Viterbi Voices: The Podcast
Welcome to life at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Classes, student organizations, faculty, research, hands-on projects, and don't forget our social lives outside of class - it's all up for discussion with regular appearances and interviews with special guests. Viterbi Voices: The Podcast is hosted by Paul Ledesma (Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Admission) and current student Hannah Fonseca (Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2027).
Episodes
395 episodes
Transfer Student Admission FAQ
In this episode, Paul and Hannah sit down with USC transfer student Angelina Chou alongside members of the Viterbi admissions team to talk about the transfer student experience at USC. Together, they unpack what it’s really like to transfer int...
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Season 11
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Episode 393
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1:26:41
From Singapore to USC to Investment Banking to Corporate Development at Intel with Rahul Dutta, BS Electrical Engineering and Economics '04
In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumnus Rahul Dutta to talk about his journey from studying electrical engineering at USC to building a career across the military, investment banking, and corporate development at Intel. Rahul share...
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Season 11
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Episode 392
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1:32:51
Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biophysics, Powerlifting, and Music with Dr. Wade Zeno
In this episode, Paul sits down with Wade Zeno to talk about his journey from chemical engineering to molecular biophysics and academia. Wade shares how he discovered a passion for applying engineering principles to biological systems, discusse...
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Season 11
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Episode 392
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1:32:53
Medical Device Development, Biotechnology, and Leadership Growth with Alex Budde, MS Medical Devices and Diagnostic Engr. '18, BS Biomedical (Mechanical) Engineering '17
In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumnus Alex Budde to talk about his journey from pre-med to biomedical engineering and his career developing life-saving medical devices at Abbott. Alex shares insights from working on the MitraClip...
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Season 11
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Episode 391
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1:24:13
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Engineering in Society, Technical Communication, and Entrepreneurship with Prof. Elisabeth Weiss
We're back! In this episode, Paul and Hannah sit down with Elisabeth Weiss, a professor who teaches WRIT 340. They discuss her journey to becoming a professor, the hands-on projects and initiatives she has developed for the course, and why stro...
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Season 11
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Episode 390
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1:41:33
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Research at USC: MADLab
In this episode, Karissa (ME '27) sits down with MADLab Researchers Haozheng Ma (3rd Year PhD BME) and Callie Luong (ME '27) to learn more about their paths into biomedical research and how it has transformed their experience here at USC. They ...
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Season 11
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Episode 389
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1:34:08
Summer Internship Experience as an Electrical & Computer Engineering Student
In this episode, Talise (ECE '27) sits down with Jessica (ECE '27) to talk about her summer internship at Northrop Grumman, how USC helped her get the job, succeed in the internship, and how the internship shaped her future at USC. They discuss...
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Season 11
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Episode 388
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1:17:51
Engineers Without Borders: Building a Better World Through Engineering
In this episode, Sophie (CHE '28) sits down with Sidha Kunada (ENE '27) and Taara Shastri (ENE '28) to discusses their involement in Engineers Without Borders, the communities formed through club engagement, and dealing with feelings of accompl...
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Season 11
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Episode 387
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58:55
Exploring Non-Traditional Paths with an Engineering Degree
In this episode, Sarah (BME '28, pre-med) sits down with Cedric (BME '28, pre-med) and Mattice (CHE ' 28, pre-law) to discuss the ins and outs of pursuing a career path other than traditional engineering with an engineering degree. They discuss...
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Season 11
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Episode 386
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1:00:20
Time Management as a Viterbi Engineering Student
In this episode, Cecilia Betancourt (ECE '27) sits down with a heavily involved RPL member and ASPEN lead, Autumn Zaretsky (ASTE '27), and discusses what it's like to be heavily involved in campus extracurriculars and what that means for academ...
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Season 11
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Episode 385
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1:08:22
The Computer Science Spectrum: A Look into the Different CS Majors
In this episode, Keilani (CSBA '27) sits down with Daisy Fregoso (CS '28) and Sophie Hyun (CS Games '28) to discuss the variety and overlap of the different Computer Science majors and their different experiences and applications. They discuss ...
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Season 11
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Episode 384
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1:15:13
USC Racing: Design, Build, Race, Repeat
In this episode of USC Racing Spotlight, Naya (Mechanical Engineering ’26), Powertrain Co-Lead, sits down with Katherine (Mechanical Engineering ’26), Project Manager for SCR26, Monica (Mechanical Engineering ’27), Composites Co-Lead, and Carol...
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Season 11
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Episode 383
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1:19:07
Meeting the Student Leadership of the American Society of Civil Engineers
In this episode, Xavier (CE '27) sits down with members of the USC chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), including the current president Mitch Kirby (CE '26), project executive Ariana Robles (CE '25), and the leaders of sev...
