Research Mentorship Program-Immersing High School Students in College Research

Return to Grants

Grant Award Details

Grant Type:
Grant Number:
TC1-05787
Investigator(s):
Award Value:
$280,726
Status:
Closed

Progress Reports

Reporting Period:
Year 1
Reporting Period:
Year 2
Reporting Period:
Year 3
Reporting Period:
Year 4

Grant Application Details

Application Title:

Research Mentorship Program-Immersing High School Students in College Research

Public Abstract:
Our institution's long-standing Research Mentorship Program is a hands-on program for highly motivated high school students interested in participating in academic research in a variety of disciplines. During their six intensive weeks on campus, participants learn to analyze papers and write their own, evaluate research presentations and present their own research in a culminating symposium, and engage in aspects of on-going research with [REDACTED] faculty or one of their research team members as a mentor. Depending on the nature of the project, lab hours may range from 30 to 40 hours a week. In summer 2011, CIRM funded a pilot program in stem cell research within our Research Mentorship Program and we would like to increase the number of CIRM students from 6 to 10 and invite more researchers from our 30 research faculty who work in our Stem Cell Research Center to mentor these interested students. The future of stem cell research in the state depends on successful recruitment of top people at all levels. Active populations of aware and highly knowledgeable pre-exposed bright thinkers can predictably lead to a blossom of a generation of workers and leaders who can be ready to push forward the frontiers of stem cell research. By immersing capable young people in this rewarding experience, we believe we are helping to develop the next generation of stem cell researchers.
Statement of Benefit to California:
Stem cell research is at the core of multiple fields in cell biology including cell division, regeneration, and differentiation. In addition to the vast expectations that the field harbors for regenerative medicine of many types, an active workforce well educated and enthused about stem cell research will no doubt lead to new developments and understanding of the life of a cell, any embryonic cell, and any reversible stages. Uncontrolled cancer proliferation, well controlled embryonic development, and all living cell functions involved will benefit from progress in this research.