Author name: LA Biotech Center

By Marie Rippon, CEO LabLaunch. This summer was a resounding success for Pathways to Stem Cell Science. Serving 76 students total, the high school and college programs were full of inquisitive, intelligent pupils. This year was the first in which all courses were held in the Johanna B. Gunter Stem Cell Training Laboratory, a purpose-built biotechnology facility within the Lab Launch incubator in Monrovia, California. In this industry-grade space, students worked alongside professional scientists, learning not only techniques, but also what it means to work in a laboratory environment. This year, Pathways’ Early Investigator High School (EiHS) programs attracted a 50% increase in student attendance since last year. From all over California and even as far away as Illinois, students chose Pathways over other summer programs, yielding an astounding 90% matriculation rate. High school students participated in one of three courses: EiHS Research Internship, Stem Cell Academy, or Regenerative Medicine and Disease Modeling. Three outstanding high schoolers won scholarships for the Stem Cell Academy, generously provided by Biological Industries. Each course includes lecture-discussions, hands-on instruction and guest speakers. Students learned industry-standard techniques, essential concepts in stem cell biology, and practical, real-world skills. This summer’s college courses included 45 students in the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Bridges program, coming from local California State University campuses as well as Pasadena City College. The CIRM Bridges course is designed to prepare students for research placements. Therefore, they learned not only the latest techniques, but also how to work independently in a laboratory setting. Even after the course ended, Pathways continued to provide scientific consultation and support during the students’ research placements. After completing Pathways courses, students have gone on to achieve success in the sciences. Carla Gonzalez – a CIRM Bridges student in Summer 2016, continues to find value in what she learned: “Now, I am a student at Keck Graduate School pursuing a masters degree in Bioprocessing Engineering, and I continue to use the knowledge gained from Dr. Fox to conduct research in the expansion of stem cells. The mentorship Dr. Fox fosters has catalyzed my current academic path, and I will continue to use her knowledge and experience to help me further my career,” states Gonzalez. Some of the most ambitious Pathways students have expressed interest in attending more courses next summer. Luckily, Pathways is already planning to expand its college course offerings and add an afterschool program in stem cell engineering for high school students. For those who express an early interest in science, Pathways is also developing programs for pre-school/kindergarten and Elementary programs that will introduce children to the study of biology. Preschool curriculum is also underway – all of these new programs are expected to open in 2018. Stay tuned for information on new programs and stories of our students’ achievements in their scientific pursuits. 2017 was a great year, and we expect even more from 2018!

By Victoria Fox, Executive Director, Pathways to Stem Cell Science. Pathways to Stem Cell Science has received a one-year $5,000 “Wayne Hawley Giving Grant” from insurance specialists Hawley and Associates LLC. The award, supported in part by institutional matching funds from Pathways to Stem Cell Science, will be used to create 12 scholarships for underserved, low income, and ethnic minority students to attend the 2018 Early Investigator High School (EiHS) Stem Cell Academy Program. Named in honor of Hawley and Associates LLC co-founder, the Wayne Hawley Giving Grant aims to “help support programs, projects and organizations whose focus is to benefits children, families and their communities”. Of the 35 non-profit organizations that applied for the grant, Pathways to Stem Cell Science was one of only two institutions to receive an award in 2017. In keeping with Wayne Hawley’s mission, the funds will provide transformative education and career guidance to students from underserved and underrepresented communities. To promote diversity and equality, the “Wayne Hawley EiHS Stem Cell Academy Scholarships” will be open to eligible students throughout the US. About the EiHS Stem Cell Academy Program EiHS Stem Cell Academy is an introductory five-day summer course that explores the exciting science of stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Participating students study the three-major human stem cell systems – adult, cancer and pluripotent, during hands-on laboratory classes and engaging lecture-discussions covering the science, history and ethics of stem cell research. The EiHS Stem Cell Academy Program provides rigorous training in modern skills required for variety of bioscience professions using cancer, neural and induced pluripotent stem cells as an exciting learning platform. Each day focuses on a different aspect of stem cell biology, taking students on a stimulating journey from basic discovery to therapeutic translation. Course participants are also introduced to independent research skills and attend a career development seminar led by industry and academic scientists. Designed for entry-level students, this unique program enables aspiring scientists to gain experience for their college resumes while also building social and professional work skills. Update 3,22,2019: The EiHS Stem Cell Academy Program has been renamed “Intro to Stem Cell Systems” under our newly expanded high school training program.

