USC COMPASS: Guiding Undergraduates to Careers in Regenerative Medicine

The USC COMPASS program has enrolled a full cohort of students for the 2023-2024 academic year who are engaged in independent research projects and supported by close mentoring and continuous professional development. Our cohort was recruited by casting a wide net to the USC undergraduate community; we capitalized on strategic partnerships with student affinity centers to ensure students from historically underrepresented backgrounds were aware of our program and encouraged to apply. In our first year, 10 COMPASS scholars were selected from a highly competitive applicant pool of 30 students. Team building exercises began in April 2023 with our program orientation. After spring semester classes concluded, USC COMPASS scholars received vigorous research training in our summer bootcamp to prepare them for a six-week intensive summer research internship. Research and mentoring workshops were designed using the Entering Research curriculum. Professional and Life skills seminars were presented by the Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity and the USC Credit Union. COMPASS scholars applied skills acquired in bootcamp when choosing a laboratory for their research internship. Upon the completion of bootcamp, COMPASS Scholars were engaged in a 40hr/week, 6-week research internship for the remainder of the summer. USC COMPASS Scholars have continued their research internship through the fall academic semester and engaged in bi-weekly program meetings that focus on additional skill building or “fireside chats” with professionals in the regenerative medicine industry. They have enrolled in classes designed to increase their knowledge about stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. In the upcoming program year, scholars will initiate a community outreach course on Stem Cell Biology with the Prison Education Project, visit a local elementary school to engage students during STEM Week, and partner with the USC + CHLA Alpha Stem Cell Clinic to work with patient advocates to engage the community about participate in clinical trials. In year 2, USC COMPASS Scholars can choose to continue their established research project or switch to a structured internship in a cGMP facility. We anticipate USC COMPASS Scholars will participate in CIRM-sponsored research symposia. We will encourage scholars to present their work at conferences such as ISSCR, SACNAS, and ABRCMS to increase their exposure to careers in regenerative medicine. We have initiated our second round of recruiting and are pleased to report a 40% increase in the number of applications received and are looking forward to onboarding our second cohort of students in the summer.

The USC COMPASS program is a 2-year program designed to prepare students for careers in regenerative medicine. We cast a wide net to the USC undergraduate community and hold 2 information sessions each fall to engage potential applicants and build excitement for the program. Student applications undergo a thorough review, and 20 applicants are interviewed for 10 slots annually. Students are admitted to the program as COMPASS Scholars in April and are engaged in team building exercises during orientation meetings. In the summer, first year scholars are challenged with a rigorous 4-week bootcamp to prepare them for a 6-week intensive summer research internship. Scholars receive research techniques training in our teaching laboratory, research culture and mentoring workshops using the Entering Research curriculum (www.cimerproject.org), life skills and financial training from the Kortshak Center for Learning and Creativity and the USC Credit Union. COMPASS Scholars are guided through choosing a laboratory for their research internship. Upon completion of the bootcamp, COMPASS scholars engage in an intensive research internship for the remaining 6-weeks of the summer program. Research internships continue throughout the first academic year and are coupled with bi-weekly program meetings that focus on skill building, goal development, portfolio building, and engagement with professionals in the regenerative medicine industry. They are concurrently enrolled in classes designed to increase their knowledge about stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Students self-organize and create educational modules on stem cell biology and regenerative medicine and present their curriculum at local high schools and host a “Stem Cell Research Day” to engage local high school students in the teaching at the Broad Stem Cell Institute at USC. In year 2, COMPASS Scholars engage in an abbreviated 1-week bootcamp to reinforce the sense of community and grow their skill sets. Scholars have the option to continue their research projects or pivot to intern with companies or CIRM-sponsored infrastructure programs that closely align with their future interests. They are encouraged to attend the CIRM Trainee conference and present their research projects at national conferences. Year 2 scholars engage with year 1 scholars in near-peer mentoring to help acclimate new scholars to the program. During the academic year, bi-weekly meetings include both year 1 and year 2 scholars and the agendas are set to meet the specific needs of the scholars development. Currently the USC COMPASS program has 20 scholars (10 in year 1 and 10 in year 2) and is in the process of recruiting the third out of our four cohorts.