USC Viterbi Celebrates 170 New Ph.D. Graduates Shaping the Future of Engineering
At USC Viterbi, 170 newly minted Ph.Ds. stepped forward toward a bright future
University Of Southern California
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On May 13, 2026, 170 Ph.D. graduates from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering received their degrees at Bovard Auditorium, marking a significant milestone in their academic journeys. Graduates like Yushun Zeng and Berk Tinaz highlighted their research contributions to biomedical engineering and machine learning, emphasizing the real-world impact of their work as they transition into industry roles.
- 01Yushun Zeng, a Ph.D. graduate, focused on improving ultrasound transducers to enhance medical imaging, which can lead to better patient outcomes.
- 02Berk Tinaz accepted a position as an applied scientist at Amazon, where he will apply his research on machine learning systems in real-world environments.
- 03Ahmad Hassan began his career at TikTok, working on AI governance and improving cellular network performance to enhance user experience.
- 04Dean Yannis C. Yortsos emphasized the graduates' role in tackling global challenges such as climate change and responsible AI.
- 05Keynote speaker William F. Ballhaus Jr. highlighted the importance of learning from failures and maintaining accountability in the use of AI technologies.
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On May 13, 2026, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering celebrated the graduation of 170 Ph.D. students at Bovard Auditorium. The ceremony, steeped in tradition, featured graduates from diverse countries including China, India, and Turkey. Dean Yannis C. Yortsos praised the graduates for overcoming significant challenges during their academic journeys, likening their experiences to the mythical Odyssean journey. He emphasized the critical role engineers will play in addressing pressing global issues such as climate change and cybersecurity. Keynote speaker William F. Ballhaus Jr. shared insights from his extensive career in aerospace, urging graduates to learn from others' mistakes and to take responsibility for the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Graduates like Yushun Zeng, who focused on enhancing ultrasound technology, and Berk Tinaz, who will work at Amazon, exemplified the impact of their research on real-world applications. Ahmad Hassan, now at TikTok, aims to improve cellular network performance, highlighting the importance of small innovations in enhancing user experiences. The event underscored the graduates' readiness to contribute to their fields and the broader community.
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The research conducted by these graduates has the potential to significantly improve healthcare technology, machine learning applications, and telecommunications, benefiting society at large.
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