Begun in 2006, City College of San Francisco's Stem Cell Technology Certi`cate Program was one of the first ever programs to specifcally provide training in the field of stem cell biology. The goal of our program is to reach out to a diverse population of students and impart the knowledge, skills, and motivation for a rewarding career in stem cell research or related fields (such as medical/clinical laboratories involved with stem cell therapies). One of the key components to a successful program such as this is the internship component which would not be possible without CIRM. Once a student completes our program, they have the opportunity to work full time as an intern in a local host research laboratory.
Our Biotechnology and Work Experience Certificate program can be completed in 2 semesters. The focus of the coursework is hands-on skills and all of the courses are taught in the laboratory. Students will become familiar with many of the techniques used in research. We bring in guest instructors; scientists from laboratories at institutions such as UCSF, Stanford, and Gladstone Institutes, to ensure that the students are being taught about the most current and exciting work in the field. After they complete their coursework, they receive a certificate and are eligible to apply for an internship.
During this reporting period, our cohort of 8 students successfully completed scientific courses and collaborated with patient advocacy group, Americans for Cures, connecting research work in the lab to real-world patient impact. They crafted presentations to inspire high school students toward science careers. The internship concluded with students presenting their research at the CCSF Biosymposium conference at UCSF's Mission Bay campus.
In the past, our interns contributed to the basic research of stem cells. Currently they have moved forward with translational projects, with their discoveries leading to the clinic and new possible therapies. Our interns acting as relatable ambassadors for stem cell research has helped people in the community understand the science a little better, learn more about exciting breakthroughs that are in the horizon, and give hope to many for a cure.
While their contributions may have been small, introducing students to the rewarding field of stem cell biology research will have a lasting impact. Most of our students who complete this program do continue on to have careers related to this field. Training and motivating these students will lead to a brighter future for us all.
Reporting Period:
Year 2
The Biotechnology Program at City College of San Francisco (CCSF) trains a diverse population of students for careers in biotechnology at industry and academic institutions. The Stem Cell Technology Program was established in 2006 to prepare the students for entry level careers in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. With the support of CIRM funding, the program offers a Work Experience Certificate to students who complete one to two semesters of rigorous hands-on laboratory course work and a 10-month full-time internship in academia/ industry research labs engaged in stem cell translational research.
During this reporting period 8 students have successfully completed the program. After completion of the required course work, these students were selected among the pool of applicants for internships in local host laboratories at Vitalant Research Institute, Gladstone Research Institutes, UCSF and Stanford University. In addition to their full-time internships, the interns attended the stem cell internship support course which provided the opportunity for the students to discuss and share their experiences with each other and exchange ideas. During this period, the students were engaged in activities such as a week-long human stem cell training, journal club, scientific presentations, grant writing practice, resume writing, networking and more. The students collaborated with the patient advocacy group, Americans for Cures, connecting laboratory research to real-life patient stories and impact. In addition, the interns acted as relatable ambassadors for stem cell research and careers by visiting and interacting with local high school students. The internship concluded with students presenting their research at the CCSF Biosymposium conference at UCSF's Mission Bay campus.
With the support of CIRM since 2011, 126 students have successfully completed the Stem Cell Internship program at CCSF. About 90% of the students have continued on with higher education and/or careers in stem cell research and related fields, demonstrating the success of the program and the importance of hands-on training and internship experiences in developing talent and the future workforce .
Reporting Period:
Year 3
The Biotechnology Program at City College of San Francisco (CCSF) trains a diverse population of students for careers in biotechnology at industry and academic institutions. The Stem Cell Technology Program was established in 2006 to prepare the students for entry level careers in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. With the support of CIRM funding, the program offers a Work Experience Certificate to students who complete one to two semesters of rigorous hands-on laboratory course work and a 10-month full-time internship in academia/ industry research labs engaged in stem cell translational research.
During this reporting period 7 students have successfully completed the program. After completion of the required course work, these students were selected among the pool of applicants for internships in local host laboratories at Vitalant Research Institute, Gladstone Research Institutes, and UCSF. In addition to their full-time internships in the laboratory, the students attended two stem cell internship support courses at CCSF which provided the opportunity for the students to discuss and share their experiences with each other and exchange ideas. During this period, the students were engaged in activities such as a week-long human stem cell training, journal club, scientific presentations, grant writing practice, resume writing, networking and more. The students met with the patient advocates through CIRM, learning about patient advocacy, working with non-profit patient advocacy groups and connecting laboratory research to real-life patient stories and impact. In addition, the students acted as relatable ambassadors for stem cell research and careers by visiting and interacting with local high school students. The internship concluded with students presenting their research at the CCSF Biosymposium conference at UCSF's Mission Bay campus.
