By Eric Lindberg
To say that William Vega is a man in demand would be a bit of an understatement.
As a Provost Professor at USC, he holds appointments in psychiatry, preventive medicine, family medicine, psychology, and gerontology, not to mention his main role at the USC School of Social Work, where he serves as executive director of the Roybal Institute on Aging.
“It’s an all-out effort and it’s taking all my energy and aspirations,” he acknowledged. “I’ve been more than willing to do it because I feel it’s part of my mission here.”
A self-described specialist in behavioral health and multicultural epidemiology, Vega has pursued groundbreaking research on a wide array of topics, from Latino immigration and the process of cultural adaptation to mental illness.
It’s precisely his diverse background that makes Vega such a strong fit for the institute, which is tasked with bridging the many disciplines that touch on issues of aging.
“His interdisciplinary focus is exactly what is needed in any kind of program addressing older people,” said Marilyn Flynn, dean of the School of Social Work. “He is able to relate to different methodologies and bodies of knowledge, he’s willing to accept leadership responsibility, and he’s able to work with both local and national constituencies. He’s one of the most gifted scholars I’ve ever met.”