California State University-San Marcos CIRM Bridges to the Stem Cell Research Training Grant

Return to Grants

Grant Award Details

Grant Type:
Grant Number:
TB1-01186
Award Value:
$4,114,712
Status:
Closed

Progress Reports

Reporting Period:
Year 4
Reporting Period:
Year 5
Reporting Period:
Year 6
Reporting Period:
Year 7/NCE

Grant Application Details

Application Title:

CIRM Bridges to the Stem Cell Research Training Grant

Public Abstract:
The field of stem cell biology has developed into a rapidly expanding technology offering novel therapeutic approaches to human disease. California has taken the lead in the development and expansion of these technologies. There is critical need to recruit, educate, and train the next generation of scientists that will work on achieving these goals. The focus of our program will be to recruit students from California’s large and diverse population, and to provide them with the educational and technical skills that will allow them to pursue careers in stem-cell research. The strength of our proposal include our ability to effectively utilize our geographical location by recruiting students from our home institution and community college partners and train them effectively to carry out successful research internships with our host institutions. The greatest key to the success of our plan relies on our geographical location and the collaborations and partnerships we established throughout our region. We have established partnerships with the leaders in stem cell research in academia including the [REDACTED]. In addition, or students will have the option to intern in premiere biotechnology companies including [REDACTED]. Furthermore, we propose to develop a seminar series and enhanced curriculum that will serve to educate the general student population and community on the progress and potential of stem cell research. Our collaborative commitments with our community college, academic and industry partners will ensure the success of our students and ultimate progress in regenerative medicine. We will recruit and select a minimum of thirty students, ten students per year, from three different academic institutions. These students will then be matched with host internships labs through an interview process. Once the students have been matched with a lab, each cohort of ten students will attend the Stem Cell Techniques course developed at [REDACTED]. Once completed, students will be placed in a 12-month internship experience at one of the labs mentioned above. During this time, they will be enrolled full-time at the originating institution and will also attend a seminar series. We believe that through our fortunate geographical location, access to diverse students and research opportunities and development of new programs we will be creating and contributing exceptional prospects for the creation of a new Stem Cell workforce of California.
Statement of Benefit to California:
Stem cell biology has developed into a rapidly expanding technology offering novel therapeutic approaches to human disease. California has taken the lead in the development and expansion of these technologies. There is critical need to recruit, educate, and train the next generation of scientists that will work on achieving these goals. The focus of our program will be to recruit students from California’s large and diverse population, and to provide them with the educational and technical skills that will allow them to pursue careers in stem-cell research. Our benefit to the state of California comes from increasing the stem cell research workforce available and educating the general public about stem cell research. We will train 30 new undergraduate students with specific expertise in new and innovative stem cell research. Furthermore, we will be developing the academic coursework to teach all students, through general education-level courses and major-specific courses, about stem cells, including research, ethics and opportunities. This proposal will greatly increase the knowledge about stem cells to the general public as well as specifically aiding in the development of the future workforce of stem cell researchers in California.

Publications