CIRM Graduate Student Training Grant for the Implementation of a Stem Cell Technology and Lab Management Program: Training in Stem Cell Sciences and Regenerative Medicine
California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is the only public university in Ventura County, a region that is rapidly developing into a biotechnology hub. Currently, no research university serves this area. Since its inception in 2001, CSUCI has established one of the most successful professional science master’s degree programs in biotechnology and an innovative MS Biotechnology and MBA dual degree program within the CSU system with a robust enrollment of more than 150 plus students. The Stem Cell Technology and Lab Management (SCTLM) emphasis within the MS degree program was implemented in 2009 after receiving a 3-year Bridges award from CIRM. The purpose of this emphasis was to provide intensive training to students in the field of stem cell technology via engagement in cutting-edge stem cell courses and a mandatory 1-year internship at a CIRM approved facility. The grant was renewed in 2012 for another three years until 2015, and in 2015 we received a 1-year No Cost extension until 2016. We have thus successfully completed 7 years in this emphasis and graduated a total of 83 students since 2009, 70 of whom received funding from CIRM for their internships. In 2016 we received a new EDUC 2 Bridges II Award from CIRM for 5 years and currently we are finishing Year 1 of this grant. Our 2016-2017 cohort of students, which is the first cohort in this grant cycle will be graduating in August 2016. We have recruited cohort 2 students as well, who will commence their internships in August, 2017.
Our training program requires students enrolled in the SCTLM emphasis to complete a set of four common core courses as well as six required courses focusing on molecular cell biology, bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics, stem cell culture techniques, cell culture facility management, regenerative medicine, project management, biotech law & regulation and an internship. These courses are being offered in various formats-in-classroom, online, seminar, full lecture/lab and 1-year internship and thus allow students to experience the full benefits of a diverse educational regimen. In addition, students are also required to complete 3-4 elective courses from a pool of 21 electives offered. As a result of this roadmap, interns complete more than 400 hours of coursework and also learn about the research of stem cell experts through a seminar course that typically invites 10-12 researchers from CIRM funded institutions. Before the start of the internship students are required to complete a week long intensive stem cell training workshop offered at an off-site location, typically in the summer. The most valuable experience for the students is the 1-year internship whereby they acquire skills in stem cell techniques, work on an original independent research project, establish collaborations with other scientists in the field, network with peers and project themselves as skilled researchers in stem cell technology. Thus, the curriculum within this emphasis consistently offers students a variety of options to expand their knowledge and lab skills in stem cell sciences. In addition to didactic instruction and the internship, the interns also participate in auxiliary activities in four areas- healthcare and patient engagement, community outreach, educational enhancement and career development.
CSUCI has established a mentor database from a plethora of host institutions that conduct world-class research such as the Scripps Research Institute, Salk Institute, the Beckman Center at City of Hope, Loma Linda university, Stanford, UCSB, USC, UCR, UCSD, UCSC, UCSF, UCD, UC Merced, Cedars-Sinai Center, the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Sanford Burnham Institute, Stanford and Western university. The CIRM Bridges award has provided us the opportunity to avail of these institutions as training sites which has proven to be an excellent platform for the students to fulfill the unmet need for highly qualified technical personnel in stem cell research technology. Interns have frequently been offered employment by these host institutions after finishing their internships and this reflects the confidence that researchers are placing in our interns. Graduating interns tend to continue their scientific endeavors and fulfill the need for stem cell biologists in California.
The training program has directly made a key contribution to the stem cell efforts supported by the people of California as evidenced by our interns’ interest in pursuing future research in the stem cell areas either via seeking employment in the R & D sectors of stem cell based biotech companies or labs in academia and also pursuing PhD programs. Our interns have spoken at community events held on our campus and increased the transparency of the SCTLM emphasis and CIRM funded research. This training program made possible by the CIRM Bridges award has gained tremendous popularity at CSUCI and continues to garner wide interest.
Reporting Period:
Year 2
California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is the only public university in Ventura County, a region that is rapidly developing into a biotechnology hub. Currently, no research university serves this area. Since its inception in 2001, CSUCI has established one of the most successful professional science master’s degree programs in biotechnology and an innovative MS Biotechnology and MBA dual degree program within the CSU system with a robust enrollment of more than 150 plus students. The Stem Cell Technology and Lab Management (SCTLM) emphasis within the MS degree program was implemented in 2009 after receiving a Bridges award from CIRM. The purpose of this emphasis was to provide intensive training to students in the field of stem cell technology via engagement in cutting-edge stem cell courses and a mandatory 1-year internship at a CIRM approved facility. In 2016 we received a new EDUC 2 Bridges II Award from CIRM for 5 years and currently we are finishing Year 2 of this grant. Our 2017-2018 cohort of students, which is the second cohort in this grant cycle will be graduating in August 2018. We have recruited cohort 3 students as well, who will commence their internships in August, 2018.
