Bridges to Stem Cell Research and Therapy: A Talent Development Program for Training Diverse Undergraduates for Careers in Regenerative Medicine

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Grant Award Details

Grant Type:

Bridges

Grant Number:

EDUC2-12734

Investigator(s):

Name:

Dr. Nilay V Patel

Institution:

Cal State Univ, Fullerton

Type:

Award Value:

$3,530,873

Status:

Active

Progress Reports

Reporting Period:

Year 1 (17 months)

The Bridges to Stem Cell Research (BSCR) program at California State University Fullerton (CSUF) has provided academic and practical training in stem cell research to 118 undergraduate students since its inception in 2010. Approximately 40% of these 110 interns were first-generation, and 50% were Pell Grant recipients. These students have completed full-time internships with one of 64 internship mentors at six institutions. Over 40% of these interns have published one or more peer-reviewed articles with their mentor, which is an amazing accomplishment for CSUF undergraduates. The internship mentors considered 75% of the interns to either “meet” or be “above expectations” when compared to first-year Ph.D. students at their institutions. More than 55 interns continued as full-time employees in their internship lab after graduating from CSUF. CSUF BSCR alumni work in academia or biotech as researchers (50%), medical field (25%), in graduate school (15%), or in other post-graduate degrees (10%). Regenerative medicine approaches used by our internship mentors hold the promise to ameliorate or cure many ailments. The selected CSUF BSCR undergraduate students have enjoyed amazing opportunities to learn about various projects, engage in full-time research and master techniques that are not available to any other CSUF biology and biochemistry majors. Most of these students did not know much about stem cells a few years earlier and may not have considered research as a career path. These new research contributors will continue to inform their families and communities about science and promote scientific research. The initial Bridges grant facilitated the development of advanced-level stem cell and biotechnology research courses, which also benefit other CSUF students. For the undergraduates selected into the program (BSCR interns), the BSCR curriculum trains them for future research careers in the booming field of regenerative medicine. The CSUF BSCR training program requires successful completion of five courses prior to starting their internship: Essential Techniques in Cell Biology lab (B329), Stem Cell Biology lecture (B427), Techniques in Stem Cell Biology lab (B429), a course in regulatory affairs (B425 or BTEC 120), BSCR Professional Seminar (B480C; research proposal and presentation preparation), and independent research courses (B499L). The continued support has allowed for further training through five workshops focused on Research and Stem Cell Ethics, Leadership in Research Projects, Soft Skills, Time Management, and Data Science. The interns also learn about patients’ experiences through online discussions, curating a virtual library of patient experiences (finding videos, blogs, etc.), and writing self-reflections. Depending on the internship year, the interns have made general presentations at the local schools, CSUF events, or through social media. The CSUF BSCR program faculty guided interns with the selection of their own internship mentors. This is an intimidating process for undergraduates, and the BSCR program facilitates progress in identifying their internship mentors through several mini-assignments with formative feedback. After the initial introduction by the program, all the communications with the internship lab are conducted by the intern. The CSUF BSCR faculty meet with the interns (as a group and individually) to provide guidance on how to approach the next steps of communication. The interns must prepare a thorough 10-page research proposal based on information they collect from their internship mentors and a literature review prior to starting their internship. Through these processes (i.e., courses, workshops, project discussions, guidance, and counseling as needed), the program can transform undergraduates who may not know much about stem cell research into successful, well-rounded, communicative interns.

Grant Application Details

Application Title:

Bridges to Stem Cell Research and Therapy: A Talent Development Program for Training Diverse Undergraduates for Careers in Regenerative Medicine

Public Abstract:

Designed specifically for a highly diverse student population, this Bridges program focuses on selecting students who are genuinely interested in advancing the field of regenerative medicine and providing them with high-impact practices such as hands-on research training, product-oriented coursework, one-on-one mentoring, soft skills development, innovative community outreach programs, and personalized patient engagement activities. At least ten biology or biochemistry majors will be selected as scholars annually, for up to 50. Additional funded positions may be available from our partner biotechnology companies.

