Hands-On Program for Excellence in Cell Therapy Manufacturing Sciences (HOPE-CTMS)
Grant Award Details
Grant Number:
EDUC8-20435
Investigator(s):
Award Value:
$6,918,000
Status:
Pre-Active
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
Hands-On Program for Excellence in Cell Therapy Manufacturing Sciences (HOPE-CTMS)
Public Abstract:
Our College’s Department of Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing will expand its training initiatives in regenerative medicine with the goal to develop a diverse pool of undergraduates that will successfully transition into biomedical careers in regenerative medicine.
This novel training program will offer funded support for historically under-resourced students and include advanced project-based laboratory training as well as a focused mentorship program to provide tailored career and academic guidance to explore future sector opportunities in industry and academia.
Integrated with our Biomanufacturing program, this multiple-year program will service multiple student cohorts, carefully emphasizing the importance of the workforce skills needed to be successful in regenerative medicine. The program will continue to implement professional mentorship that navigate students successfully into advanced careers and future graduate education, as well as advocating for accessibility and community inclusion in regenerative medicine.
Grant candidates will be selected through a tailored application process in partnership with our laboratory affiliates. Through the proposed dual path program, students will have multi-year lab rotation opportunities through COMPASS training, as well as an opportunity for 12-month, full time training through the Bridges program.
Building on the current success of our CIRM COMPASS program, the proposed EDUC8 dual path program will continue to identify talented student candidates from diverse backgrounds for supported training and professional development. The program will provide, (1) Focused concurrent coursework in advanced cell and gene therapies, regenerative medicine, and commercial biotechnology, all leading towards the completion of the Biomanufacturing Bachelor’s program at our college. (2) Research training options for both year-round internships, intensive summer research internships, as well as full time, 12-month Bridges internships in either private sector or academic laboratories focusing on regenerative medicine. (3) Specific guidance for both academic pathways and professional development. (4) Research presentations at multiple sector conferences. (5) Patient advocacy and community outreach activities for regenerative medicine initiatives. (6) Facilitate a pathway for aspiring student scientists to transition into regenerative medicine careers through intern support programs, and professional development and advisory sessions.
Through our diverse student program population, committed sector employer network, and regional location will be strongly contributing high impact and high value initiatives that will successfully create a new and innovative talent pipeline for California’s regenerative medicine workforce.
This novel training program will offer funded support for historically under-resourced students and include advanced project-based laboratory training as well as a focused mentorship program to provide tailored career and academic guidance to explore future sector opportunities in industry and academia.
Integrated with our Biomanufacturing program, this multiple-year program will service multiple student cohorts, carefully emphasizing the importance of the workforce skills needed to be successful in regenerative medicine. The program will continue to implement professional mentorship that navigate students successfully into advanced careers and future graduate education, as well as advocating for accessibility and community inclusion in regenerative medicine.
Grant candidates will be selected through a tailored application process in partnership with our laboratory affiliates. Through the proposed dual path program, students will have multi-year lab rotation opportunities through COMPASS training, as well as an opportunity for 12-month, full time training through the Bridges program.
Building on the current success of our CIRM COMPASS program, the proposed EDUC8 dual path program will continue to identify talented student candidates from diverse backgrounds for supported training and professional development. The program will provide, (1) Focused concurrent coursework in advanced cell and gene therapies, regenerative medicine, and commercial biotechnology, all leading towards the completion of the Biomanufacturing Bachelor’s program at our college. (2) Research training options for both year-round internships, intensive summer research internships, as well as full time, 12-month Bridges internships in either private sector or academic laboratories focusing on regenerative medicine. (3) Specific guidance for both academic pathways and professional development. (4) Research presentations at multiple sector conferences. (5) Patient advocacy and community outreach activities for regenerative medicine initiatives. (6) Facilitate a pathway for aspiring student scientists to transition into regenerative medicine careers through intern support programs, and professional development and advisory sessions.
Through our diverse student program population, committed sector employer network, and regional location will be strongly contributing high impact and high value initiatives that will successfully create a new and innovative talent pipeline for California’s regenerative medicine workforce.
Statement of Benefit to California:
The scientific initiatives for advancing stem cell and regenerative medicine towards new therapeutics to treat human disease are being led by the state of California.
These therapies are critical to society and the initiatives are driving future innovations in biomedical sciences. As we move forward, there’s an unequivocal need for a robust talent development pipeline to train our future professionals that represent California’s diverse population in regenerative medicine.
We designed our program to answer this call to action and provide opportunities for our diverse college students to receive focused training and education, accelerating their efforts into the advanced skilled technical workforce.
Our program also encompasses the skills and training needed as a regenerative medicine research professional, that is mindful and comprehends the importance of translational medicine and how their scientific efforts will result in patient therapies. These efforts also include community outreach and patient advocacy to disseminate the importance and benefits of these research initiatives.
Our community college population represents the depth and diversity of California, further ensuring equitable recruitment. Our focused California-based laboratory partners in academia and industry are committed to delivering innovative and comprehensive internship experiences for our undergraduates through part-time, year-round, or summer intensive, full time work-based learning in regenerative medicine.
Our student scholars will continue to work on multiple applications in regenerative medicine and cell therapies to treat complex human diseases such as multiple cancers, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, as well as various autoimmune and neurological diseases.
The program is designed for students to concurrently work in scientific laboratories while finishing their undergraduate credentials in Biomanufacturing with no schedule disruption. Our students participate in a focused mentor fellowship and work in collaboration with global patient advocacy partners on multiple events to support donor drives and other gift of life activities. These programs and initiatives all contribute to our students moving forward in California’s workforce and completing their four-year bachelor’s degree education and continuing into advanced graduate programs.
Our program will train and support multiple student cohorts, and continue to represent the evolving population of our California scientific workforce. Our strategic initiatives for this program are aligned with California’s workforce initiatives, supplying a skilled technical workforce to combat the significant labor market gaps in our Life Science sector workforce.
Our students have broad and diverse perspectives and understand the importance of regenerative medicine, the community impact of new cell therapeutics, and how their knowledge and efforts will advance regenerative medicine in California.