The goal of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) - funded stem cell biotechnology training program at California State University Long Beach (CSULB) is to train exceptional and diverse students to enter the stem cell research workforce and accelerate the development of stem cell based therapies to treat or cure patients with unmet medical needs. They are recruited from the ~2,000 students in the CSULB Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, and qualified post-baccalaureate students from other institutions. CSULB is a large (~38,000 students) comprehensive urban university at which nearly all of the students are California citizens (more than 95%). These students reflect the ethnic mosaic of the local communities and enrich the scientific enterprise with their unique perspectives. They also educate their communities by sharing the knowledge and experience they gain in this training program. The students enroll in the two-year stem cell track of the post-baccalaureate Biotechnology Certificate Program. The first year, at CSULB, consists of courses and research experience. To accelerate the development of therapies, required coursework, which includes Stem Cell Biology and Bioethics and Public Policy, was expanded to include an exploration of the drug development process and regulatory pathway. During the second year, ten interns perform full-time research in stem cell laboratories at Cedars-Sinai, City of Hope, and UC Irvine. Extensive mentoring, advising, and workshops throughout and after the program ensure successful academic and career placement for current participants and alumni. This program has a history of successfully training students for graduate study and for the California workforce.
To understand the importance and urgency of accelerating the development of stem cell therapies to treat patients with unmet medical needs, the students engaged in activities that engendered in them an appreciation of patients’ perspectives and experiences. The patient engagement activities required for all the CSULB-CIRM student interns included a workshop hosting a wheel-chair bound spinal cord injury patient and advocate from the Long Beach Veterans Administration Health Care System, another workshop hosting a Parkinson’s disease patient advocate and two patients, and direct interaction with patients and their families at two local children’s hospitals.
The CSULB stem cell interns also participated in various community outreach and education activities. On-campus outreach activities included a workshop about stem cell research and the internship presented by all the current stem cell interns, and poster presentations by some of the stem cell interns at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Research Symposium. Some of the interns also presented to current high school biology teachers who are concurrently completing their M.S. degrees in the Science Education. These are active high school teachers in local school districts (spanning the Los Angeles basin). These teachers could immediately return to their classrooms and provide information about stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and the process and importance of research. Two other activities included panel presentations at a local community college and for a community civic leadership program, which trains a range of community members such as city officials, firemen, and nonprofit organization administrators.
Nearly one hundred percent of the students completing this program have been offered positions for further study or employment in the stem cell biotechnology workforce. Many of these students are currently employed in California as research technicians, others have continued their studies in M.S., Ph.D., or health professional programs (M.D., nursing, pharmacy), and a few are teaching science. During the internship the students are involved in a variety of projects including exploring cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, treating spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, and basic research on stem cell biology. Their research as interns has contributed to many scientific publications and clinical trials. The CIRM-funded stem cell biotechnology training program generates highly technically trained individuals who will enhance future biomedical research in California.
Reporting Period:
Year 2
This annual report describes the achievements of the California State University Long Beach (CSULB) stem cell biotechnology training program during 2017-2018. This is the second year of the five-year Bridges 2.0 award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to CSULB. Each year the components this program are assessed and enhanced.
The goal of the CIRM - funded stem cell biotechnology training program at CSULB is to train exceptional and diverse students to enter the stem cell research workforce and accelerate the development of stem cell based therapies to treat or cure patients with unmet medical needs. They are recruited from the ~2,000 students in the CSULB Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, and qualified post-baccalaureate students from other institutions. CSULB is a large (~38,000 students) comprehensive urban university at which nearly all of the students are California citizens (more than 95%). These students reflect the ethnic mosaic of the local communities and enrich the scientific enterprise with their unique perspectives. They also educate their communities by sharing the knowledge and experience they gain in this training program. The students enroll in the two-year stem cell track of the post-baccalaureate Biotechnology Certificate Program. The first year, at CSULB, consists of courses and research experience. To accelerate the development of therapies, required coursework, which includes Stem Cell Biology and Bioethics and Public Policy, was expanded to include an exploration of the drug development process and regulatory pathway. During the second year, ten interns perform full-time research in stem cell laboratories at Cedars-Sinai, City of Hope, and UC Irvine. Extensive mentoring, advising, and workshops throughout and after the program ensure successful academic and career placement for current participants and alumni. This program has a history of successfully training students for graduate study and for the California workforce.