The program has been configured with inclusive practices that lower the barriers to participation: there is no minimum GPA or previous research experience required. There is also an increased emphasis on the applicants’ desire to help advance biomedical innovation leading to therapy. Accepted students then benefit from the presence of multiple mentors in the training as well as at the internship sites.

The program will consist of a seven-month training on the home campus, followed by a 12-month internship in a stem cell research lab at one of four internship host institutions. Based on our previous success, two biotechnology companies have indicated an interest in sponsoring an intern, which would allow the program to train additional students. All coursework can be applied toward the B.S. in biological science or a minor in cell and molecular biology and thus is fully integrated into B.S. degree programs.

The preparatory training on the home campus will consist of 1) five biology courses to strengthen the fundamentals scholars will need for their research internships, 2) an advanced cell culture techniques course taught at the internship site, 3) a hands-on research project in a faculty lab to impart basic knowledge of research lab operations, 4) a proseminar to prepare scholars for internships, 5) patient engagement activities, 6) five workshops to broaden their horizons and soft skills, and 7) community outreach and education activities.

The scholars will then engage in a full-time, year-long research internship, carrying out a project focused on development of stem cell-based therapies at a partnering internship host institution, under the direction of a research mentor. All four internship host institutions have been awarded CIRM grants. Through the internships, scholars will gain additional project-specific technical skills as well as the conceptual underpinnings necessary to solve problems in a particular stem cell research area.

The overarching goal will be to fulfill all of CIRM’s objectives for Bridges 3.0. In the process the program will create a cadre of diverse, highly capable interns who have the knowledge, proficiency, and desire to contribute to the development of stem cell-based therapies and go on to advanced degrees and careers in related fields.

Statement of Benefit to California:

CIRM’s role in advancing stem cell biology has generated scores of opportunities for biotech innovation and medical revolution in California. The state has become a world leader in regenerative medicine, spawning new companies and creating well-paid jobs that require highly qualified Californians to fill them. Traditional biology curriculum does not provide the broad perspectives or sufficient hands-on experiences to prepare an undergraduate for an entry-level position in a biotech company run by experienced researchers with PhDs. Bridges programs like ours will help address the gap between what an undergraduate student knows and what the biotech companies seek in their new hires. Recognition of our past Bridges interns has prompted company executives to create a path for our interns to join their organizations. Over the next five years, our Bridges program will train 50 or more undergraduate biology and biochemistry majors as scholars and researchers with hands-on training in cell, molecular, and stem cell biology techniques. We will seek undergraduates from our diverse student population who come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and/or are the first in their family to attend college, and then train them to be exceptional interns in the labs of world leaders at our partnering institutions. Many of our Bridges alumni are pursuing advanced degrees, and some have already completed doctoral and professional degrees. This, in turn, is likely to increase the number of stem cell investigators and support staff in the future workforce, and having qualified employees will increase innovation and productivity in California’s stem cell-based companies. Historically, over 70% of students from this campus remain in California, which means much of the workforce talent will be retained locally. In time, this will likely lead to the translation of discoveries into new therapeutics and diagnostics, benefiting Californians as well as people around the world. Successful stem cell-based companies, staffed by highly qualified scientists and technicians, will also contribute significant tax revenue to the state and enrich California’s economy. Moreover, selecting diverse students interested in regenerative medicine will allow underrepresented populations to find employment in one of the fastest-growing sectors of our economy. Their participation is one approach by which communities that have been excluded from high-tech jobs may engage in the future of medicine. This is of enormous benefit to our state because these researchers will be able to bring diverse thoughts, opinions, beliefs, perspectives, and problem-solving skills to the rapidly growing stem cell research enterprise. Our community outreach approaches will also engage large numbers of students and members of the community to learn about advances in stem cell biology, which will help develop an informed citizenry within California.