By Biological Industries. Read the original article here. CROMWELL, Conn. & MONROVIA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Biological Industries USA (BI-USA) is proud to announce an exciting partnership designed to support real-world laboratory skills training in regenerative medicine for early career scientists (high school to college level and beyond). As part of their commitment to help support and train the future generation of scientists in the field of stem cell biology, BI-USA has partnered with the non-profit institute Pathways to Stem Cell Science to help aspiring scientists gain hands-on experience culturing human pluripotent stem cells in state-of-the-art facilities in Southern California. As a part of this agreement, BI-USA will provide stem cell product and technology support through program scholarships for the Pathways to Stem Cell Science training programs. Featuring both classroom and laboratory-based courses, students participating in the Pathways to Stem Cell Science programs are equipped with unique skills to help them gain a competitive edge in pursuing future educational and professional goals. “Despite the growth and availability of bioscience jobs, many college graduates still find it difficult to transition from university degree programs into the right bioscience career,” said Victoria Fox, Ph.D., President and Founder of Pathways to Stem Cell Science. “This situation exists in part because graduating students lack the real-world experience needed to navigate the biosciences jobs and gain work-specific or specialized laboratory skills, which are required for many bioscience professions. We launched Pathways to Stem Cell Science to provide more opportunities for early career scientists to gain this valuable hands-on training and laboratory experience.” “Every great scientist started as a student,” said Tanya Potcova, CEO of BI-USA. “We are proud to play a role in supporting science education for young students. By sharing our knowledge and experience in the field of stem cell research, we hope to help empower the next generation of scientists.” To kick off this new partnership, BI-USA will host a webinar presented by Dr. Victoria Fox on Wednesday, May 17 at 2:00 PM ET. Dr. Fox will discuss the benefits of STEM exposure to early career scientists and present an overview of the Pathways to Stem Cell Science training programs. To learn more and register for this free webinar, please visit bioind.com/support/webinars About Biological Industries (BI) Biological Industries (www.bioind.com) is one of the world’s leading and trusted suppliers to the life sciences industry, with over 35 years’ experience in cell culture media development and GMP manufacturing. BI’s products range from classical cell culture media to supplements and reagents for stem cell research and potential cell therapy applications, to serum-free media and many other products for animal cell culture and molecular biology. BI is committed to a Culture of Excellence through advanced manufacturing and quality-control systems, regulatory expertise, in-depth market knowledge, and extensive technical customer-support, training, and R&D capabilities. Biological Industries USA (BI-USA) is the US commercialization arm of BI, with facilities in Cromwell, Connecticut. Members of the BI-USA team share a history and expertise of innovation and success in the development of leading-edge technologies in stem cell research, cellular reprogramming, and regenerative medicine. To receive ongoing BI communications, please join our email list or connect with the company on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. About Pathways to Stem Cell Science Pathways to Stem Cell Science is a non-profit institute and unique provider of real-world training in molecular cell biology, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine. We work collaboratively with both academic and industry partners to offer innovative programs for students of all ages to learn hands-on science with human stem cells. Our laboratory-based courses feature novel classes, designed and taught by publishing scientists who are also exceptional teachers. Equipped with unique skills, our graduates gain a competitive edge, attend top-tier universities, pursue professional science careers and make measurable contributions to the field of stem cell research. For more information on the training programs provided by Pathways to Stem Cell Science, please visit stemcellpath.com Contacts For BI-USA: Tanya Potcova, (617) 359-2424 BI-USA Tanya@bioindusa.com or Media: Gotham Communications, LLC Bill Douglass, (646) 504-0890 bill@gothamcomm.com or For Pathways: Pathways to Stem Cell Science Victoria Fox, Ph.D., (310) 483-3651 info@stemcellpath.com