With the support of CIRM since 2011, 133 students have successfully completed the Stem Cell Internship program at CCSF. Just under 90% of the students have continued on with higher education and/or careers in stem cell research and related fields, demonstrating the success of the program and the importance of hands-on training and internship experiences in developing talent and the future workforce .
Reporting Period:
Year 4
The Biotechnology Program at City College of San Francisco (CCSF) prepares a diverse student population for careers in biotechnology across academic, clinical, and industry settings. Established in 2006, the Stem Cell Technology Program was designed to develop a skilled workforce in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine by providing students with intensive laboratory training and immersive research experiences.
With support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the program offers a Biotechnology Work Experience Certificate to students who successfully complete one to two semesters of rigorous, hands-on laboratory coursework followed by a 10-month, full-time internship in academic or industry research laboratories conducting translational stem cell research. This integrated training model equips students with the technical, professional, and communication skills needed for successful entry into the regenerative medicine workforce.
During the current reporting period, eight students successfully completed the program. Following completion of the required coursework, these trainees were competitively selected from a strong applicant pool for internships at leading research institutions, including Vitalant Research Institute, Gladstone Research Institutes, and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
In addition to their full-time laboratory research, interns participated in two CCSF Stem Cell Internship Support courses that fostered professional development, peer learning, and scientific engagement. Through these courses, students shared research experiences, discussed scientific challenges, and developed essential career skills. Activities included a week-long human stem cell training workshop, journal clubs, scientific presentations, grant writing, résumé development, networking opportunities, and career preparation.
Students also engaged with CIRM-supported patient advocates, gaining a deeper understanding of patient advocacy, the role of nonprofit advocacy organizations, and the connection between laboratory discoveries and their potential impact on patients' lives. Their efforts to highlight the importance of patient advocacy were showcased in a public campus-wide event which included patients advocates and student speakers. To promote STEM education and increase awareness of regenerative medicine careers, interns served as ambassadors for stem cell research by visiting local high schools and engaging with students about educational pathways and career opportunities in biotechnology.
The internship experience concluded with students presenting their research findings at the CCSF Biosymposium held at UCSF's Mission Bay campus, providing valuable experience in scientific communication and showcasing the outcomes of their research training.
Since receiving CIRM support in 2011, the CCSF Stem Cell Internship Program has successfully trained 140 students. Nearly 90% of program graduates have continued into advanced education and/or careers in stem cell research, regenerative medicine, biotechnology, or related biomedical fields. These outcomes demonstrate the program's sustained success in expanding access to high-quality workforce training and developing a diverse pipeline of skilled professionals equipped to contribute to California's regenerative medicine workforce.
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
Building Career Pathways into Stem Cell Research and Therapy Development
Public Abstract:
The proposed project will build on a robust stem cell technician training program already in place at the home institution, expanding and enhancing student training with a translational focus through the implementation of 8 internship experiences each year as well as a range of other support activities.
Specifically, the proposed project will:
• Offer full-time internships to 8 students each year in CIRM-funded research laboratories or industry labs working on translational stem cell research. Participating laboratories include both academic and industry labs throughout the region. Intern trainees will be recruited from the pool of students who have completed a series of cell culture courses at the home institution and will engage in a ten-month internship for which they will earn college credit.
• Offer a stem cell techniques course that will prepare trainees to begin their internship experiences.
• Mentor trainees through 2 four-unit independent study courses in both the fall and spring semesters.
• Augment and update all existing cell culture courses with cutting-edge information, techniques, and equipment, including coursework regarding drug and therapy development compliance and regulations.
• Build a network that allows research scientists in the field the opportunity to be guest lecturers and/or teach a laboratory to enhance the learning experience of the students in our program.
• Engage a Project Director whose long-term experience in molecular biology and cell culture research will fully qualify her to implement the proposed project.
The proposed program will greatly enhance the training of future stem cell laboratory personnel by augmenting the existing community college program with hands-on experience at an academic or industry laboratory over a ten-month period. Students participating in this internship will gain a robust set of skills that will allow them to enter the workforce and make a substantial contribution to stem cell research. Furthermore, by enhancing partnerships between the home institution and regional academic and industry laboratories, the proposed project will pave the way for future student training and professional development activities for faculty members.
Statement of Benefit to California:
The proposed program will benefit the state of California and its citizens by providing high-quality training to a cadre of future stem cell research technicians, with a focus on translational research. Over the five-year funding period, the proposed program will greatly enhance the training of future stem cell laboratory personnel by augmenting the existing community college program with hands-on experience at an academic or industry laboratory over a ten-month period. Students participating in this internship will gain a robust set of skills that will allow them to enter the workforce and make a substantial contribution to stem cell research. Furthermore, by enhancing partnerships between the community college and regional academic and industry laboratories, patients, and local high schools,the proposed project will pave the way for future student training, professional development activities for faculty members, and much more.
