CALA News & Views | Issue 57 | Impact

CELEBRATING JULIANNE FRANCO , 2026 USC LEONARD DAVIS SCHOOL OF GERONTOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

with RCFEs to improve care for older adults. She sees her USC education as an important step toward developing the knowledge and skills needed to pursue these goals and make a lasting difference in the lives of those she serves. “I am incredibly humbled and honored to receive this scholarship, and words cannot explain how grateful I am for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Julianne said. “I am committed to making the most of this opportunity by using what I learn to improve the lives of older adults, both now and throughout the rest of my career.”

We are pleased to announce Julianne Franco as the recipient of the 2026 USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology Scholarship, a full-tuition award supporting her pursuit of a master’s degree in medical gerontology. This scholarship recognizes

Julianne’s dedication to understanding aging and dementia and her commitment to improving the lives of older adults and their families. Julianne’s passion for caring for older adults and understanding dementia grew from her experience with her grandmother, who had Alzheimer’s disease. That personal experience sparked an interest that has grown into both an academic and professional pursuit. She earned her bachelor’s degree in neurobiology, physiology and behavior from UC Davis, where she was accepted into the Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR) Honors Program, funded by the National Institutes of Health and National Institute on Aging. The program gave her the opportunity to explore aging research and further develop her interest in the field. At UC Davis and UCLA, Julianne spent three years working in laboratories studying memory and the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Today, she brings that research experience into her work directly with older adults as a medication technician at Ivy Park at La Palma , where she has worked for more than a year. Her experience in Memory Care has given her firsthand insight into caring for individuals with dementia and supporting their families. She also volunteers with Alzheimer’s Orange County’s helpline, providing resources and support to individuals living with dementia and their families.

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Ultimately, Julianne hopes to become a geriatrician who combines clinical care with dementia research and work

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