To understand the importance and urgency of accelerating the development of stem cell therapies to treat patients with unmet medical needs, the students engaged in activities that engendered in them an appreciation of patients’ perspectives and experiences. The patient engagement activities required for all the CSULB-CIRM student interns included a workshop hosting a breast cancer patient advocate, another workshop with a panel presentation by a Parkinson’s disease patient advocate and patients, electronic engagement with a wheel-chair bound spinal cord injury patient and advocate from the Long Beach Veterans Administration Health Care System, and direct interaction with orthopaedic and diabetic patients and their families at a local children’s hospital.
The CSULB stem cell interns also participated in various community outreach and education activities. On-campus outreach activities included a workshop about stem cell research and the internship presented by all the current stem cell interns, and poster presentations by some of the stem cell interns at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Research Symposium. Some of the interns also presented to pre-service middle and high school biology teachers who are concurrently completing their degrees in the Science Education. These teachers could provide their students with information about stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and the process and importance of research. Two other activities included panel presentations at a local community college and for a community civic leadership program, which trains a range of community members such as city officials, firemen, and nonprofit organization administrators.
Nearly one hundred percent of the students completing this program have been offered positions for further study or employment in the stem cell biotechnology workforce. Many of these students are currently employed in California as research technicians, others have continued their studies in M.S., Ph.D. and postdoctoral, or health professions programs (M.D., residency, nursing, pharmacy), and a few are teaching science. During the internship the students are involved in a variety of research projects including exploring cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, lung disease, treating spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, and basic research on stem cell biology. Their research as interns has contributed to many scientific publications and clinical trials. The CIRM-funded stem cell biotechnology training program generates highly technically trained individuals who will enhance future biomedical research in California.
Reporting Period:
Year 3
This annual report describes the achievements of the California State University Long Beach (CSULB) stem cell biotechnology training program during 2018-2019. This is the third year of the five-year Bridges 2.0 award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to CSULB. Each year the components this program are assessed and enhanced.
The goal of the CIRM - funded stem cell biotechnology training program at CSULB is to train exceptional and diverse students to enter the stem cell research workforce and accelerate the development of stem cell based therapies to treat or cure patients with unmet medical needs. They are recruited from the ~2,000 students in the CSULB Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, and qualified post-baccalaureate students from other institutions. CSULB is a large (~38,000 students) comprehensive urban university at which nearly all of the students are California citizens (more than 95%). These students reflect the ethnic mosaic of the local communities and enrich the scientific enterprise with their unique perspectives. They also educate their communities by sharing the knowledge and experience they gain in this training program. The students enroll in the two-year stem cell track of the post-baccalaureate Biotechnology Certificate Program. The first year, at CSULB, consists of courses and research experience. To accelerate the development of therapies, required coursework, which includes Stem Cell Biology and Bioethics and Public Policy, was expanded to include an exploration of the drug development process and regulatory pathway. During the second year, ten interns perform full-time research in stem cell laboratories at Cedars-Sinai, City of Hope, and UC Irvine. Extensive mentoring, advising, and workshops throughout and after the program ensure successful academic and career placement for current participants and alumni. This program has a history of successfully training students for graduate study and for the California workforce.
To understand the importance and urgency of accelerating the development of stem cell therapies to treat patients with unmet medical needs, the students engaged in activities that engendered in them an appreciation of patients’ perspectives and experiences. The patient engagement activities required for all the CSULB-CIRM student interns included a workshop hosting an electronic engagement with a wheel-chair bound spinal cord injury patient and advocate from the Long Beach Veterans Administration Health Care System, direct interaction with orthopedic and cancer patients and their families at a local children’s hospital, and additional direct interaction with diabetic patients and their families at other facilities.
