The San José State University Stem Cell Internships in Laboratory-based Learning (SJSU SCILL) is a CIRM Bridges program with a mission to train graduate students to develop and accelerate stem cell translational research and therapies. This is a two-year long program housed in our masters of science in Biological Sciences, Concentration in Molecular Biology and Microbiology program. Typically, SJSU SCILL students will take graduate laboratory courses in stem cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology as well as courses in regulatory affairs, therapy development processes, and clinical trial management. Students also engage in patient interaction activities and develop a community outreach plan to share their knowledge and their expertise in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine with their communities. Each SJSU SCILL trainee will complete 12 months of full-time hands-on research in human stem cells, progenitor cells, or gene therapy, at one of our research universities (Stanford University, University of California, Santa Cruz), or translational research partners, involving stem cell product development (Dorian therapeutics, Amgen, Notable Labs, Soteria Biotherapeutics, Tenaya Therapeutics, and SRI International). On the successful completion of the SJSU SCILL curriculum and internship, students are awarded a master’s degree and are prepared for a career in stem cell biology.

The SJSU SCILL Program has a solid track record in training stem cell professionals at a graduate level, all from among California residents and representative of the diverse ethnicities of our state. More than 95% of our students have completed the two-year program. More than 90% are employed primarily in the state of California and about 50% of those are working in stem cell related fields in academia, in the biotech industry or have continued to higher advanced degrees.

Cohort 2021 students completed the second year of their program and completed full time internships in academic labs (Stanford University and UC Santa Cruz) or in biotechnology companies (SRI International and Amgen). These 9 students received training in working with human embryonic stem cells. These students attended the 2023 ISSCR conference in Boston and five students presented posters describing work completed during their internship. These students have or will complete their thesis requirements with completion of a written thesis and public oral presentation describing their thesis work.

Cohort 2022 students enrolled in rigorous coursework including extensive laboratory courses in advanced molecular techniques and stem cell biology. San José State University has returned to in-person curricular activities, enabling complete in-person coursework for first year SCILL students. Students also engaged with patients, and develop outreach activities around stem cell biology. Finally, students were mentored by SJSU faculty as they progressed through the program and selected their internship laboratories. We also successfully enrolled 10 students in the program for research internships in the following internship hosting agencies: Stanford University, University of California, Santa Cruz, SRI International, Dorian Therapeutics and Amgen. These internships will provide students with rigorous practical laboratory experiences to prepare them for careers in stem cell research and translational therapies.

During the reporting period, we recruited 9 students into cohort 2023. These students are continuing to follow our curriculum and are receiving all training in person. We are increasing the mentoring of our first-year students, pairing them with SJSU SCILL board members for monthly check-ins. We held an orientation for these students on August 16, 2023.