By Marie Rippon, CEO LabLaunch. This summer, while other students advanced to level 47 in their favorite video games, 59 college and high school students were taking part in stem cell research programs with Pathways to Stem Cell Science. Founded and run by Dr. Victoria Fox, Pathways is the only organization that teaches students to work with stem cells hands-on outside of university courses and laboratories. This allows a myriad of students to study cutting-edge science and gain valuable skills that they might otherwise not have the opportunity to learn. This was Pathways’ first summer of programs, and already there is a demand for more. The success of Pathways’ programs owes much to Fox’s 15 years of experience working with human stem cells. She began developing her stem cell based training programs, the CIRM Bridges Training Program and the Early Investigator High School (EiHS) Program, as Director of USC’s Stem Cell Core. These programs were recently spun out of USC to form the new non-profit institute Pathways to Stem Cell Science. This year was Pathways first summer running as an independent organization and already Fox has plans to expand her courses to all grades including pre-school. Fox created Pathways to Stem Cell Science to address the growing need and demand for aspiring scientist to gain real-world hands-on training that cannot be provided within the confines of a school or university setting. “Pathways to Stem Cell Science is founded on the belief that science is an applied subject which should be taught hands-on in a professional laboratory setting. So many educational programs focus only on the theory of science without providing good quality laboratory based training in essential bioscience skills. At Pathways to Stem Cell Science we are trying to address this issue by brining students into a professional lab setting and providing them with real-world training for future college and career applications” says Fox. Forty-two students from five California State University campuses and one community college took part in this summer’s CIRM Bridges Program at the Johanna B. Gunter Stem Cell Training Laboratory at LabLaunch-Monrovia. Students learned techniques that are being used in the world’s top stem cell laboratories—skills which will help them be competitive in life science careers and graduate programs. Ten high school students participated in the EiHS Program’s Regenerative Medicine and Disease Modeling Program held at the Caltech mouse transgenic core facility and seven students participated in the EiHS Research Internship Program. A CIRM SPARK grant, operated in collaboration with Dr. Henry Lester at Caltech, funded four scholarship recipients from Lifeline Education Charter School in Compton and Animo Leadership Charter High School in Inglewood. In addition, to learning molecular biology and cell culture skills, students derived beating heart cells from stem cells, an experience that left a lasting impact. “Pathways to Stem Cell Science was an eye-opening experience in which students like me had the opportunity to take part in cutting-edge science. Pathways is quite literally a pathway and entrance into an exciting field of stem cell exploration – their characteristics, capabilities, and implications all create foundations for new fields of study. Not only was it an incredible scientific opportunity, but it was also a great chance to collaborate with others. Students were able to connect through our passion for science, and we all left as blossoming and capable scientists. I thank Dr. Fox and the Pathways program for immersing me in science in a way a classroom never could.” Hannah Towbin, 2016 EiHS Fellow To finish the summer, EiHS research students designed and presented scientific posters at Caltech, to an audience of professional scientists, family, and peers. The four EiHS scholarship recipients also took part in the statewide CIRM SPARK conference in Oakland, one winning the prize for the best blog. After a successful summer, Pathways is getting ready for the school year with programs that will continue to inspire the next generation of scientists.

