University of San Diego: College of Arts and Sciences

Check out this great piece by USD Professor of the Department of Neuroscience, Cognition and Behavior, Rachel Bl**er, PhD.

We named him Sq**rt – not because he was the smallest of the 16 cuttlefish in the pool, but because anyone with the audacity to scoop him into a separate tank to study him was likely to get soaked. Sq**rt had notoriously accurate aim.

As a comparative psychologist, I’m used to assaults from my experimental subjects. I’ve been stung by bees, pinched by crayfish and battered by indignant pigeons. But, somehow, with Sq**rt it felt different. As he eyed us with his W-shaped pupils, he seemed clearly to be plotting against us.

Octopuses and their relatives are a new animal welfare frontier − here’s what scientists know about consciousness in these unique creatures Animal welfare laws don’t protect invertebrates, but there’s evidence that some, such as octopuses, are as intelligent as many mammals – even if their cognition takes very different forms.

Diane Hoffoss, mathematics professor at the University of San Diego, joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast to talk about how she found a love for math at a young age and how that love continues to guide her passion for teaching students.

Dr. Hoffoss also discusses how she collaborates with other professors, from different disciplines, on a project called Art Builds that creates art installations which have appeared at places like Burning Man. University of San Diego Mathematics Department

Math as Art, Joy and Discovery: One Professor's Love for a Profession that Began During a Car Ride with Her Father Podcast Episode · At the Edge of it All · 12/18/2024 · 21m

An “uninformed voter” election post-mortem of news coverage by USD Associate Professor of Communication Dr. Nik Usher below! USD Department of Communication

An “uninformed voter” election post-mortem of news coverage - Trusting News How first-time voters and non-journalism normies viewed media coverage of the 2024 election.

Encouraging Students to Take Risks: Patrick Harris' Journey to Snap Inc. President of Americas & Global Partnerships

For Patrick Harris ’98, the road to becoming president of Snap Inc. in the Americas might never have been traveled — if it wasn’t for advice he received as an undergrad from a professor at the University of San Diego.

While taking an HTML class during what Harris calls the days of “early internet,” his professor, Robert Hanczor, said to him, “You know if you’re really interested in pursuing media as a career, you should probably go to New York and do an internship,” Harris recalls. Click below to read full article!

Encouraging Students to Take Risks: Patrick Harris' Journey to Snap Inc. President of Americas & Global Partnerships - University of San Diego The USD College of Arts and Sciences released its second annual Arts & Sciences magazine this fall. In the pages of this magazine, you will discover exciting new programs and initiatives, meaningful and impactful stories, and inspiring student, faculty and alumni spotlights.

Postales de Confinamiento: Dr. Alejandro Meter captures writers' experiences of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Something extraordinary happens when two worlds collide — for Alejandro Meter, PhD, his dual passions for visual arts and literature converged beautifully when he began photographing writers.

In 2020, the world was thrust into sudden isolation. Confined at home, Dr. Meter, chair and professor of the Languages, Cultures and Literatures department at USD, found himself unable to take in-person portraits — something he had done for years.

“After a few months at home, I started experimenting with ways to continue taking photos. And I thought, ‘Would it be possible to create portraits of writers remotely’?” Meter reflects. Click the link for more: https://www.sandiego.edu/news/cas/detail.php?_focus=94821

Math Department Faculty Spotlight: Adding Art to the Equation with Dr. Diane Hoffoss

In the corner of a bustling warehouse in San Diego, Diane Hoffoss, PhD, stands surrounded by circuitry and LED lights. It's a far cry from the abstract world of topology where she began her mathematical career, but for Hoffoss, it represents the culmination of an unexpected journey that has transformed not just her professional life, but her understanding of what it means to be both a mathematician and an artist.

As a mathematics professor at the University of San Diego (USD), Hoffoss has found herself at the intersection of seemingly disparate worlds: the theoretical realm of mathematics and the hands-on universe of large-scale art installation. Her path to this junction wasn't planned — it emerged from a series of serendipitous encounters and a willingness to venture beyond the realm of academia.

"From the outside, doing math looks just like sitting there," Hoffoss laughs. "Math is an activity of the mind." But in 2016, something changed. After visiting Burning Man for the first time, Hoffoss discovered a way to marry her love of mathematical concepts with physical creation, getting her body up and moving.

Her breakthrough came with "Unfolding Humanity," a massive interactive sculpture based on an unsolved mathematical problem dating back to the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. USD Professor of Mathematics Satyan Devadoss, PhD, and Hoffoss developed a project for one of Devadoss’ classes where teams of students proposed sculptures that addressed an unsolved math problem. Unfolding Humanity transformed from an idea into a 12-foot-tall dodecahedron covered in LED lights and mirrors. The piece explored not just mathematical concepts, but deeper questions about the shape of our universe and about technology's role in human connection. Click the link below to read the full story!
https://www.sandiego.edu/news/detail.php?_focus=94749

Composing Cultural Bridges - Dr. Christopher Adler's New Chapter with Fulbright in South Korea

In our interconnected world, cultural exchange and mutual understanding are of the utmost importance. For Professor Christopher Adler, PhD, a distinguished scholar in music and the director of the Asian Studies program at the University of San Diego, this mission manifests through composing contemporary music with traditional Asian instruments. This fall, Dr. Adler, who has been honored with the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, ventures to South Korea to do just that.