Our training program requires students enrolled in the SCTLM emphasis to complete a set of four common core courses as well as six required courses focusing on molecular cell biology, bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics, stem cell culture techniques, cell culture facility management, regenerative medicine, project management, biotech law & regulation and an internship. These courses are being offered in various formats-in-classroom, online, seminar, full lecture/lab and 1-year internship and thus allow students to experience the full benefits of a diverse educational regimen. In addition, students are also required to complete 3-4 elective courses from a pool of 21 electives offered. As a result of this roadmap, interns complete more than 400 hours of coursework and also learn about the research of stem cell experts through a seminar course that typically invites 10-12 researchers from CIRM funded institutions. Before the start of the internship students are required to complete a week long intensive stem cell training workshop offered at an off-site location, typically in the summer. The most valuable experience for the students is the 1-year internship whereby they acquire skills in stem cell techniques, work on an original independent research project, establish collaborations with other scientists in the field, network with peers and project themselves as skilled researchers in stem cell technology. Thus, the curriculum within this emphasis consistently offers students a variety of options to expand their knowledge and lab skills in stem cell sciences. In addition to didactic instruction and the internship, the interns also participate in auxiliary activities in four areas- healthcare and patient engagement, community outreach, educational enhancement and career development.
CSUCI has established a mentor database from a plethora of host institutions that conduct world-class research such as the Scripps Research Institute, Salk Institute, the Beckman Center at City of Hope, Loma Linda university, Stanford, UCSB, USC, UCR, UCSD, UCSC, UCSF, UCD, UC Merced, Cedars-Sinai Center, the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Stanford university. The CIRM Bridges award has provided us the opportunity to avail of these institutions as training sites which has proven to be an excellent platform for the students to fulfill the unmet need for highly qualified technical personnel in stem cell research technology. Interns have frequently been offered employment by these host institutions after finishing their internships and this reflects the confidence that researchers are placing in our interns. Graduating interns tend to continue their scientific endeavors and fulfill the need for stem cell biologists in California.
The training program has directly made a key contribution to the stem cell efforts supported by the people of California as evidenced by our interns’ interest in pursuing future research in the stem cell areas either via seeking employment in the R & D sectors of stem cell based biotech companies or labs in academia and also pursuing PhD programs. Our interns have spoken at community events held on our campus and increased the transparency of the SCTLM emphasis and CIRM funded research. This training program made possible by the CIRM Bridges award has gained tremendous popularity at CSUCI and continues to garner wide interest.
Reporting Period:
Year 3
California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is the only public university in Ventura County, a region that is rapidly developing into a biotechnology hub. Currently, no research university serves this area. Since its inception in 2001, CSUCI has established one of the most successful professional science master’s degree programs in biotechnology and an innovative MS Biotechnology and MBA dual degree program within the CSU system with a robust enrollment of more than 165 students. The Stem Cell Technology and Lab Management (SCTLM) emphasis within the MS degree program was implemented in 2009 after receiving a Bridges award from CIRM. The purpose of this emphasis was to provide intensive training to students in the field of stem cell technology via engagement in cutting-edge stem cell courses and a mandatory 1-year internship at a CIRM approved facility. In 2016 we received a new EDUC 2 Bridges II Award from CIRM for 5 years and currently we are finishing Year 3 of this grant. Our 2018-2019 cohort of students, which is the third cohort in this grant cycle graduated in early September 2019. We have recruited cohort 4 students as well, who started their internships in August, 2019.
Our training program requires students enrolled in the SCTLM emphasis to complete a set of four common core courses as well as six required courses focusing on molecular cell biology, bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics, stem cell culture techniques, cell culture facility management, regenerative medicine, project management, biotech law & regulation and an internship. These courses are being offered in various formats-in-classroom, online, seminar, full lecture/lab and 1-year internship and thus allow students to experience the full benefits of a diverse educational regimen. In addition, students are also required to complete 3-4 elective courses from a pool of 21 electives offered. As a result of this roadmap, interns complete more than 400 hours of coursework and also learn about the research of stem cell experts through a seminar course that typically invites 10-12 researchers from CIRM funded institutions. Before the start of the internship students are required to complete a week long intensive stem cell training workshop offered at an off-site location, typically in the summer. The most valuable experience for the students is the 1-year internship whereby they acquire skills in stem cell techniques, work on an original independent research project, establish collaborations with other scientists in the field, network with peers and project themselves as skilled researchers in stem cell technology. Thus, the curriculum within this emphasis consistently offers students a variety of options to expand their knowledge and lab skills in stem cell sciences. In addition to didactic instruction and the internship, the interns also participate in auxiliary activities in four areas- healthcare and patient engagement, community outreach, educational enhancement and career development. In addition, in collaboration with the Americans for Cures foundation, our students are also involved in patient advocacy programs.
