COMPASS: Accelerating Stem Cell Research by Educating and Empowering New Stem Cell Researchers
Grant Award Details
Grant Type:
Grant Number:
EDUC5-13817
Investigator(s):
Award Value:
$2,910,000
Status:
Active
Progress Reports
Reporting Period:
Year 1
Reporting Period:
Year 2
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
COMPASS: Accelerating Stem Cell Research by Educating and Empowering New Stem Cell Researchers
Public Abstract:
The COMPASS Program is designed to identify new stem cell researchers and promote the very best stem cell science by increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field. It is now well established that early exposure to lab-based research is the best method to recruit and retain students interested in a career in science. Several programs at our institution sponsored by the NIH, HHMI, and the Beckman Foundation have tested and proved that bringing undergraduates into labs for direct research experience has led to dramatically improved retention rates for the students in life science-based majors. This is particularly true for under-served populations with fewer resources or community support.
We will extend our proven recruitment and education programs to the new COMPASS program specifically to promote stem cell research and recruit a new cadre of at least 7 new freshman and community college transfer students annually and support each of them for up to 3 years. The program will nurture students to become critical and creative scientists that can professionally present their work; develop a broad network of relationships with leaders in the field; and prepare them for career opportunities translating discoveries from the bench to the bedside. Trainees will be able to choose from a broad menu of stem cell coursework to create a strong foundation for the pursuit of science and the critical analysis of the social, ethical, legal, and economic implications of stem cell research and regenerative medicine. The coursework focuses on building scientific knowledge, examining the hurdles for application of discovery, developing the tools to engage the policies that govern the field, addressing the necessary and important regulatory requirements, and developing tools to effectively communicate cutting-edge science to the public. Each trainee will be matched with an elite stem cell scientist (CIRM and/or NIH awardees) that will provide direct mentoring in the lab. COMPASS Scholars will benefit from the promotion of diversity and the removal of barriers to entry into stem cell research, and their contributions to the lab will enhance the quality and output of the research. In turn, trainees will use the tools developed in COMPASS to engage with patients and participate in community outreach in order to increase awareness of discoveries and potential treatments. Such outreach and education will serve to normalize the implementation of stem cell therapeutics
Our COMPASS program will leverage existing resources from our world-renowned stem cell researchers, academic departments, and successful outreach and recruitment programs to create the premier training environment for undergraduate researchers. The support provided by the COMPASS grant to each trainee will promote retention by removing any financial barriers and providing ANY deserving student a chance to thrive as a stem cell researcher.
We will extend our proven recruitment and education programs to the new COMPASS program specifically to promote stem cell research and recruit a new cadre of at least 7 new freshman and community college transfer students annually and support each of them for up to 3 years. The program will nurture students to become critical and creative scientists that can professionally present their work; develop a broad network of relationships with leaders in the field; and prepare them for career opportunities translating discoveries from the bench to the bedside. Trainees will be able to choose from a broad menu of stem cell coursework to create a strong foundation for the pursuit of science and the critical analysis of the social, ethical, legal, and economic implications of stem cell research and regenerative medicine. The coursework focuses on building scientific knowledge, examining the hurdles for application of discovery, developing the tools to engage the policies that govern the field, addressing the necessary and important regulatory requirements, and developing tools to effectively communicate cutting-edge science to the public. Each trainee will be matched with an elite stem cell scientist (CIRM and/or NIH awardees) that will provide direct mentoring in the lab. COMPASS Scholars will benefit from the promotion of diversity and the removal of barriers to entry into stem cell research, and their contributions to the lab will enhance the quality and output of the research. In turn, trainees will use the tools developed in COMPASS to engage with patients and participate in community outreach in order to increase awareness of discoveries and potential treatments. Such outreach and education will serve to normalize the implementation of stem cell therapeutics
Our COMPASS program will leverage existing resources from our world-renowned stem cell researchers, academic departments, and successful outreach and recruitment programs to create the premier training environment for undergraduate researchers. The support provided by the COMPASS grant to each trainee will promote retention by removing any financial barriers and providing ANY deserving student a chance to thrive as a stem cell researcher.
Statement of Benefit to California:
The COMPASS Program will provide scholars with opportunities to study the latest advances in stem cell biology, development and disease modelling, present their own work in a setting in which they can obtain constructive criticism, interact with their peers and training faculty in formal and informal forums, and meet leaders in the field. Our goal is to produce scientists at the undergraduate and transfer student levels so they are prepared to be fully versed in their primary scientific discipline and fluent in the whole panoply of issues that arise in the study of stem cell biology. We expect our scholars to become leaders in the field of stem cell biology that are well-versed in stem cell ethics and entrepreneurship, and communicate effectively about their work. As a result, we have every expectation that our scholars will be able to fully translate stem cell discovery into stem cell therapy. Data suggests that the majority of our scholars stay in California to continue their careers. As a result, this program will contribute to the enrichment of the scientific community in California, and create a cadre of scientists well-versed in issues particular to stem cell biology such as disease modeling, ethical use of stem cells, and clinical translation of stem cell technology. As California becomes a hub for stem cell biology, the COMPASS Program will serve to promote the latest technologies and advances to create viable clinical therapies while doing so in an equitable and ethical manner.