By Cristy Lytal, Public Communications Manager, USC Stem Cell. Read the original article here. Twenty-three local high school students spent their summer vacations in a very unusual place: the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC. The students celebrated their graduations this month from the USC Early Investigator High School (EiHS) and the USC CIRM Science, Technology and Research (STAR) programs. These are the only programs that offer comprehensive training in stem cell research to high school students. The goal of these unique programs is to educate bright young minds at the stage where they’re still formulating ideas and still open and receptive to new discoveries. Andrew McMahon “The goal of these unique programs is to educate bright young minds at the stage where they’re still formulating ideas and still open and receptive to new discoveries, and introduce them to the wonder and inspirational power of stem cell biology,” said Andrew McMahon, director of USC’s stem cell research center and the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and head of the university-wide USC Stem Cell initiative uniting more than 100 researchers from all disciplines. Stem cells, ethics and public policy Over the course of the summer, the high school students participated in either a 10-day training course or eight-week research internship, working with human stem cells in USC’s world-class laboratories. 

Under the mentorship of USC faculty and graduate students, the students learned about the latest advances in regenerative medicine and explored stem cells, ethics and public policy. Roberta Diaz Brinton, director of the CIRM STAR program, paid tribute to the accomplishments of the students. “We’re very impressed by the caliber of science and more impressed by the caliber of young minds. These young scientists are generating the new knowledge from which stem cell biology and stem cell therapies will progress in the future,” said Brinton, professor at the USC School of Pharmacy, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and an executive committee member of USC Stem Cell. True teamwork Victoria Fox, director of the EiHS program, extended her thanks to everyone who contributed to the experience. “The EiHS program was made possible by a team of very incredible people that starts with my laboratory staff and includes donors, the students, the administrators of the stem cell research center and the mentors who take the students in their laboratories,” she said. “I’m very grateful to all of these people.” This year’s participants were selected from Harvard-Westlake School, Lifeline Education Charter School, Chadwick School and Bravo Medical Magnet High School, and many received scholarships. “The program has motivated our students to be college-ready by giving them the opportunity to work in a university setting,” said Obed Nartey, principal of Lifeline Education Charter School. “Many of these students are the first generation to graduate from high school. For these students, college was seen as being out of reach until they met and worked with Dr. Fox and her team.” On graduation day, the students shared their transformative summer experiences with their mentors, friends, parents and teachers by presenting scientific posters and by contributing articles to the program’s new EiHS Journal, which will publish its first issue in October. “Being able to contribute to a scientific project that can play an important role in someone’s life is an amazing opportunity, and I would not trade it for the world,” said Marialuisa Flores, a student from Lifeline Education Charter School. “It was a very enjoyable learning experience, which has made a great impact on my life and future career.” “Being able to contribute to a scientific project that can play an important role in someone’s life is an amazing opportunity, and I would not trade it for the world,” said Marialuisa Flores, a student from Lifeline Education Charter School. “It was a very enjoyable learning experience, which has made a great impact on my life and future career.”

By Cristy Lytal, Public Communications Manager, USC Stem Cell. Read the original story here. More than 20 local students are enjoying a summer of hands-on experience in stem research laboratories through the USC Early Investigator High School (EiHS) and the USC CIRM Science, Technology and Research (STAR) programs. Darren Harris, a student at Lifeline Education Charter School, explained what the opportunity means to him at the USC Stem Cell Public Policy Education Forum, held in the Aresty Auditorium on July 12. “I had no clue that with one cell, you can get so much out of it. So it’s actually opened my mind to see what else I can get out of life,” he said. Throughout the forum, high school students shared what they’ve learned, working alongside USC researchers exploring potential treatments for everything from Alzheimer’s disease to radiation wounds. Through the EiHS and CIRM STAR programs, students also attend weekly presentations about ethical and political issues relating to stem cell science and regenerative medicine. “No matter what your textbook says, cells are not color-coded, so that’s a little disappointing,” said Lynn Wang, a student at Mira Costa High School. “The second thing I really learned is that science does ultimately impact the people outside the lab.” The students aren’t the only ones to benefit from the EiHS and CIRM STAR programs. “I can’t overemphasize the importance of these programs at USC to the scientific community and to our country at large,” said Carmen A. Puliafito, dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “We need more health professionals, and we need more biomedical scientists that come from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.” Scientists are also needed to think way outside the box, according to Jonathan Thomas, chair of the governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Thomas spoke of the creative researchers behind “bizarre concepts,” such as the first isolation of human embryonic stem cells and the creation of induced pluripotent stem cells by “rewinding” mature cells into their embryonic state. “Science is a weird thing,” he said. “Science is always looking for new ideas. It’s those new ideas from young people that are going to drive the future of medical research. Other distinguished speakers included retired State Sen. Art Torres, vice chair of the governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine; Jeffrey Gunter, chair of the Ambassadors for Stem Cell Research at USC; and Eryn Brown, science writer for the Los Angeles Times. Funding for the forum and the EiHS and CIRM STAR programs came from USC Stem Cell and the Regenerative Medicine Initiative; the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC; the STAR program at the USC School of Pharmacy; the Ambassadors for Stem Cell Research at USC; CIRM; and USC Neighborhood Outreach. “I can tell you from personal experience,” Puliafito said, “that having young people, high school students work in a laboratory in a scientific environment over a summer can transform their lives, their aspirations and ultimately their achievements.”

By Stephanie O’Neil, reporter KPCC news. Read the original article here. For many Southern California high school students, summer is synonymous with surf, sand and sun. But, for some of Los Angeles’ top math and science students, the lure of the beach and traditional summer fun fizzles fast when compared to microscopes, slide kits and real-life stem cell research. Armed with little more than protective gear and enthusiasm, 20 overachieving teenagers have been clocking 40-hour weeks in the lab at USC’s Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research. Among them is 17-year-old Brian Tom of Lincoln Heights. “It’s fascinating because stem cells have all this potential to heal these degenerative diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s,” says Tom, a senior at Bravo Medical Magnet in Los Angeles. “It’s amazing how you can create multiple tissues from one cell.” Stem cells offer promise as a treatment or cure for many diseases because they can be can induced to morph into other cell types — such as brain, muscle or skin cells. Stem cells can also divide without limit, which gives them the potential to repair and replace damaged tissue. “You can just imagine the possibilities,” says Sophie McAllister, a 17-year-old senior at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. McAllister works with a USC mentor on cardiac cell regeneration. Two programs, one goal McAllister and nine other students are in a program that’s privately funded by two donors with ties to USC. Meanwhile, Tom and his summer school classmates are studying under a statewide program funded by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), a voter-created agency that funds stem cell research throughout California. CIRM has invested $1.7 million in nine high school summer programs statewide for three years. The two programs share the goal of nurturing stem cell interest among California’s top math and science students from all across the socioeconomic scale. “We’re all very excited for the potential for stem cell and regenerative medicine and what it can do for human health,” says Kathryn Rich, director of training and education programs at USC’s Broad Center. “Training the next generation is the key part of that.” Each Friday, she says, the students from both programs attend forums or lectures, which typically focus on data analysis, scientific writing and the ethical issues involved in harvesting stem cells from discarded embryos to create new cell lines. But, most of the time, they’re upstairs working in the 5th-floor lab with mentors who are doing actual stem cell research. Hands-on heart research On a recent afternoon, McAllister demonstrated how she makes microscope slides containing minuscule heart cells for the researchers in her program. “I dehydrated the heart,” she says, “Then we set it in a cube of wax and into that machine.” McAllister points to a sturdy white block of a device she says is called a microtome. That, she adds, is the machine “that slices it really thin so you can put it on slides.” Next to the machine sits a large computer monitor that displays the mouse cells, each stained in bright colors. “This is actually the whole mouse that was sectioned, but this part’s the heart,” she says, pointing to a bright blobby mass indecipherable to the uninitiated eye. In an adjoining lab, Tom spends his days helping researchers clone new cells so they can study certain perplexing stem cell behaviors. “One of the problems in stem cell research is that even though we can create a lot of types of tissues — brain cells, cardiac cells, muscle cells — they don’t behave in the exact same way that we expect them to,” Tom says. “Sometimes they die spontaneously and we don’t know why. Sometimes they migrate to weird positions and become cancerous.” Solving these mysteries is a thrilling prospect to the students in USC’s stem cell program, even if that sometimes means sacrificing friend-time. “They’ve sort of put aside some of their other interests, [the desire] that other kids might have for a social life,” Rich says, “because they love science and it becomes a lifestyle, almost.“ A lifestyle that Sophie McAllister and Brian Tom say is well worth the time they’re investing. “This is one of the great spots for looking into regenerative medicine and stem cells in general,” McAllister says. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more to do with my summer.” The students complete their summer session with a colloquium open to the public on Aug. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the first floor seminar room at USC’s Broad Center.

