Sports Pharmacist Michael Kessler: A Specialist for USC Student-Athletes – Athletic Medicine of USC Student Health

Michael Kessler, USC PharmD’21, recently returned to his alma mater as the official sports pharmacist for USC Athletics. Kessler holds a master’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science from California State University, Long Beach and a bachelor’s degree in biological science/human exercise physiology from Chapman University. In his role, he serves as an extension of the providers for USC Athletics and works closely with athletic medicine—exclusively for athletes.

USC student-athletes record Graduation Success Rate of 94%, highest in the university’s history
The measure records how many student-athletes in the classes of 2014 through 2017 graduated within six years of their enrollment; 13 teams had perfect 100% scores.
For prolific philanthropist Ronald H. Bloom, USC and its football program figure large in family memories
The alumnus’ newest gift highlights his family’s devotion to the university and Trojan football.
Spirit of Troy to salute USC’s Paris Olympians, Paralympians at halftime Saturday
Sixty-seven Trojans from 27 nations competed in the 2024 Games, winning 15 medals. Another two Trojans took part in the subsequent Paralympics, bringing home two more medals.
In memoriam: Dallas Long, 84, legendary USC track and field Olympian
Long ruled the shot put world in the 1960s, winning three consecutive NCAA titles and the gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Drinking water, food access and industrial pollution linked to levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in blood
USC researchers found that certain neighborhood factors were associated with higher levels of PFAS in the blood of Southern California residents, which increases the risk for disease.
$6 million grant advances potential treatment for common cause of vision loss
The funding supports USC research into a therapy for dry age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older adults.
Bird flu: Is it time to worry?
The outbreak’s impact will likely be felt in grocery prices, including the cost of your Thanksgiving bird, and across supply chains. And get your flu shot, too, just to be safe.
Masks affect how kids — and parents — read emotions, USC brain research finds
Decoding emotions, especially sadness, behind masks requires extra brain power, complicating interactions for stressed parents and children in key stages of social-emotional development.