Adler’s passion for composing music, specifically for Asian instruments, began during his undergraduate and graduate studies. At MIT, he was deeply inspired by his composition teacher, Evan Ziporyn, whose integration of diverse musical traditions, including Balinese Gamelan, profoundly influenced his career path.

“Ziporyn is someone who had made a really big investment in learning this foreign tradition and then made that part of his music,” says Adler. “That became a model for how I went forward because I'm doing the very same thing, just with different traditions and instruments.” Click the link below to read full article! https://www.sandiego.edu/news/cas/detail.php?_focus=94772

Advancing Science and Fostering Diversity
Professor Rachel Bl**er Awarded $500K “Prebys Research Heroes” Grant

Rachel Bl**er, PhD, is deeply committed to her research — but also to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion within the scientific community. So, it’s fitting that the Conrad Prebys Foundation’s Board of Trustees found the professor of psychological sciences to be deserving of their “Prebys Research Heroes” Award, which includes a two-year, $500,000 research grant.

“On one hand, the foundation is supporting my research,” Dr. Bl**er says. Her area of expertise is comparative psychology with a focus on comparative learning. She approaches learning from both theoretical and biological perspectives, focusing on both the mental processes and neurobiological bases of learning and cognition.

“But, in doing so, [the foundation is] really supporting my research students.” With the award, Dr. Bl**er has a greater opportunity to attract and nurture the next generation of researchers. And, a pivotal part of her vision for the grant is to amplify research opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds in her lab. “The idea is to foster diversity and inclusion in the sciences, especially in basic biomedical research,” she says.

Read full article by clicking link below! https://www.sandiego.edu/news/cas/detail.php?_focus=94773

The College of Arts and Sciences, along with the University of San Diego, has celebrated a significant milestone in 2024—its 75th anniversary. It traces its beginnings to the visionary efforts of Bishop Buddy and Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill of the Society of the Sacred Heart. Together, they founded the College for Women and, shortly thereafter, the College for Men, both rooted in the liberal arts tradition.

A living testament to this cherished history is Sister Virginia Rodee ’57, whose memories harken back to the nascent days of USD. “The San Diego College for Women was a liberal arts college from the very beginning—and then, it was the College of Arts and Sciences,” she says. “The thought was if you had the liberal arts, you could advance in any direction. Even if you decided not to do advanced studies, you had that strong base that was the preparation for life.”

In 1972, the College for Women, College for Men and the School of Law merged to become what is now known as the University of San Diego; in turn, establishing two schools within the university—the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Law.

Dr. Noelle Norton, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, is proud of the college’s diverse faculty, students and staff. “I am so grateful to be the dean at a time when we can reflect on how far we’ve come,” she says. “Our deep roots in liberal arts began with the College for Women, and we still have them today.”

Celebrating 75 Years of the College of Arts and Sciences at USD The College of Arts and Sciences, along with the University of San Diego, is celebrating a significant milestone in 2024—its 75th anniversary. It traces its ...

More than a decade ago, I spent a week working in Gatineau, a city on the southern edge of Québec, with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services. I was helping train researchers to interview Iiyiyiu elders about traditional birthing knowledge, so they could develop resources for soon-to-be parents and health care workers.

Read more below from this piece written by Meaghan Weatherdon, Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at USD.

Activism on foot: When Indigenous activists walk the land to honor their past and reshape their future Movements like the Journey of Nishiyuu walk the land to reclaim culture and push for Indigenous nations’ rights.

Navigating Interdisciplinary Perspectives: A History Major's Quest to Improve the Future of the U.S. Health Care System

When Omsu Nguyen stepped onto the University of San Diego campus, she planned to major in history as a pathway to law school. During her first year at USD, she was captivated by the unique and diverse perspectives stemming from various Core Curriculum courses.

“Not only do you unlearn a lot of biases you have about history, but I feel like each professor gives you a different lens on how to view things,” says Nguyen.

Empowered by USD’s encouragement to cultivate a unique academic path, Nguyen has found the perfect combination of disciplines to expand her understanding of the world. A biomedical ethics course, in particular, opened her eyes to problematic aspects of the healthcare system in the United States.

“It shows a pattern of how certain minorities are treated and how certain outsiders are treated based on the people in power,” says Nguyen.

Click the link to read the full article in Arts and Sciences magazine! https://www.sandiego.edu/news/cas/detail.php?_focus=94634

Scaling New Heights: A Marine's Thoughtful Path to a Master's in International Relations at USD

Erik Christensen developed a passion for international relations during his four years of overseas service with the Marine Corps. It was in Japan and Bahrain that he interacted with foreign government operatives on topics relating to security.

The conversations gave him valuable insiders' perspectives on global affairs.