The CSULB stem cell interns also participated in various community outreach and education activities. On-campus outreach activities included a workshop about stem cell research and the internship presented by all the current stem cell interns, and poster presentations by some of the stem cell interns at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Research Symposium. Some of the interns also presented to pre-service middle and high school biology teachers who are concurrently completing their degrees in the Science Education. These teachers could provide their students with information about stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and the process and importance of research. Two other activities included panel presentations at a local community college and for a community civic leadership program, which trains a range of community members such as city officials, firemen, and nonprofit organization administrators.
Nearly one hundred percent of the students completing this program have been offered positions for further study or employment in the stem cell biotechnology workforce. Many of these students are currently employed in California as research technicians, others have continued their studies in M.S., Ph.D. and postdoctoral, or health professions programs (M.D., residency, nursing, pharmacy), and a few are teaching science. During the internship the students are involved in a variety of research projects including exploring cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, lung disease, treating spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, and basic research on stem cell biology. Their research as interns has contributed to many scientific publications and clinical trials. The CIRM-funded stem cell biotechnology training program generates highly technically trained individuals who will enhance future biomedical research in California.
Reporting Period:
Year 4
This annual report describes the achievements of the California State University Long Beach (CSULB) stem cell biotechnology training program during 2019-2020. This is the fourth year of the five-year Bridges 2.0 award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to CSULB. Each year the components of this program are assessed and enhanced.
The goal of the CIRM - funded stem cell biotechnology training program at CSULB is to train exceptional and diverse students to enter the stem cell research workforce and accelerate the development of stem cell based therapies to treat or cure patients with unmet medical needs. They are recruited from the ~2,000 students in the CSULB Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, and qualified post-baccalaureate students from other institutions. CSULB is a large (~38,000 students) comprehensive urban university at which nearly all of the students are California citizens (more than 95%). These students reflect the ethnic mosaic of the local communities and enrich the scientific enterprise with their unique perspectives. They also educate their communities by sharing the knowledge and experience they gain in this training program. The students enroll in the two-year stem cell track of the post-baccalaureate Biotechnology Certificate Program. The first year, at CSULB, consists of courses and research experience. To accelerate the development of therapies, required coursework, which includes Stem Cell Biology and Bioethics and Public Policy, was expanded to include an exploration of the drug development process and regulatory pathway. During the second year, ten interns perform full-time research in stem cell laboratories at Cedars-Sinai, City of Hope, and UC Irvine. Extensive mentoring, advising, and workshops throughout and after the program ensure successful academic and career placement for current participants and alumni. This program has a history of successfully training students for graduate study and for the California workforce.
To understand the importance and urgency of accelerating the development of stem cell therapies to treat patients with unmet medical needs, the students engaged in activities that engendered in them an appreciation of patients’ perspectives and experiences. The patient engagement activities required for all the CSULB-CIRM student interns included a workshop hosting an electronic engagement with a wheel-chair bound spinal cord injury patient and advocate from the Long Beach Veterans Administration Health Care System, direct interaction with orthopedic and cancer patients and their families at a local children’s hospital, and additional direct interaction with diabetic patients and their families at other facilities.
The CSULB stem cell interns also participated in various community outreach and education activities. All of the current stem cell interns participated in on-campus outreach activities which included creating video presentations which were used for a workshop about stem cell research and the internship and participating in panel discussions (via zoom). Some of the stem cell interns presented posters at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Research Symposium. The interns would have also presented to pre-service middle and high school biology teachers who are concurrently completing their degrees in the Science Education, however the presentations were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These teachers could have provided their students with information about stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and the process and importance of research. Two other (virtual) activities included presentations at a local community college and for a community civic leadership program, which trains a range of community members such as city officials, firemen, and nonprofit organization administrators.
