The USC COMPASS program has enrolled a full cohort of students for the 2023-2024 academic year who are engaged in independent research projects and supported by close mentoring and continuous professional development. Our cohort was recruited by casting a wide net to the USC undergraduate community; we capitalized on strategic partnerships with student affinity centers to ensure students from historically underrepresented backgrounds were aware of our program and encouraged to apply. In our first year, 10 COMPASS scholars were selected from a highly competitive applicant pool of 30 students. Team building exercises began in April 2023 with our program orientation. After spring semester classes concluded, USC COMPASS scholars received vigorous research training in our summer bootcamp to prepare them for a six-week intensive summer research internship. Research and mentoring workshops were designed using the Entering Research curriculum. Professional and Life skills seminars were presented by the Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity and the USC Credit Union. COMPASS scholars applied skills acquired in bootcamp when choosing a laboratory for their research internship. Upon the completion of bootcamp, COMPASS Scholars were engaged in a 40hr/week, 6-week research internship for the remainder of the summer. USC COMPASS Scholars have continued their research internship through the fall academic semester and engaged in bi-weekly program meetings that focus on additional skill building or “fireside chats” with professionals in the regenerative medicine industry. They have enrolled in classes designed to increase their knowledge about stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. In the upcoming program year, scholars will initiate a community outreach course on Stem Cell Biology with the Prison Education Project, visit a local elementary school to engage students during STEM Week, and partner with the USC + CHLA Alpha Stem Cell Clinic to work with patient advocates to engage the community about participate in clinical trials. In year 2, USC COMPASS Scholars can choose to continue their established research project or switch to a structured internship in a cGMP facility. We anticipate USC COMPASS Scholars will participate in CIRM-sponsored research symposia. We will encourage scholars to present their work at conferences such as ISSCR, SACNAS, and ABRCMS to increase their exposure to careers in regenerative medicine. We have initiated our second round of recruiting and are pleased to report a 40% increase in the number of applications received and are looking forward to onboarding our second cohort of students in the summer.
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
USC COMPASS: Guiding Undergraduates to Careers in Regenerative Medicine
Statement of Benefit to California:
Having diverse perspectives, providing equitable access, and building inclusive cultures are critical components to preparing a workforce prepared to tackle the clinical challenges of tomorrow. USC is committed to serving as a leader in both regenerative medicine and in diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is in the spirit of this leadership that USC will launch USC COMPASS: Guiding Undergraduates to Careers in Regenerative Medicine. USC COMPASS will be a multidisciplinary training program that engages students with culturally-aware mentoring and leverages the breadth of academic and research opportunities at USC to prepare students for careers in regenerative medicine. At the end of the 5-year grant period, we expect that USC COMPASS Scholars will be integrated in multiple arenas of regenerative medicine and will bring diverse perspectives, expand equitable access, and create inclusive cultures that are critical components of a workforce prepared to tackle the clinical challenges of tomorrow.