Story by Isabell Mason, USC Daily Trojan. Read the original article here. The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC will hold two new programs this summer that offer high school students the opportunity to experience hands-on lab research in the biomedical sciences and to encourage them to pursue science after high school. Summer · The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Center at USC will offer two summer programs for high school students interested in stem cell research and practical lab experience. – Photo courtesy of Keck Medicine of USC Early Investigator High School Summer Program in Stem Cell Research gives scientifically minded high school students from Harvard-Westlake School, the Marlborough School and the Lifeline Education Charter School the ability to experience eight weeks in a research laboratory. The USC Science, Technology and Research High School Summer Research and Creativity program, which has a 23-year standing partnership with the Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, will broaden into stem cell research with its $264,000 grant from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. These programs offer high school students eight weeks in the lab and a weeklong workshop at the beginning of the summer, during which students learn techniques for stem cell research. Participants also attend progress meetings and seminars, and are assigned regular lab duties. “Expansion of the USC STAR summer research program is an exciting new chapter in our science education endeavors and partnership with Bravo High School,” said Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton, director of the USC STAR program. USC STAR will offer 10 high school students the opportunity to intern with a research team either at the Stem Cell Center or one of its 50 associate laboratories. All CIRM STAR interns will give a final research presentation and will aid in planning the Stem Cells, Creativity and the Public forum. In the EiHS program, students will be placed with a mentor who will guide them through the research process. The program has accepted three students from Harvard-Westlake but is not sure how many applicants it will accept from Marlborough and Lifeline Education Charter School. Students are nominated by teachers and are required to fill out an application and attend an interview. Dr. Victoria Fox, EiHS program director, said she started this program because of high school students’ interest in science. “This is a research-run facility involved in training individuals from undergrads to professors,” Fox said. “Every year I got bombarded by high school students who wanted to come to my lab and gain experience.” Fox said he hopes EiHS will give participants the opportunity to gain practical experience in a lab. “The program will bring kids from all different backgrounds together through science and take kids from any school that are gifted and give them opportunity to work in a lab at a higher education level,” Fox said. Brinton said this program is important for the USC STAR program and for the students who will gain from this new opportunity in science. “The Broad Institute of Regenerative Medicine faculty mentorship of STAR students joins in the remarkable Trojan Family spirit of USC scientists who give so generously of their gifts and talents and who pay it forward,” Brinton said.