Nearly one hundred percent of the students completing this program have been offered positions for further study or employment in the stem cell biotechnology workforce. Many of these students are currently employed in California as research technicians, others have continued their studies in M.S., Ph.D. and postdoctoral, or health professions programs (M.D., residency, nursing, pharmacy), and a few are teaching science. During the internship the students are involved in a variety of research projects including exploring cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, lung disease, treating spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, and basic research on stem cell biology. Their research as interns has contributed to many scientific publications and clinical trials. The CIRM-funded stem cell biotechnology training program generates highly technically trained individuals who will enhance future biomedical research in California.
Reporting Period:
Year 5
This annual report describes the achievements of the California State University Long Beach (CSULB) stem cell biotechnology training program during 2020-2021. This is the last year of the five-year Bridges 2.0 award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to CSULB. Each year the components of this program are assessed and enhanced.
The goal of the CIRM - funded stem cell biotechnology training program at CSULB is to train exceptional and diverse students to enter the stem cell research workforce and accelerate the development of stem cell based therapies to treat or cure patients with unmet medical needs. They are recruited from the ~2,000 students in the CSULB Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, and qualified post-baccalaureate students from other institutions. CSULB is a large (~38,000 students) comprehensive urban university at which more than 95% of the students are Californians. These students reflect the ethnic mosaic of the local communities and enrich the scientific enterprise with their unique perspectives. They also educate their communities by sharing the knowledge and experience they gain in this training program. The students enroll in the two-year stem cell track of the post-baccalaureate Biotechnology Certificate Program. The first year, at CSULB, consists of courses and research experience. To accelerate the development of therapies, required coursework, which includes Stem Cell Biology and Bioethics and Public Policy, was expanded to include an exploration of the drug development process and regulatory pathway. During the second year, ten interns perform full-time research in stem cell laboratories at Cedars-Sinai, City of Hope, and UC Irvine. Extensive mentoring, advising, and workshops throughout and after the program ensure successful academic and career placement for current participants and alumni. This program has a history of successfully training students for graduate study and for the California workforce.
To understand the importance and urgency of accelerating the development of stem cell therapies to treat patients with unmet medical needs, the students engaged in activities that engendered in them an appreciation of patients’ perspectives and experiences. The patient engagement activities required for all the CSULB-CIRM student interns included a workshop hosting an electronic engagement with a wheel-chair bound spinal cord injury patient and advocate from the Long Beach Veterans Administration Health Care System, and direct interaction with diabetic patients and their families at other facilities.
The CSULB stem cell interns also participated in various community outreach and education activities. All of the current stem cell interns participated in on-campus outreach activities which included creating video presentations which were used for a workshop about stem cell research and the internship and participating in panel discussions (via zoom). The interns also provided video presentations viewed by middle and high school biology teachers who are concurrently completing their MS degrees in Science Education. These teachers can provide their students with information about stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and the process and importance of research. Other (virtual) activities included presentations at pre-health professionals’ classes, science majors’ classes, and adult education classes at two local community colleges, and for a community civic leadership program, which trains a range of community members such as city officials, firemen, and nonprofit organization administrators.
Nearly one hundred percent of the students completing this program have been offered positions for further study or employment in the stem cell biotechnology workforce. Many of these students are currently employed in California as research technicians, others have continued their studies in M.S., Ph.D. and postdoctoral, or health professions programs (M.D., residency, nursing, pharmacy), some have completed advanced degrees and are now Ph.D/M.D. level scientists and health professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.), and a few are teaching science. During the internship the students are involved in a variety of research projects including exploring cures for COVID 19, lung disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, treating spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, and basic research on stem cell biology. Their research as interns has contributed to many scientific publications and clinical trials. The CIRM-funded stem cell biotechnology training program generates highly technically trained individuals who will enhance future biomedical research in California.