“It was fascinating talking about world events,” says Christensen, who reached the rank of captain during a Marine career that lasted from 2015 to 2022. “It became obvious to me that I wanted to study international relations.”

He went online to browse master’s degree programs. USD’s Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) program stood out.

“I liked the seminar style, smaller classroom settings and the more conversational, interactive approach,” he says. “It ticked all of the boxes. I was intrigued.” Click the link to read the full article in Arts and Sciences Magazine. https://issuu.com/universityofsandiego/docs/usd-college-of-arts-and-sciences-fall-2024-magazin/46

Pre-health at USD offers students who wish to pursue graduate programs in health an opportunity to work with experienced and dedicated faculty who provide interdisciplinary, hands-on training in all science disciplines. USD's strong liberal arts curriculum cultivates the broad knowledge base, critical thinking and communication skills needed to succeed on a postgraduate and professional level.

Pre-health is not a major or minor program, it is a set of recommended courses and advising for students who wish to pursue graduate programs in health.

Pre-Health at USD Pre-health at USD offers students who wish to pursue graduate programs in health an opportunity to work with experienced and dedicated faculty who provide in...

Two University of San Diego graduates, Karissa Valencia '13 and Jared Ruga '11 are making their mark in the entertainment industry. Karissa was nominated for an Annie Award for her Netflix series Spirit Rangers, which centers on Indigenous characters. Jared, as the founder and CEO of Vavani Productions, creates social justice-focused documentaries and films, and won a Daytime Emmy for His 2018 documentary Quiet Heroes.

Their USD education played a vital role in shaping their careers, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and storytelling. They encourage students to explore various interests and keep an open mind about their education and career paths.

Khea Pollard is a USD Alumni, who earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees here at USD. Graduating with a B.A. in English, a B.A. in Ethnic Studies, and a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, she pursued her goal of opening ‘Cafe x’ upon graduating in 2018. (Although the idea had sprouted as soon as she finished her undergraduate degrees in 2015).

Congrats to all of your success graduates!

Then and Now: USD Alumni Share Their Torero to Professional Journeys

Take a look inside this incredible study abroad experience that students in a Politics and the Environment class embarked on in Japan last year.

The journey over spring break deepened their understanding of how policies around politics and the environment differ in different countries.

With the valuable support of the Chapman Family Foundation International Program, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations Andrew Tirrell, JD, PhD and his students contextualized class concepts through their transformative experiences in Japan.

Politics and the Environment Japan 2023 The Spring 2023 Politics and the Environment class deepens their learning by traveling to Japan with the valuable support of the Chapman Family Foundation In...

As an ethnographic researcher and sociologist, Associate Professor Cid Martinez, PhD, immerses himself in communities. As an observer and a participant, Martinez uncovers insights into complex relationships between residents and police and shares his scholarship as a member of community groups and committees to improve relationships and foster collaboration and crime reduction.

Martinez aims to highlight the lived experiences of community members grappling with issues of trust, gun violence and law enforcement policy.

“Ethnography is not just interviewing people,” says Martinez, who belonged to a community policing group in Sacramento and is a member of the newly established City of San Diego Privacy Advisory Board, weighing in on privacy and law enforcement concerns. “Being civically involved is a way to use my knowledge and to learn, and to connect students to my research.”

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Cid Martinez Through his work as an ethnographic researcher and sociologist, Associate Professor Cid Martinez uncovers insights into complex relationships between residen...

The National Science Foundation awarded University of San Diego Associate Professor of Biology Nicole Danos, PhD, a $1.1 million CAREER Award last year to establish a research program to examine the form and function of skeletal muscle and its connective tissues during pregnancy and lactation.

The grant, which is awarded over five years, funds Dr. Danos’ research to better understand how the physiology of female mammals affects evolutionary fitness and the evolution of anatomical systems.

With the CAREER Award, Danos is leading a team of undergraduate and postdoctoral researchers who are analyzing muscle-tendon physiology during pregnancy and lactation. She is also developing teaching resources to identify new areas of female-specific physiology and anatomy research to enhance female STEM students’ sense of belonging.

CAREER Awards are given to early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as mentors and academic role models in research.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Nicole Danos Assistant Professor of Biology Nicole Danos, PhD, received a $1.1 million National Science Foundation CAREER award to investigate the impact of pregnancy on ...

The Department of Ethnic Studies is celebrating more than twenty years of academic dedication to the exploration of the lives, labor and culture of communities of color through the lenses of ethnic-specific and comparative studies the University of San Diego.

Established in 2003, the Department of Ethnic Studies has consistently stood at the forefront of scholarly research and education, providing invaluable insights into the intricate fabric of ethnic and racial diversity. Its endeavors have been instrumental in fostering a profound comprehension of human dignity rooted in the principles of Catholic social teaching.

A big part of student experiential learning in Ethnic Studies is working directly with members of the community. Students actively explore issues of equity, power and social justice in and out of the classroom through unique partnerships with local and grassroots organizations across San Diego.

20 Years of Ethnic Studies at USD