The CIRM-funded COMPASS program on Training Undergraduates in Stem Cell Engineering and Biology (TUSCEB) recruited 10 TUSCEB trainees that began their program in Spring 2023. During their first semester, Spring 2023 (syllabus attached), TUSCEB trainees enrolled in formal courses in Developmental Biology (3 units) and Developmental Biology Laboratory (3 units) and were each self-matched with a faculty mentor and research project. During Summer 2023, trainees conducted full-time research with their faculty mentors that culminated with end-of-summer presentations. Our Human Stem Cell Culture Summer Module was also offered over the summer. It included lectures on stem cells, stem cell culture, stem cell differentiation, and stem cell characterization, hands-on experience with human stem cell cultures, flowcytometry and histology. This Fall 2023, trainees have enrolled in formal courses Multicellular Living Systems (Tissue Engineering) and Multicellular Living Systems and Laboratory (4 units total). In addition to training scientific topics, the trainees have participated in a number ethics, research communication, and career development seminars through our Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) and monthly TUSCEB meetings. So far, all 10 trainees have successfully completed all expected aspects of the training program and are excited about their research projects.
Reporting Period:
Year 2
The CIRM-funded COMPASS program on Training Undergraduates in Stem Cell Engineering and Biology (TUSCEB) had a total of 10 TUSCEB trainees during this reporting period. The first cohort (aka “Cohort 1”) was in their second year of training the that began their program in Spring 2023. During the second year of their training, the trainees participated in a Clinical Experience that included 2 full Saturdays at Monterey Community Hospital and completed their Capstone Mini-Thesis Writing Projects as 1-unit course, BIO 197). For their final summer, our trainees participated in industry presentations and interviewing. For their final summer, four of our trainees participated in summer internships in industry, Acepodia (n=1) and Valentia Analytical (n=3), one of our trainees was recruited straight into an industry position as Field Clinical Specialist at BIOTRONIK, four of the trainees participated in summer research internships at UC Merced, and one of the trainees decided to leave the program and return home after graduation to seek employment. At the end of the summer, eight of our trainees participated in the CIRM Trainee Networking Conference in Los Angeles.
We also recruited 10 new TUSCEB trainees that began their program in Spring 2024 (aka “Cohort 2”). During their first semester, Spring 2024, TUSCEB trainees enrolled in formal courses in Developmental Biology (3 units) (syllabus attached) and were each self-matched with a faculty mentor and research project. During Summer 2024, trainees conducted full-time research with their faculty mentors that culminated with end-of-summer presentations. Our Human Stem Cell Culture Summer Module was also offered over the summer. It included lectures on stem cells, stem cell culture, stem cell differentiation, and stem cell characterization, hands-on experience with human stem cell cultures, cell staining, flow cytometry, and histology. At end of summer, we did have one trainee from Cohort 2 that decided to leave the training program early to transfer to UC Berkeley.
This Fall 2024, Cohort 2 trainees have enrolled in formal courses: Multicellular Living Systems (Tissue Engineering), 4 units, and Multicellular Living Systems and Laboratory, 1 unit. In addition to training scientific topics, the trainees have participated in a number of ethics, research communication, and career development seminars through our Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) and monthly TUSCEB meetings.
To date, all 10 trainees from Cohort 1 successfully completed all expected aspects of the training program through Spring 2024 and then 9 out of 10 completed their summer internships. All 10 trainees from Cohort 2 successfully completed Spring and Summer 2024 activities.
Reporting Period:
Year 3
The CIRM-funded COMPASS program on Training Undergraduates in Stem Cell Engineering and Biology (TUSCEB) supported a total of 18 trainees during this reporting period, consisting of 10 students from Cohort 3 and 8 students from Cohort 2. The most senior group of trainees ( “Cohort 2”) entered their second year of training in Spring 2024. During this year, they completed an 8-hour Clinical Experience with Community Health Partners in Fresno, participated in two Stem Cell Outreach Events, attended resume writing workshops, and took part in industry internship interviews. Cohort 2 also fulfilled their Capstone Mini-Thesis Writing Projects through the 1-unit course, BIO 197. In their second and final summer, five Cohort 2 trainees participated in summer internships in industry, while 3 of the trainees continued their research internships at UC Merced. At the close of the summer, 6 of Cohort 2 trainees attended the CIRM Trainee Networking Conference in Los Angeles.
We also recruited a new group of 10 trainees (“Cohort 3) that began their program in Spring 2025. During their first semester, they enrolled in Developmental Biology (BIO 150, 3 units, syllabus attached) and independently matched with faculty mentors and research projects. During Summer 2025, Cohort 3 conducted full-time research with their mentors, culminating in end-of-summer presentations. They also participated in the Human Stem Cell Culture Summer Module which combined lectures on stem cells, stem cell culture, stem cell differentiation, and stem cell characterization with hands-on training in cell culture, cell staining, flow cytometry, and histology. In addition to scientific training, the trainees engaged in ethics, research communication, and career development seminars offered through our Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) as well as monthly TUSCEB meetings. This Fall 2025, Cohort 3 continued their formal coursework, enrolling in Multicellular Living Systems (Tissue Engineering; MSE 104, 4 units), and Multicellular Living Systems Laboratory (MSE 104L, 1 unit).
To date, eight trainees from Cohort 2 successfully completed all expected aspects of the training program through their final summer industry internship. All ten trainees from Cohort 3 successfully completed Spring and Summer 2025 activities.
Reporting Period:
Year 4
The CIRM-funded COMPASS program on Training Undergraduates in Stem Cell Engineering and Biology (TUSCEB) supported a total of 20 trainees during this reporting period, consisting of 10 undergraduate students in their second year of training, Cohort 3, and 10 students their first year, Cohort 4.
