Keck School of Medicine of USC: Pioneering Innovation in Health Science Across Research, Education, and Clinical Care

A beacon of medical excellence and transformative innovation, the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California stands at the forefront of advancing healthcare through cutting-edge research, transformative education, and world-class clinical practice. With a mission to bridge scientific discovery with real-world impact, Keck exemplifies how academic medicine can redefine treatment, train future innovators, and improve patient outcomes on a global scale. From breakthroughs in cancer therapy to pioneering work in neuroscience and digital health, the school leverages interdisciplinary collaboration and state-of-the-art infrastructure to drive progress unimpeded by conventional boundaries.

At the core of Keck’s influence is its deep commitment to translational research—turning laboratory discoveries into patient-centered solutions. According to Dr. Barbara C.

Gaillard, Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Keck, “We’re not just studying biology; we’re applying what we learn to real-world medical challenges.” This ethos resonates throughout the institution, where feature-complex research labs operate in seamless partnership with clinical departments across USC’s health system. Over the past decade, Keck researchers have contributed to landmark studies, including novel immunotherapies for hard-to-treat cancers and minimally invasive surgical robotics that reduce recovery times dramatically. The school’s research output consistently ranks among the top in biomedical and life sciences, supported by more than $400 million in annual federal and private funding.

Unfolding Interdisciplinary Collaboration Across Campus

Unlike traditional medical schools confined to a single building