Magazine - USC Gould School of Law - University of Southern ...

INTERSECTING DISCIPLINES
Fall 2008
Neuroscientists, economists and
lawyers from USC and other top
research institutions met on campus this spring for two days of discussion and
brainstorming sessions on studies that might lead to better laws and a more
innovative economy. The symposium, “Law, Economics and Neuroscience:
Implications for Innovation,” focused on research that included studies of the
underlying brain mechanisms involved in decision-making.
“I think people will find that we can enrich the research agenda of all
these disciplines with this kind of cross-pollination,” said Gillian Hadfield,
the Richard L. and Antoinette S. Kirtland Professor of Law and Professor of
Economics and director of the Southern California Innovation Project, which
organized the symposium.
USC Law Visiting Professor Mathew McCubbins presented research
about trust and the use of electroencephalograph technology and Dan Simon,
professor of law and psychology, discussed a study by Alan Sanfey of the
University of Arizona in which male participants looked at pairs of female
faces and were asked to choose the more attractive face.
USC Law’s James Spindler, an expert in corporate finance, opened the
discussion of Harvard University economics professor David Laibson’s
research about decisions that involve the future.
AWARDS DAY CELEBRATES
STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF
During the USC Law Annual Awards Ceremony,
11 students were recognized for their contributions
to the law school and the greater community.
The Student Bar Association Outstanding Faculty
and Staff Awards, selected by the 3L class, honor
a faculty member, adjunct professor and staff
member for their service to students. This year’s
recipients include:
Priya Sridharan
The director of career
services, Sridharan is able
to provide advice that
comes from a career
spent in the public,
private and nonprofit
sectors. One student said
Sridharan “changed my
life. I went to her with no
idea what I should do for
a career, and she gave me
great advice.”
Magazine
John Heilman ’82
The mayor of West
Hollywood and adjunct
professor employs a jovial
teaching style, provides
detailed feedback on
exams and is always
available to help students.
One student said he took
one of Heilman’s bar
preparation courses,
where he “took more
notes during those three
hours than I have in a
long time.”
Quick Takes
Niels Frenzen
Director of the USC
Immigration Clinic,
Frenzen was described by
a nominator as “a living,
breathing example of a
committed public interest
lawyer” and praised for his
dedication to mentoring
both current students
and recent graduates.
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