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
CIRM Stem Cell Biotechnology Training Program
Public Abstract:
The goal of the proposed program is to train exceptional and diverse advanced undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and masters students in the theory and techniques of stem cell research for the development of therapies. These students will be prepared to enter the California workforce with long-term career opportunities as stem cell researchers. They will be recruited from the ~2,000 students in the Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, and qualified post-baccalaureate students from other institutions, at a large (~37,000 students) comprehensive urban university. It is a predominantly undergraduate institution with a large minority population, which has been designated a Hispanic Serving, and an Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander Serving Institution. The students enroll in the two-year stem cell track of the post-baccalaureate Biotechnology Certificate Program, which was established with funding from Bridges 1.0 (2009-2016). The first year, which consists of courses and research experience, occurs at this university. During the second year, ten interns will perform full-time research in one of more than thirty stem cell laboratories at Cedars-Sinai, City of Hope, and UC Irvine.
To accelerate the development of therapies, the stem cell track will be enhanced to include several new components. Required coursework will be expanded to include an exploration of the drug development process and regulatory pathway. To understand the importance and urgency of accelerating the development of stem cell therapies to treat patients with unmet medical needs, students will engage in activities that engender in them an appreciation of the patients’ perspectives and experiences. Some of these activities include interacting with patients at Children’s Hospital Orange County and attending a workshop with a spinal cord injury patient and advocate from the VA Long Beach Healthcare System. The stem cell interns will also participate in three different types of community outreach and education activities. The interns will use social media to reach many groups of Californians by contributing to a YouTube channel and a Facebook page. The interns will educate a diverse academic population by presenting at a symposium. Finally, the interns will have direct contact with community leaders and the general public by participating in panel presentations for a leadership program and a local community college. These activities could initiate a life-long appreciation of regenerative medicine stem cell technologies. This will have a significant impact on our society given the role of the voting population in the funding and promoting of advanced technologies.
Extensive mentoring, advising, and workshops throughout and after the program will ensure successful academic and career placement for current participants and alumni. This program has a history of successfully training students for graduate study and for the California workforce.
Statement of Benefit to California:
The goal of the proposed program is to train students, representing the diversity of California, to enter the stem cell research workforce and accelerate the development of stem-cell based therapies to treat or cure patients. Both the State of California and its citizens will greatly benefit from this program. At this large, urban, State University, nearly all of the students are California citizens (more than 95%). These students reflect the ethnic mosaic of the local communities and will enrich the scientific enterprise with their unique perspectives. They will also educate their communities by sharing the knowledge and experience they gain in this training program.
The California workforce will benefit from these diverse students being prepared to pursue careers in stem cell research, therapy, and regenerative medicine. During the two-year stem cell track of the post-baccalaureate Biotechnology Certificate Program, students receive specialized training and complete coursework including biotechnology, drug development and the regulatory pathway, and bioethics. Ten interns per year will then perform one-year full-time research internships in stem cell laboratories at Cedars-Sinai, City of Hope, and UC Irvine. They will also participate in patient engagement activities to increase their awareness of the challenges patients face in daily life. This should motivate them to accelerate the development of stem cell-based therapies. The interns will engage in community outreach activities, with leadership groups and community colleges, to inform the public about the medical and biological advances of stem cell research. These activities may have a significant impact on the State of California given the role of the voting population in the funding and promotion of advanced technologies.
Students receive extensive mentoring throughout the program, including workshops in writing and submitting applications, in interviewing skills, and in scientific career advancement. These skills are critical for our students, many of whom are first in their families to attend University or first generation U.S. citizens. Alumni of the program will continue to receive support as they advance their careers in stem cell research and regenerative medicine in the State of California.
The State of California benefits by having a diverse and highly skilled workforce. This will facilitate the establishment of stem cell companies that translate this technology into the regenerative medicine marketplace and contribute to the tax base. This will also lead to the development of novel therapies to meet patient needs. Ultimately, recruiting and retaining new scientists in the California workforce will help foster the growth of the high-tech biomedical sector of the California economy.
This University has a long history of successfully training large numbers of diverse students for graduate study and for the California workforce.
