CIRM Bridges Science Master’s Program

Situated in the epicenter of biotechnology and stem cell research, our university is ideally suited to house the proposed CIRM Bridges 2.0 program, which will contribute to the growth of an important sector of the local economy and the life science workforce. Our university is known for its academic excellence, equity, and efforts as a propeller for regional mobility and thriving economics. Our students, alumni, and faculty members contributed to the economic, civic, cultural and fiscal fabric of the San Francisco Bay Area. Our CIRM Bridges-to-stem cell training programs have operated as passageways for many first-generation students and students from underrepresented groups sending them to academic research institutes, Ph.D. and medical schools, pharmaceutic, cell therapy and startup biotech sectors. By capitalizing on the extensive and productive collaboration with our academic and industry partners, and the robust student training practices already instituted at our university, we are applying to relaunch the Bridges 2.0 training program under Proposition 14 to continue to train talented, diverse and motivated students for successful career paths to become future leaders in the biomedical workforce. The comprehensive curricular revision will augment the research skill proficiency of the participating students preparing them to develop a life-long appreciation for the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our Bridges Science Master’s Program is designed to prepare competent and committed professionals for both academia and industry to accelerate the discovery, development and delivery of stem cell, gene therapy and related technologies for improving human health. The program provides course work in STEM, business, and research practices, and is tailored to students interested in pursuing leadership positions in the biotechnology sector or advanced academic training programs. The new Bridges trainees will have the opportunities of enrolling in courses that prepare them for career paths of their professional interest. Examples of such student-centered career paths include: biotechnology and management, data science, science education and communication, or cellular science and neuroscience. In the first year of the program, students will take core courses at home campus to build a strong foundation in stem cell science. A subsequent 12-month internship research training program at one of our host institutions or affiliated stem cell companies across the Bay Area, funded by the CIRM fellowships, will provide the trainees extensive skills in stem cells and/or gene therapy. By the end of their training, the Bridges trainees will complete a master project report written in the form of a journal manuscript and pass an oral defense to enter the workforce or advanced graduate programs with the competencies that are essential to master the challenges awaiting life science professionals in the 21st century.