Craig Knoblock
Craig KnoblockMichael Keston Executive Director,
Information Sciences Insitute

As technology becomes more powerful and accessible, we are presented with opportunities abound. At ISI, scientists work on research and development ranging from AI/machine learning to space engineering. Researchers have only their imagination to reach beyond current day solutions to broaden our reach solving real-world problems.

We welcome a diverse group of over 100 PhD students to work side-by-side with research scientists. Students publish research papers, present at conferences and share their work with our sponsors.

We encourage you to read about our work, attend seminars open to the public and learn what our researchers and their students are working on as they deliver the future today.

Craig Knoblock
Michael Keston Executive Director

Dynamic, Pioneering, Impactful

At ISI, our research ranges from artificial intelligence, including natural language, machine translation and information integration; networking and cybersecurity, such as the highly regarded DETER cybersecurity research program; informatics focused on medical applications; computational systems and technology, including supercomputing approaches and quantum computation; and advanced electronics for space, biomimetics and other purposes.

We also research space systems and technology, and partner with the USC Viterbi School on the Space Engineering Research Center, a hands-on effort that enables students to participate at every stage of space research, development and flight. Our MOSIS integrated circuit unit drives innovation through its shared-services model, and has brokered fabrication of more than 50,000 integrated circuits for customers worldwide.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At USC ISI, we are invested in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at all levels of operations. These are the building blocks of a thriving workplace where everyone feels supported and empowered to achieve their full potential, nurturing a culture of innovation, collaboration, and mutual respect.

Our roadmap involves building a safe and inclusive environment, enhancing stakeholder satisfaction by prioritizing DEI efforts through raising market awareness, diversifying perspectives to increase productivity in our research, and measuring progress for accountability. In doing so, we all become stewards for DEI, making ISI a leading institute.

Learn More
Cartoon of hands holding planet Earth
vintage-tech-microscope-widescreen

Distinguished Past, Innovative Present

A pacesetter since 1972, ISI helped conceive, design and implement the Internet, including communications protocols that remain fundamental to Net operations. We also invented and developed the Domain Name System (DNS), the text-to-numerical-IP-address system that is essential to Internet functionality. And we managed significant Internet functions, including the Request for Comments that catalyzed and captured the emerging network, for decades.

The Institute employs about 350 engineers, research scientists, graduate students and staff. About half of our researchers hold Ph.D.s, and about 40 serve as USC faculty. We are based in Marina del Rey, California, with offices in Arlington, Virginia and Waltham, Massachusetts, which support all divisions of ISI.

ISI BY THE NUMBERS

440+
ISI staff, faculty, and PhD students

$72
Million in research funding in 2022

110
Ph.D. Students

3
USA office locations

Paving the Future

In addition to working on current ISI research projects, students also lead their own smaller research projects, receiving guidance from ISI researchers that are experts in their fields.