CSUCI has established a mentor database from a plethora of host institutions that conduct world-class research such as the Scripps Research Institute, Salk Institute, the Beckman Center at City of Hope, Loma Linda university, Stanford, UCSB, USC, UCR, UCSD, UCSC, UCSF, UCD, UC Merced, Cedars-Sinai Center, the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Stanford university. The CIRM Bridges award has provided us the opportunity to avail of these institutions as training sites which has proven to be an excellent platform for the students to fulfill the unmet need for highly qualified technical personnel in stem cell research technology. Interns have frequently been offered employment by these host institutions after finishing their internships and this reflects the confidence that researchers are placing in our interns. Graduating interns tend to continue their scientific endeavors and fulfill the need for stem cell biologists in California. Future endeavors of our interns have been varying- with several opting for the industry, some continuing to work in the academia while others pursuing PhD programs.
The training program has directly made a key contribution to the stem cell efforts supported by the people of California as evidenced by our interns’ interest in pursuing future research in the stem cell areas either via seeking employment in the R & D sectors of stem cell based biotech companies or labs in academia and also pursuing PhD programs. Our interns have spoken at community events held on our campus and increased the transparency of the SCTLM emphasis and CIRM funded research. This training program made possible by the CIRM Bridges award has gained tremendous popularity at CSUCI and continues to garner wide interest.
Reporting Period:
Year 4
California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is the only public university in Ventura County, a region that is rapidly developing into a biotechnology hub. Currently, no research university serves this area. Since its inception in 2001, CSUCI has established one of the most successful professional science master’s degree programs in biotechnology and an innovative MS Biotechnology and MBA dual degree program within the CSU system with a robust enrollment of more than 165 students. The Stem Cell Technology and Lab Management (SCTLM) emphasis within the MS degree program was implemented in 2009 after receiving a Bridges award from CIRM. The purpose of this emphasis was to provide intensive training to students in the field of stem cell technology via engagement in cutting-edge stem cell courses and a mandatory 1-year internship at a CIRM approved facility. In 2016 we received a new EDUC 2 Bridges II Award from CIRM for 5 years and currently we are finishing Year 4 of this grant. Our 2019-2020 cohort of students, which is the fourth cohort in this grant cycle graduated in early September 2020. We have recruited cohort 5 students as well, who started their internships in August, 2020.
Our training program requires students enrolled in the SCTLM emphasis to complete a set of four common core courses as well as six required courses focusing on molecular cell biology, bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics, stem cell culture techniques, cell culture facility management, regenerative medicine, project management, biotech law & regulation and an internship. These courses are being offered in various formats-in-classroom, online, seminar, full lecture/lab and 1-year internship and thus allow students to experience the full benefits of a diverse educational regimen. In addition, students are also required to complete 3-4 elective courses from a pool of 21 electives offered. As a result of this roadmap, interns complete more than 400 hours of coursework and also learn about the research of stem cell experts through a seminar course that typically invites 10-12 researchers from CIRM funded institutions. Before the start of the internship students are required to complete a week long intensive stem cell training workshop offered at an off-site location, typically in the summer. The most valuable experience for the students is the 1-year internship whereby they acquire skills in stem cell techniques, work on an original independent research project, establish collaborations with other scientists in the field, network with peers and project themselves as skilled researchers in stem cell technology. Thus, the curriculum within this emphasis consistently offers students a variety of options to expand their knowledge and lab skills in stem cell sciences. In addition to didactic instruction and the internship, the interns also participate in auxiliary activities in four areas- healthcare and patient engagement, community outreach, educational enhancement and career development. In addition, in collaboration with the Americans for Cures foundation, our students are also involved in patient advocacy programs.
