Year 7 w NCE

The primary goal of the San José State University Consortium for Stem Cell Internships in Laboratory-based Learning (SJSU SCILL) is to continue to provide the State of California and the central coast region with well-educated scientists who are proficient in stem cell biology at the master’s graduate level. The program is designed to equip students with a broad-based understanding of stem cell biology through classroom instruction and seminars, and in-depth, laboratory-based expertise in a specialty area unique to each student’s professional development plan through a yearlong internship. These experiences are built on the foundation of a strong classroom laboratory experience at San José State University, coupled with an array of stem cell internship opportunities encompassing basic cell and molecular research at our research university partners (Stanford University and UC Santa Cruz), translational research involving stem cell product development at our corporate partner (Asterias, Inc. Notelabs), and clinical applications of stem cell science at the Parkinson’s Institute.
The SJSU SCILL program is a two-year program leading to an M.A./M.S. Biological Sciences or a Professional Science Master of Biotechnology (MBT) degree. Ten students are enrolled annually in the SJSU SCILL program. Master’s candidates in our M.A./M.S. Biological Sciences have career goals in basic research and emphasize a specialty through their program of study. Master’s candidates in our MBT Program are seeking careers in the private sector emphasizing product development and commercialization. The SJSU SCILL students complete an academic program composed of graduate laboratory courses in immunology, molecular biology, flow cytometry, stem cell biology, graduate writing skills, career planning class, bench to bed side (product development class, patient interaction activity class and community ou reach based class. Students may take additional elective related courses in consultation with their SJSU faculty mentor.
Prior to the stem cells internship, students take a human embryonic stem cell laboratory techniques workshop at the Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine at Stanford University. Immediately after, they perform a 12 months stem cell internship at one of our research internship partners.
After completion of the SJSU SCILL curriculum and research internship, students submit a professional developmental plan, a poster and oral presentation of their internship research work, students will be awarded their master’s degrees.

the funds from this grant only funded internship related expenses and tuition for one intern Dustin DeMeo.

Administration:
The program director of CIRM 1, Dr. Tzvia Abramson , continued to assume responsibility in CIRM 2 grant.
Dr. Boothby – a program leader and manager, retired during this period
No additional administrative changes occurred during this report period.