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USC WiSE PhD Student Advisory Board

Empowering graduate women in science at USC

Our Mission

Our mission is to build community and provide valuable resources to promote the retention of women pursuing doctoral degrees in science and engineering departments at USC.

The WiSE PhD Student Advisory Board (AB) was established during the 2017-2018 academic year as a division of USC’s WiSE program to cultivate mentorship and promote the involvement of graduate women in science and engineering. The WiSE PhD AB now functions as a community-based organization specifically focusing on opportunities and events for USC graduate students. We host social, mentorship, and professional development events throughout the academic year to help foster a supportive graduate community. Our events and initiatives are open to all gender identities.

About Us

Now accepting applications for 2024/25 WiSE PhD Advisory Board members

APPLY HERE

Student Spotlight

Michella Rustom

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Michella Rustom is an Annenberg Fellow and a 4th year PhD student in the Ming Hsieh department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at USC Viterbi School of Engineering. She received the BE’17 (Summa Cum Laude) and ME’19 degrees from Notre Dame-Louaize University and American University of Beirut, respectively. Michella received the USC Annenberg Fellowship in 2019, and the Cadence Women in Technology Scholarship in 2021.

Her research interests include analog and RF integrated circuits for biomedical applications, biosensors, wearable devices, and wireless communications. She was leading a project on low power 3D magnetic localization for capsule endoscopy (“Smart” pills).  The new localization technology she developed is the lowest power and most precise localization scheme for smart pills. In fact, with the chip she designed, she can tell where the pill is inside the body within 1 millimeter of precision. Michella is a science enthusiast, a nature-lover, and an adventurous explorer. 

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More Spotlights

Liaison Network

Representatives of WiSE-affiliated departments

Mentorship Program

Current WiSE graduate students are paired with incoming graduate students

Professional Programming

Professional events that provide guidance on succeeding in graduate school and beyond

Social Events

Social events to create opportunities for engagement among WiSE graduate students

PhD Timeline

Information regarding the PhD path organized by stage: prospective, admitted, pre-candidacy, post-candidacy, and defense

Learn more

Upcoming Events