CSUCI has established a mentor database from a plethora of host institutions that conduct world-class research such as the Scripps Research Institute, Salk Institute, the Beckman Center at City of Hope, Loma Linda university, Stanford, UCSB, USC, UCR, UCSD, UCSC, UCSF, UCD, UC Merced, Cedars-Sinai Center, the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Stanford university. The CIRM Bridges award has provided us the opportunity to avail of these institutions as training sites which has proven to be an excellent platform for the students to fulfill the unmet need for highly qualified technical personnel in stem cell research technology. Interns have frequently been offered employment by these host institutions after finishing their internships and this reflects the confidence that researchers are placing in our interns. Graduating interns tend to continue their scientific endeavors and fulfill the need for stem cell biologists in California. Future endeavors of our interns have been varying- with several opting for the industry, some continuing to work in the academia while others pursuing PhD programs.
The training program has directly made a key contribution to the stem cell efforts supported by the people of California as evidenced by our interns’ interest in pursuing future research in the stem cell areas either via seeking employment in the R & D sectors of stem cell based biotech companies or labs in academia and also pursuing PhD programs. Our interns have spoken at community events held on our campus and increased the transparency of the SCTLM emphasis and CIRM funded research. This training program made possible by the CIRM Bridges award has gained tremendous popularity at CSUCI and continues to garner wide interest.
Reporting Period:
Year 5 – Supplemental
California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is the only public university in Ventura County, a region that is rapidly developing into a biotechnology hub. Currently, no research university serves this area. Since its inception in 2001, CSUCI has established one of the most successful professional science master’s degree programs in biotechnology and an innovative MS Biotechnology and MBA dual degree program within the CSU system with a robust enrollment of more than 115 students. The Stem Cell Technology and Lab Management (SCTLM) emphasis within the MS degree program was implemented in 2009 after receiving a Bridges award from CIRM. The purpose of this emphasis was to provide intensive training to students in the field of stem cell technology via engagement in cutting-edge stem cell courses and a mandatory 1-year internship at a CIRM approved facility. In 2016 we received a new EDUC 2 Bridges II Award from CIRM for 5 years and currently we are finishing Year 5 of this grant. Our 2020-2021 cohort of students, which is the last cohort in this grant cycle graduated in late August, 2021.
Our training program requires students enrolled in the SCTLM emphasis to complete a set of four common core courses as well as six required courses focusing on molecular cell biology, bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics, stem cell culture techniques, cell culture facility management, regenerative medicine, project management, biotech law & regulation and an internship. These courses are being offered in various formats-in-classroom, online, seminar, full lecture/lab and 1-year internship and thus allow students to experience the full benefits of a diverse educational regimen. In addition, students are also required to complete 3-4 elective courses from a pool of 21 electives offered. As a result of this roadmap, interns complete more than 400 hours of coursework and also learn about the research of stem cell experts through a seminar course that typically invites 10-12 researchers from CIRM funded institutions. Before the start of the internship students are required to complete a week long intensive stem cell training workshop offered at an off-site location, typically in the summer. The most valuable experience for the students is the 1-year internship whereby they acquire skills in stem cell techniques, work on an original independent research project, establish collaborations with other scientists in the field, network with peers and project themselves as skilled researchers in stem cell technology. Thus, the curriculum within this emphasis consistently offers students a variety of options to expand their knowledge and lab skills in stem cell sciences. In addition to didactic instruction and the internship, the interns also participate in auxiliary activities in four areas- healthcare and patient engagement, community outreach, educational enhancement and career development. In addition, in collaboration with the Americans for Cures foundation, our students are also involved in patient advocacy programs.
CSUCI has established a mentor database from a plethora of host institutions that conduct world-class research such as the Scripps Research Institute, Salk Institute, the Beckman Center at City of Hope, Loma Linda university, Stanford, UCSB, USC, UCR, UCSD, UCSC, UCSF, UCD, UC Merced, Cedars-Sinai Center, the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Stanford university. The CIRM Bridges award has provided us the opportunity to avail of these institutions as training sites which has proven to be an excellent platform for the students to fulfill the unmet need for highly qualified technical personnel in stem cell research technology. Interns have frequently been offered employment by these host institutions after finishing their internships and this reflects the confidence that researchers are placing in our interns. Graduating interns tend to continue their scientific endeavors and fulfill the need for stem cell biologists in California. Future endeavors of our interns have been varying- with several opting for the industry, some continuing to work in the academia while others pursuing PhD programs.
The training program has directly made a key contribution to the stem cell efforts supported by the people of California as evidenced by our interns’ interest in pursuing future research in the stem cell areas either via seeking employment in the R & D sectors of stem cell based biotech companies or labs in academia and also pursuing PhD programs. Our interns have spoken at community events held on our campus and increased the transparency of the SCTLM emphasis and CIRM funded research. This training program made possible by the CIRM Bridges award has gained tremendous popularity at CSUCI and continues to garner wide interest.
