@USC Names David G. Armstrong a Distinguished Professor

LOS ANGELES — The University of Southern California has named Dr. David G. Armstrong, a global leader in diabetic limb preservation and surgery, a Distinguished Professor in recognition of his pioneering contributions to research, clinical care, and interdisciplinary innovation.

Dr. Armstrong, Professor of Surgery and Neurological Surgery at USC, has authored more than 710 peer-reviewed papers and leads the university’s NSF-funded Center to Stream Healthcare in Place (C2SHiP), which advances wearable health technologies and remote patient monitoring to prevent amputations worldwide. His work has transformed the management of the diabetic foot, emphasizing prevention, limb salvage, and cutting-edge approaches such as regenerative medicine, artificial intelligence, and brain-computer interfaces.

“It is an extraordinary honor to be recognized by USC in this way,” said Dr. Armstrong. “This distinction is a reflection of the incredible teams I have had the privilege to work with, across disciplines and across the world, all striving toward a future where preventable amputations are eliminated.” Armstrong continued, “It is an even greater honor when you see the women and men with whom I’ve been named. Wow. Talk about mission-driven!”

Dr. Armstrong is one of five faculty members honored this year with USC’s highest academic distinctions. The university also named Distinguished Professors Helen Berman (Quantitative and Computational Biology) and Maggie Nelson(English), as well as University Professors Adam Leventhal (Psychology and Public Health) and Arthur Stone(Psychology, Economics, and Public Policy). These appointments recognize their outstanding scholarly achievements and impact across disciplines.

For more details, read the full announcement from USC: USC Names 5 University and Distinguished Professors.

The American Limb Preservation Society’s announcement about this is here.

Another story in the USC Daily Trojan by Lauren Kim is here

Five USC faculty members were selected as University Professors and Distinguished Professors, a recognition “among USC’s highest faculty honors,” according to a Feb. 20 USC News article. 

The recipients were nominated by their colleagues for their exceptional scholarly achievements and contributions to their respective fields. 

Professors Adam Leventhal and Arthur Stone were presented with the title of University Professor, which is selectively awarded to professors with multidisciplinary interests and outstanding accomplishments across numerous disciplines. Professors David Armstrong, Helen Berman and Maggie Nelson were honored with the title of Distinguished Professors for bringing “special renown” to USC. The final appointments for both awards are made by the University president.

The Daily Trojan interviewed Leventhal, Armstrong, Berman and Nelson on their intellectual pursuits and the advice they have for those with similar academic aspirations. Stone did not respond to the Daily Trojan’s request to comment in time for publication.

David Armstrong

Armstrong, a professor of surgery and neurological surgery at Keck, is a podiatric surgeon who hopes to “help people move through the world a little bit better.” 

Armstrong said while some may find a “foot doctor” to be an odd profession, he has found the gifts of humility and perspective through his work.

“In this era of hubris and chest-thumping, I don’t think there’s anything else that puts you in a greater position of humility than looking after someone’s feet,” Armstrong said. “When you’re working out at the end of the body and trying to preserve limbs and heal wounds on the end of this anatomic peninsula, it gives you this great gift.”

Currently, Armstrong has been working with consumer electronics and medical devices like smartwatches and smart textiles to help people live a healthier and more active livesfe. At the time of the interview, Armstrong said he was testing a pair of smart socks on himself. 

Armstrong said while the public may imagine researchers as having sudden breakthroughs, there are usually 10 or 20 years of work behind any given innovation. 

“If you have an idea, technology or just a commitment … do it every day and to stay on message,” Armstrong said. “Sometimes you have to repeat yourself 1,000 times, and then all of a sudden, the person you were repeating it to … might say, ‘Oh, hey, man, that’s a really cool thing that you’re doing.’” 

Armstrong said, in some cases, persistence supersedes ability. He said in academia and medicine, the “secret sauce” is to keep going when faced with rejection. 

Armstrong encouraged students to “be a collector of mentors.” He said it is important to ask for advice from mentors at different points in life and to stay in contact with them.

“When you tell them about your successes … all of a sudden, your success is their success,” Armstrong said. “It just adds to the richness, not only of an academic community, but just to everything. And that is an unlimited fountain of good.”