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Season 11
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Episode 382
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1:13:56
Meet AEE: Founding USC’s Association of Energy Engineers
In this episode, Mitchell Kirby (Civil Engineering ’26) who is Founder and President of the Association of Energy Engineers sits down with David Moseley (Environmental Engineering ‘27) the AEE Design Teams Lead & Marine Energy Design Team L...
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Season 11
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Episode 380
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40:38
Navigating All Things Biomedical Engineering with ASBME
In this episode, Gerson (BME '26) sits down with Dominic (BME '27) and Jaron (BME '26) to chat about their involvement in the Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering (ASBME). They reflect on the impact ASBME has had on their careers and p...
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Season 11
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Episode 379
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59:36
All About the AeroDesign Team!
In this episode, Jessica (AME '28) sits down with Hannah (BME '28) to talk about her role as a Build Lead and Lab Manager of USC's student-led AeroDesign Team. Hannah shares an exclusive insight into the team's aircraft design process, the ins ...
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Season 11
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Episode 378
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1:10:45
Environmental Engineering, SHPE Leadership, and Sustainable Packaging with Daisy Benitez, MS ENE, BS ENE ‘18
In this episode, Paul sits down with Daisy Benitez, an environmental engineer at PepsiCo, to talk about her work in global sustainability initiatives, her journey from engineering student to sustainability professional, and her experiences livi...
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Season 11
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Episode 377
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1:22:53
From Astronautical Engineering to Amazon with Alex Coco, MS Mechanical Engr ‘17, BS Astronautical Engr ‘16
In this episode, Paul reconnects with Viterbi alumna Alex Coco, Amazon AIR manager, to discuss his path from earning both a B.S. in Astronautical Engineering and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at USC to building a career in aerospace and log...
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Season 11
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Episode 376
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2:03:16
Changing Majors 3 times, Sorority Life, Study Abroad Memories, and Tech Consulting with Lauren (Howe) Johnson, MS, Data Analytics '17, BS ISE '16
In this episode, Paul and Hannah sit down with Lauren (Howe) Johnson to reflect on the twists and turns of her USC journey, from navigating indecision around majors to finding unexpected opportunities in engineering, leadership, and travel. Lau...
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Season 11
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Episode 375
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1:54:29
New B.S. in Artificial Intelligence with Vice Dean Erik Johnson and Executive Vice Dean Gaurav Sukhatme
In this episode, Paul sits down with Erik Johnson and Gaurav Sukhatme to discuss the launch of a brand-new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree program coming in Fall 2026. Together, they explore how the program was developed, ...
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Season 11
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Episode 375
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1:30:44
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Chemical Engineering, Polymers & Pharmaceuticals, and LGBTQ identity with Makana Krulce, B.S. Chemical Engineering '15
In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumna Makana Krulce to explore her journey from studying polymers at USC to working in global pharmaceutical consulting. Makana shares how her hands-on experience in Germany shaped her career, refle...
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Season 11
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Episode 374
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1:24:42
Navigating Fear, Misconceptions, & Social Media in College Admission with Jennifer (Jenn The Tutor) Jessie, College Admission Consultant
In this episode, Paul sits down with Jennifer, a college admission counselor best known as Jenn the Tutor, to debunk myths and misconceptions about getting into college. Jennifer shares her journey from law school to education, her community-or...
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Season 11
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Episode 373
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1:43:30
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Construction Management, Lacrosse, Sorority Life, and Study Aboard experiences with Natalie Dana (Alvarez), BS Civil Engineering (Building Science) '14, MS Green Technologies '15
In this episode, Paul speaks with Viterbi alumna Natalie Dana (Alvarez) about her interdisciplinary path through civil engineering and architecture, her career in sustainable construction at Turner Construction, and how her time at USC, from st...
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Season 11
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Episode 372
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1:16:55
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Cadaver Labs, Medical Devices, and Marketing with Pooja Sharma Rao, B.S. Biomedical Engineering (Biochemical) '07
Welcome to Viterbi Voice Season 11! In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumna Pooja Sharma Rao to talk about her unique career journey at the intersection of medicine, engineering, and business. From hands-on experiences in cadaver la...
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Season 11
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Episode 371
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1:25:28
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Season 10 Finale & Host Hand-Off
Join us for Saafiyah's last podcast as our co-host! Saafiyah and Paul wrap up season 10 of the Viterbi Voices podcast and introduce the next co-host... Hannah! They reflect on Saafiyah's year as co-host, share plans for the end of the semester,...
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Season 10
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Episode 370
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1:00:06