The more senior group of trainees, Cohort 3, finished their first fall of training in Fall 2025 and entered their second year of training in Spring 2026. During this year, they completed an 8-hour Clinical Experience with Community Health Partners in Fresno and El Portal Comprehensive Cancer Center in Merced, participated in two Stem Cell Outreach Events, attended resume writing workshops, and took part in industry internship interviews. Cohort 3 also fulfilled their Capstone Mini-Thesis Writing Projects through the 1-unit course, BIO 197. In their second and final summer, 7 of the Cohort 3 trainees participated in external summer internships, while 3 of the trainees continued their research internships at UC Merced. At the close of the summer, all 10 Cohort 3 trainees attended the CIRM Trainee Networking Conference in Sacramento.
We also recruited a new group of 10 trainees, Cohort 4, that began their program in Spring 2026. During their first semester, they enrolled in Developmental Biology (BIO 150, 3 units) and independently matched with faculty mentors and research projects. During Summer 2026, Cohort 3 conducted full-time research with their faculty research mentors, culminating in end-of-summer presentations. They also participated in the Introduction to iPSC Generation and Characterization online course offered by our CIRM-funded SRL which combined video lectures and live on-line discussions on stem cells, stem cell culture, stem cell differentiation, and stem cell characterization. They also participated in our hands-on Cell Characterization Training Module focused on cell staining, flow cytometry, and histology. In addition to scientific training, the trainees engaged in ethics, research communication, and career development seminars offered through our Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) as well as monthly TUSCEB meetings. This Fall 2026, Cohort 4 continued their formal coursework, enrolling in Multicellular Living Systems (Tissue Engineering; MSE 104, 4 units), and Multicellular Living Systems Laboratory (MSE 104L, 1 unit) where they were provided hands-on training in Sterile Cell Culture, Human Stem Cell Culture, as well as a 2-hour Ethics Lecture/Discussion.
All 10 trainees from Cohort 3 successfully completed all expected aspects of the training program through their final summer internship. All 10 trainees from Cohort 4 successfully completed Spring and Summer 2026 activities.
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
Training Undergraduates in Stem Cell Engineering and Biology (TUSCEB)
Public Abstract:
The goal of the UC Merced COMPASS: Training Undergraduates in Stem Cell Engineering and Biology (TUSCEB) program is to provide diverse students specialized training such that they are equipped with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to support the industry’s hiring needs for growth of the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine in the State of California. Our rigorous training plan is designed to focus on sets of core skills and depth in the specific skills needed in regenerative medicine and biotechnology. We will train 40 trainees over 5 years. The training program for each student will take just under 2 years to complete and include three academic semesters plus 2 summer sessions. The three academic semesters will require that the trainees enroll in one lecture-based course each semester plus one 1-hour COMPASS meeting per month. These include Developmental Biology, Developmental Biology Lab, Engineering Multicellular Living Systems (e.g. Tissue Engineering) and an optional course from a list of selected courses identified to enrich the students’ training (such as advanced molecular biology lab and data science courses).
The foundational Developmental Biology Lab course is designed as a course-based research experience. In addition, each trainee will be matched with a faculty research mentor for in-depth training in research. The student’s First Summer will focus on full-time undergraduate research at UC Merced in the laboratory of one of our stem cell faculty. The summer program will take advantage of the supplemental training, career development, and networking opportunities provided by our Undergraduate Research Opportunity Center (UROC) which culminates in an end-of-summer research symposium. The First Summer will also include 3 hours per week of a Human Stem Cell Culture Training Module for hands-on training in human stem cell culture. The trainees’ Fall will include continuing research with a UC Merced faculty mentor. During the trainee’s Second Spring, the students will complete their capstone project including an oral defense of their written mini-thesis. The last component of the training program is during the Scholars’ Second Summer in which they will be matched with an Industry Partner hosting an external summer internship.
Ancillary activities include a Patient and Healthcare Engagement Experience, monthly COMPASS meetings for mentoring, career development and networking, and community outreach events ranging from high school visits to participation in a local symposium on campus to raise awareness about stem cell and regenerative medicine in our communities in the Central Valley of California, an area historically underserved in education and health care.
Statement of Benefit to California:
Our proposed training program will benefit the State of California and its citizens at several levels. This program will create the workforce necessary to support stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine. This, in turn, will be the springboard for improvements in health care, increase in tax revenues, and improvements in education for California residents. Our program is targeted for students at the University of California, Merced, and will benefit the state of California by supporting the state’s newest campus and its premier public research institution of higher education and making creating career opportunities for its diverse populations of citizens. As this program is funded by CIRM, it is highly likely that Californians would be the primary recipients of therapies supported by our trainees. Stem cell research already relies on a number of products and tools manufactured and sold in the state of California. If successful, research will require a scaled-up version of protocols designed for regenerative medicine. This could attract new biotechnology companies in the state, boosting the tax revenue in the state. This in turn, will provide new jobs for California state residents. Establishment of successful stem cell therapeutics in California will encourage institutions of higher education to promote science education to fill the jobs created by stem cell research. This will retain California students in the state that are interested in biomedical research and medical careers. Furthermore, it could attract out-of-state students seeking degrees that will allow them access to careers in stem cell research. It is envisioned that this will trickle down to the K-12 levels and provide funding to promote science education at all levels.
Community outreach events will educate the public on the field of stem cell research, emphasizing the innovations to healthcare, as well as, current challenges in stem cell therapy. These activities contribute to fostering knowledgeable voters that support California’s efforts in stem cell research.
