CSUN-UCLA Bridges to Stem Cell Research

Ten Bridges trainees will study and perform the latest advances in stem cell biology in UCLA laboratories. Bridges internships will be 1 year in duration for graduate students (6 slots) and 9 months for undergraduate students (4 slots) and will take place in screened and selected internship-host labs. The vast majority of intern time will be spent on laboratory research. Interns will spend one week at the USC Stem Cell Techniques course before beginning their internships in UCLA labs. Working with faculty, researchers, and staff technicians, Bridges interns will perform independent research. This hands-on experience will be supplemented by participation in a biweekly Stem Cell Journal Club, a weekly stem cell seminar series, and a yearly International Stem Cell Symposium. Interns are and will continue to present at 6 local (CA) symposia during their appointment. Host-institution faculty will continue to play an active role in the intern's education by functioning as advisor, teacher, and collaborator during the internship program. A key component is trainee mentoring that is designed to not only provide a supportive environment for learning and discovery, but to monitor and evaluate a trainee's progress through the program at both the home and internship-host institution. Grad students will continue to culminate with a Master’s Thesis and Undergrads with an Honor’s senior thesis.