By Leslie Ridgeway, Director Communications and Media Relations, Daily Trojan. Read the original article here. Two summer programs for high school students at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC will focus on developing well-rounded researchers for the future. Photo/Steve Cohn Two new summer education programs at the Keck School of Medicine of USC aim to give high school students with aspirations for careers in biomedical research a special opportunity to gain experience in the field. The USC CIRM Science, Technology and Research (STAR) High School Summer Research and Creativity program will enable 10 interns to spend eight weeks working with USC scientists, gaining experience in stem cell research, communication strategies and public policy development. In addition, the USC Early Investigator High School (EiHS) Summer program in stem cell research will place students from the Harvard-Westlake School and the Marlborough School in an eight-week program working with faculty-scientist mentors who will supervise the students learning about lab procedures, ethics and compliance. Both schools are in the Los Angeles area. “These new summer programs will encourage students to enter the promising field of stem cell research and give them opportunities for establishing lasting friendships with other students and their faculty mentors,” said Keck School dean Carmen A. Puliafito. The programs are among the many that USC offers to high school students interested in careers in science and medicine. Both will begin in June. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to give these nascent scientists a head start in their careers and perhaps the spark to make them want to choose stem cell research for their life’s work,” said Andrew McMahon, director of the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC. “Researchers need an appreciation of the world around them, and this program will provide that important stimulation.” The USC STAR Summer Research program was funded by a $264,000 Creativity Award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). USC is one of nine California institutions to receive a CIRM Creativity Award this year. The grant is administered under the USC STAR program, a collaborative science program that has existed for 23 years between USC and nearby Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School. “Expansion of the USC STAR summer research program to the Eli and Edythe Broad Center is an exciting new chapter in our science education endeavors and partnership with Bravo High School,” said Roberta Diaz Brinton, director of the program. “Stem cell biology is one of the most exciting areas of discovery and translational research, and the researchers within the Broad Center are among the very best in the field. We are honored to have been chosen by CIRM to advance their mission and ours to create the next generation of discoverers and innovators in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.” The STAR Summer Research program will begin with a weeklong stem cell biology techniques workshop. The interns then will join a research team within the Broad Center or an associate member laboratory, and participate in meetings and a social event to create a CIRM student network, culminating with a final research presentation by all CIRM high school student interns. Students also will help plan a forum titled “Stem Cells, Creativity and the Public,” intended to integrate stem cell biology research with expression in the humanities, public communication and public policy decision-making. The EiHS program offers similar experiences for budding stem cell scientists. EiHS was developed by Victoria Fox, director of the stem cell core at the Broad Center with support from Jeff Gunter, a Los Angeles-area physician and chair of the center’s advisory board. “There is a lot of interest from high school students in Los Angeles for internships in stem cell labs,” said Fox, who directs the EiHS program. “I am enthusiastic about education and have worked with several students, but the demand became so high that we decided to start a formal program.” Students in the EiHS program will spend the first week learning basic lab and stem cell training, seguing into forums and seminars on topics, such as conducting responsible ethical research and how to develop a professional science career. The students will conduct a mentor-supervised research project, attend seminars, author an online journal and generate a poster for an adjudicated poster session at USC. Applications are being accepted at the Harvard-Westlake School, and the program is expected to get under way in June. Applications for the EiHS program will be selected based on grades and interest in science, as well as letters of recommendation from science teachers. Students also will be interviewed by a panel of scientists at the Keck School. “We are honored to be a part of the EiHS program,” said Jeanne Huybrechts, head of Harvard-Westlake School. “We appreciate the opportunity to help craft this program. We plan to encourage our own most promising young investigators to participate in the program and become an integral part of the stem cell disease teams at the Keck School.” Gunter is working with other schools in hopes of expanding the EiHS program in the future, allowing students across the region to participate. “The EiHS program will elevate and transform our high school teenagers into promising young investigators who will lead us and our medical community in finding cures for generations to come,” Gunter said. “If our children can begin their violin studies at age 3 and formalize sports training at an age of 4, without a doubt these exceptional high school students, regardless of socioeconomic backgrounds, are ready and can succeed at our program.”

By Julia Aizuss, Harvard Westlake Chronicle. Read the original article here. Three students will have the chance to participate in an eight-week internship program researching stem cells at University of Southern California this summer. Current juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for one of three spots in the USC Early Investigator High School Summer Program in Stem Cell Research. The Upper School Science Department will choose a short list of candidates to send to the EiHS Summer Program for final selection to the spots reserved by a Harvard-Westlake parent reserved, science teacher David Hinden said. Selected students will conduct and present original research on embryonic stem cells in laboratories at The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research.