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
CIRM Graduate Student Training Grant for the Implementation of a Stem Cell Technology and Lab Management Program: Training in Stem Cell Sciences and Regenerative Medicine
Public Abstract:
Our campus has led the way in developing one of the most successful professional biotechnology master’s program in the California State University (CSU) system, as well as an innovative Master of Science (MS) Biotechnology and MBA dual degree program. The degree structure permits students to custom-design their curriculum under an advisor’s guidance, making the degree especially relevant for students employed in today’s diverse biotechnology workplace. Together, these programs have a current enrollment of 121 regionally and demographically diverse students. We have successfully graduated 266 MS students; all are either employed in the biotech industry, academic sector or pursuing doctoral degrees. In the past six years, 77 students have been extensively trained in stem cell sciences within the Stem Cell Technology and Lab Management (SCTLM) emphasis as a result of a robust curriculum and partnerships with 15 different institutions providing year-long internship opportunities to our students. With a curriculum requiring students to take cutting-edge courses in the areas of molecular sciences, genomics, proteomics, quality assurance, biotech law, management and stem cell techniques, our students are assured of receiving excellent training.
For the training program in this emphasis, each year 10 MS Biotechnology students will be supported by CIRM and our campus is committed to supporting five additional interns each year for a total of 75 interns over 5 years. Because the campus has well-established collaborative relationships with local biotechnology firms and research institutions, the instructors include not only academic faculty, but also senior scientists, professionals, and experienced business managers from the industry. We are committed to continuing this innovative public-private partnership in support of the MS Biotechnology program and the stem cell emphasis in particular. Through innovative programs embedded within our curriculum important career tracks are provided for students in the STEM disciplines with the potential to become one of the most successful and sustainable programs in the CSU system; a key contributor to fulfilling a critical need for highly qualified technical and managerial personnel in stem cell research technology.
Continuation of this training program will directly make a major contribution to the stem cell efforts supported by the people of California as evidenced by the interns’ interest in pursuing future research in the stem cell areas either via seeking employment in the R & D sectors of stem cell based biotech companies or via applying to a PhD program. Our interns have spoken at community events held on our campus and increased the transparency of the SCTLM emphasis and CIRM funded research. This training program has gained tremendous popularity in the past several years and future support will prove to be instrumental in recruiting the best students to augment the California scientific workforce.
Statement of Benefit to California:
Students completing the stem cell program in our MS Biotechnology degree program will be qualified to pursue careers that require knowledge of state-of-the-art scientific principles and knowledge underlying advances in biotechnology along with legal and intellectual property issues. The program is not only comprehensive, but prepares the students to be effective managers in biotechnology-related companies, agencies and organizations by giving them the knowledge and skills needed to advance in science and business roles, thus directly benefiting the state of California in a variety of professions. Our Master of Science in Biotechnology and Master of Business Administration is an innovative dual degree program that blends key components of biological sciences and business at the graduate level. Students receiving training in the stem cell sciences and completing an MBA will directly contribute to the regional and national needs of a well-educated workforce in the stem cell technology industry which is subject to heavy layers of regulation.
The proposed program will enable us to provide extensive stem cell training to our students in world-class labs, allowing them to learn sophisticated stem cell techniques under the tutelage of experts and work on projects directly contributing to the study, treatment and potential cure of diseases. In addition to didactic training, students will receive opportunities to interact with health advocacy groups, patients and medical personnel, thus enabling them experience with the non-classroom component of the program. Additionally, students will be able to enhance the visibility of stem cell research and potential therapies via a variety of community outreach events, thus bridging the gap in the transfer of knowledge from lab to California citizenry. As a result of its rigor and quality, the training program will provide a highly rewarding scientific experience to our interns.
A recent study conducted by Georgia Institute of Technology [Cell Stem Cell, 2015; 16 (2): 115 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2015.01.007] found that stem cell funding programs in California have contributed to an increase in the share of publications in the field produced in this state. This is a clear reflection of how a training program dedicated to students is capable of reaping big benefits. As the largest public university system, the CSU is uniquely positioned to significantly impact California’s workforce of skilled stem cell scientists. California is now home to the largest publicly available stem cell bank in the world and maintenance of these cell lines requires personnel who have received adequate and comprehensive training. These cell lines are valuable in understanding and modeling human diseases as well as in the area of regenerative medicine. Students funded by the proposed training program will play a major role in enhancing California’s image in the stem cell areas and educating the citizens about the promising potential of stem cells.
