Our in-person summer research program offered exciting hands-on research opportunities to our high school interns during the summer of 2022. The main focus of the program was for these students to learn how to design and carry out experiments under the mentorship of a graduate student, fellow or Faculty member. The high school students were placed in various stem cell research labs and they were each paired with a one-on-one mentor. In addition to carrying out research experiments, these students also had the opportunity to participate in foundational lectures in the stem cell research area which gave them a strong grasp of the fundamentals of stem cell biology. They also attended several joint Faculty lectures and special seminars on topics such as careers in science and how to write a research abstract and make a research poster. The students also had the opportunity to attend weekly lab meetings and peer interactive social events. At the end of the program, these students presented their research poster at a poster session open to family and program staff and mentors held on campus. All the students did an excellent job on their research projects and their presentations. Because of this internship program, there were many benefits for the students, mentors and for the future of stem cell research in California. For many of these students, this was the first time they had an opportunity to work in a research lab. As these students came from very diverse backgrounds, this experience had a great impact on how they viewed scientific research and the many career options that they could explore in the future. This experience also taught them valuable techniques and skills that they will be able to use in future lab experiences in college and graduate school. The students were also able to learn the value of what it means to work collaboratively as part of a lab and to have interactions with other scientists within the lab. Furthermore, because of this opportunity, one of the major benefits was the self confidence that could be built in these students as they were able to contribute in a meaningful way to the labs' research aims. Overall, this internship provided students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to engage in cutting edge research in stem cell biology and to be part of the pipeline of students who will be our future STEM researchers.
Reporting Period:
Year 2
Our summer research program in 2023 offered hands-on research opportunities to 10 high school students. The students interned in various stem cell research labs and learned how to design and carry out experiments under the direct mentorship of a graduate student, post-doc or research staff. The interns had the opportunity to attend many lectures in the stem cell field which were focused on the fundamentals of stem cell biology and the techniques involved in biomedical research They also attended 6 joint group lectures and special seminars on topics such as careers in science and how to write a research abstract and make a research poster. Students also had the opportunity to participate in weekly lab meetings and other interactive social events. At the end of the program, the students had the opportunity to present an oral powerpoint presentation to the entire group and they also presented their research poster at a poster session open to the community held on campus. All the students did a wonderful job on their research projects and their presentations. Because of this internship program, there were many benefits for the students, mentors and for the future of stem cell research in California. For many of these students, this was the first time they had an opportunity to work in a research lab. As these students came from very diverse backgrounds, this experience had a profound impact on how they viewed scientific research and the many career options that they could explore in the future. This experience also taught them valuable skills that they will be able to use in future lab experiences in college and graduate school. The students had the opportunity to meet other students who were also passionate about scientific research and through the many small group sessions, they were also able to build strong peer relationships within the group. These students learned the value of working collaboratively as part of a lab and to have interactions with other trained scientists within the lab. Furthermore, because of this opportunity, one of the major benefits was the self confidence that could be built in these students as they were able to contribute in a meaningful way to the labs' research aims. This internship also provided valuable mentoring experiences for the direct mentors for these students as well. In summary, this internship had many benefits for everyone involved. It provided students from various backgrounds the opportunity to engage in cutting edge research in stem cell biology and to be part of the pipeline of students who will be our future researchers.
Reporting Period:
Year 3
Public Summary:
During the summer of 2024, our program had the opportunity to host 10 high school students from diverse backgrounds. Similar to last year’s program, under the direct mentorship of a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow or research staff, the students participated in hands-on research projects in the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. The mentors in the program participated in a mentor training session to learn about effective practices in working with high school students. The staff and teaching assistants were also trained in DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) best practices. In preparation for the program, the student interns took extensive lab safety training courses. They also had the opportunity to learn about the basics of stem cell biology and to be trained on basic lab techniques during the first few weeks of the program. In addition, the students attended lectures taught by Faculty members on broader subjects in the field of regenerative medicine as well as other biomedical research areas. Participation in lab meetings and interaction with other lab members gave the students the opportunity to learn about other stem cell related research areas and the collaborative efforts involved in research. To supplement the internship experience, the students learned about community efforts and the broad-reaching effects of stem cell research through our partnership with the NMDP Organization as the students learned about how patients could benefit, and the volunteer opportunities that existed to serve the community. The students were also taught valuable life lessons through hearing from current college and graduate students from diverse backgrounds about educational pathways, college preparation and career advice. At the conclusion of the program, the students all gave an oral powerpoint presentation describing their summer research and presented their research poster at a program poster session that was open to the community. They also participated in the CIRM SPARKS Conference where they presented their work and learned about the vast variety of stem cell and regenerative medicine research occurring at over 10 sites across California. This valuable CIRM SPARKS internship allowed these students from diverse backgrounds the unique opportunity to participate in hands-on research, to be mentored by outstanding graduate students and Faculty mentors, and to form strong peer networks which greatly enhanced the learning experience beyond their high school courses.
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine- High School Summer Research Internship
Public Abstract:
The proposed research internship will strengthen the future of stem cell research in California by providing California high school students the exciting opportunity to experience hands-on research in various areas within stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. The internship aims to recruit a diverse group of participants from underrepresented ethnicities and/or low socioeconomic backgrounds. Participating students will be mentored directly by graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and Faculty within various stem cell related research labs. During the first part of the research internship, there will be an overview of the program, review of biology basics, an introduction to the stem cell field, and a research bootcamp on lab skills and techniques. Students will also be taught foundational concepts of the stem cell field through the opportunity to attend a lecture series course in stem cell biology taught by graduate students. Additional lectures will be taught by Faculty and will include learning practical skills such as how to read a journal article, write an abstract and design a research poster. Students will attend talks by speakers from diverse backgrounds who will also share their educational pathway and life story and will also hear talks about various public health issues and diseases that disproportionately have an effect on underrepresented communities to increase awareness. In addition, students will have the opportunity to attend special seminars regarding the college application process and graduate school/medical school educational paths by current undergrad, MD and PhD students to better prepare the students for the future. In addition, students will participate in some patient engagement and community service activities to enrich the internship experience. The student interns will have several opportunities to present their research projects including presentation at lab meetings as well as presentation of their research poster at an end of summer poster session which is open to the community. The goal of the internship is for the students to be well trained in essential laboratory techniques and to motivate them to reinforce their excitement for stem cell and regenerative medicine research in the future. Another goal is that the participating students will disseminate their excitement for stem cell and regenerative medicine to their families, classmates in high school, and local communities especially through the end of summer poster session. The discoveries that these students will contribute to in their labs will further help to promote stem cell research in California and throughout the world. The ultimate goal of our proposed summer internship program is to train a diverse group of students who will be the next generation of future regenerative medicine and stem cell scientists which is critically needed.
Statement of Benefit to California:
There is not only a great need to increase the pipeline of students entering the biomedical research field but also a compelling need to promote ethnic and socioeconomic diversity in the biomedical and life science workforce. Providing California high school students an opportunity to participate in this new field of stem cell research will allow them to explore biomedical research as a possible career and to create a pipeline of future Californians to serve as regenerative medicine and stem cell biologists. Even before the Gold Rush, the State of California was considered a place to seek adventure and to make important discoveries. The regenerative medicine and stem cell field requires visionary leaders and organizations such as CIRM to fund them and to promote new ideas and discoveries. There is no better way to promote science, math and engineering education in California than by giving California students the opportunity to participate in hands-on research at the University level. These young trainees will benefit other Californians by making important discoveries that will improve the health of other Californians – and for that matter the whole world.
