Institutes

Independent organizations closely affiliated with USC and the Keck School, institutes are defined both by a physical space and research vision and provide a place for in-depth, integrative studies.

Our Institutes

Our institutes bring world-leading researchers together in a collaborative environment to provide solutions to problems in human health. Our institutes serve as a hub for multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation in research.

Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute

The USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (USC ATRI), located in San Diego, CA, is dedicated to the development of effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease through innovative, collaborative, multicenter clinical trials. ATRI’s collaboration with Keck investigators, including Drs. Arthur Toga and Paul Thompson at the USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Dr. Helena Chui at the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and Dr. Berislav Zlokovic at the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, facilitates rapid progress in data sharing and analytical methods central to the drug development process. USC ATRI is the Keck School’s clinical outlet for testing of new treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease.

The Diabetes & Obesity Research Institute

The Diabetes & Obesity Research Institute (DORI) at the University of Southern California was established in 2012. The Institute was designed to foster interactions across disciplinary boundaries; embrace methods and techniques from diverse fields of study; and develop effective approaches to risk assessment, prevention and treatment of the international co-epidemics of diabetes and obesity.

Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research

Our investigators are exploring the normal mechanisms that build, maintain and repair our body systems to develop knowledge-based approaches for regenerative medicine. Scientists are researching kidney, liver, neural, blood, cardiovascular, skeletal and skin disease models. The center serves as a hub for USC Stem Cell, which connects researchers in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine across USC.

USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute (INI)

The USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute (INI) aims to enhance discovery through the application of imaging and information technologies in the study of the brain. The Institute is dedicated to excellence in data acquisition, analysis, stewardship and computational innovation for the purpose of biomedical research.

Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI)

Established in 2010, the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI) is one of 60 NIH-funded Clinical Translational Science Awards with a mandate to increase the efficiency and quality of translational research. SC CTSI helps accelerate scientific discoveries and their application in real-life settings in order to address the specific health needs of urban and diverse populations and improve human health by helping researchers obtain the education, resources and collaborations necessary to translate discoveries into practice.

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center scientists work toward a complete understanding of the most fundamental aspects of cancer. They study the abnormal cell growth characteristic of cancer to determine what goes wrong and how the process can be altered. They then work to quickly translate those findings into treatment and prevention strategies. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has designated the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center as one of the nation’s 45 comprehensive cancer centers, a select group of institutions providing leadership in cancer treatment, research, prevention and education.

The Institute for Addiction Science (IAS)

The Institute for Addiction Science (IAS) is a multi-school academic unit involving 80 faculty from 11 different schools across the university.  The goal of IAS is to break down silos that have historically prevented scholars and practitioners from different disciplines from working together.  To this end, IAS provides infrastructure and resources to promote novel “transdisciplinary” research, education, clinical services, and community engagement to reduce addiction locally and nationally. 

Institute of Translational Genomics at Keck Medicine of USC

The Department of Translational Genomics and Institute of Translational Genomics at Keck Medicine of USC is focused on translating the molecular study of genes into individual treatment plans. The award-winning, collaborative team intends to redefine and further precision medicine to bring novel technologies and molecular insights to patients.

Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute (ZNI)

The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute (ZNI), established in 2003, is an integral part of a broader USC neuroscience initiative promoting collaboration between researchers from diverse disciplines. The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute was designed to foster interactions among the best and brightest. Scientists at the institute reach across boundaries to embrace methods and techniques from other fields of study, identifying new approaches to examine nervous system function so we may all better understand the underlying causes of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Affiliated Institutes

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Saban Research Institute

Research at CHLA focuses on pediatric diseases and treatments and is ranked as one of the top pediatric research programs in the nation. The Saban Research Institute manages and leads all research endeavors.