profound.”

Adding to the content of the classes are the students themselves. The gerontology programs have students of all ages and backgrounds. In Deal’s cohort, there were people his age as well as retired older adults. “Our group discussions had this great range because we had all levels of experience taking the classes,” Deal says.

“I started college wanting to be a doctor,” Deal says. “Instead, I found gerontology and it was what I personally needed. I realized I didn’t need to become a doctor to help people.”

From gerontology to TV

After graduating in 2015, Deal worked in a nursing home while he pursued his Nursing Home Administrator License. However, life events changed his course several times, and Hollywood called to his creative side.

In 2019, he was accepted into the competitive Directors Guild of America Assistant Directors Training Program. After almost a year, COVID-19 hit and TV production shut down. Deal went back to the nursing home as a facility screener. There he monitored everyone coming into the facility for COVID-19 symptoms and enforced the strict access rules for nursing homes.

With TV production now back up and running, he’s back on the set, but still picks up shifts at the nursing home. Down the line, Deal would love to incorporate his gerontology expertise into his TV production work. He has an idea for a show based in a long-term care facility. He says senior care settings need to look more realistic on TV.

Deal is also not ruling out another run at his Nursing Home Administrator license. “Life’s funny,” he says. “Sometimes things don’t work out. You need to have your wits about you and pivot quickly. Right now, I make television, but I’m still a gerontologist. It’s still what I want to do full time in the end.”

To learn more about the Master of Science in Gerontology degree program at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, call us at (213) 740-5156.

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