Year 1

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.

First cohort funded by CIRM 2 grant:
During fall semester they participated in stem cell biology core classes with intensive laboratory practical work, molecular biology lab lecture class, developmental biology class. In the spring students participated for the first time in the pilot classes: Bench to Bed Side, Patient interaction, community outreach. All classes went smooth and were very informative and inspirational for the students. Additionally students also participated in graduate level writing class, flow cytometry and additional elective classes.
A second goal of the SJSU SCILL Program is to provide an educational experience for non-science majors and the general public in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. For the first time this year we conducted Stem cell awareness day at SJSU in October 2016.students for the program created booth that provided discussion and tools for understanding stem cells to walk by SJSU students.
A second public event was hold in May 11, 2017 at the general public library in San Jose. Kevin McCormack lectured and provided insights on stem cell therapies. SCILL students provided more specific information on the promised of stem cells in Diabetes, spinal cord injury and Leukemia.

Throughout this period, funds from 1 year CIRM 2 were also used to recruit a new cohort SCILL 2017 that will start the program in Fall 2017.

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 and was replaced by Dr. Grillo-Hill.
No additional administrative changes occurred during this report period.