CSUN-UCLA Stem Cell Scientist Training Program

The CSUN-UCLA Stem Cell Scientist Training Program will train 10 culturally diverse CSUN undergraduate students in translational stem cell research internships, increasing their technical skills, knowledge, and experience in developing stem cellbased therapies. Interns will spend 2 months at CSUN completing pre-internship training and 10 months in a UCLA internshiphost laboratory. A week-long, hands-on human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) techniques course in the USC Stem Cell Core Facilitydesigned to introduce the key techniques and principles in hPSC research is required at the start of the internship. The UCLA host-institution educational program consists of 1) a laboratory-centered training experience; 2) participation in the biweekly Broad Stem Cell Club meeting; 3) attendance at the weekly seminar series on stem cell biology; 4) attendance at the UCLA Center for Society and Genetics lectures on social and ethical aspects of stem cell research; 5) data presentation at the annual UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center (BSCRC) international stem cell symposium and at the CSUN student research and Sigma Xi research symposia, 6) educational outreach activities at schools and in the community; 7) participation in patient healthcare and advocacy for developing new therapies and drugs; and 8) participation in intern advisement and career development activities. More than 20 UCLA laboratories are committed to our Bridges program and its high quality success.