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By Victoria Fox, Executive Director, Pathways to Stem Cell Science and Samantha McIssac. We are excited to announce Pathways to Stem Cell Science (Pathways) has opened its first independent headquarters in Torrance, California. Graduating from the Monrovia-based incubator “Lab Launch” into a purpose-built facility represents a major milestone in our mission to advance stem cell research and create future scientists. The newly renovated 4,000 square-foot facility, located close to the 110 and 405 freeways, boasts a fully equipped biotech research incubator and three state-of-the-art teaching laboratories which convert into an auditorium and meeting space. In addition to enabling the growth of Pathways research and education programs, the facility will act as a hub for connecting students and scientists from across the LA area. Pathways new 1,400 square-foot teaching facilities, which juxtapose aspiring scientists with real life research provide space for 20 students to learn hands-on with stem cells, working alongside industry professionals. This unique layout reflects our firmly held belief that observing working scientists in a real-life environment is essential for students to forge successful science careers. Expanding from one to three teaching laboratories will significantly enhance our educational impact by enabling multiple programs to be offered concurrently and throughout the year to larger numbers of students. With dedicated teaching labs for cell culture and molecular biology, we can now launch our much-anticipated middle school and practical tutoring programs, providing learning opportunities for students at every educational stage from preschool to college. The new Torrance headquarters also houses laboratory space for Pathways growing research services, known as CellCORE, which provide technical support to university and industry scientists from across the world. Located adjacent to the teaching facilities, the research laboratories include a 1,600 square-foot shared biotech incubator where clients and partner companies can work under the guidance of Pathways scientists. This space accommodates up to 10 scientists and will be used to advance a broad portfolio of research aimed at understanding disease mechanisms and developing stem cell therapies. It will also support Pathways internal R&D program which focuses on the development of new technologies for deriving and manipulating stem cells. As professionals pursue their cutting-edge research, students will enjoy the unique opportunity to learn this exciting science first-hand in an environment of entrepreneurial innovation. Pathways is the only private sector organization that offers programs for children of all ages to engage in authentic science, taught by industry scientists in a professional biotech laboratory. Our new facilities reflect this uniqueness by creating a combined teaching and research space that does not exist anywhere else in the world outside of a University. This engaging environment will ensure more students gain the tools and knowledge needed to pursue bioscience careers. In our new location we can expose students to the industry jobs they will pursue after college and expand our network of biotech partners to create additional internship opportunities for students attending our research programs. In addition to supporting teaching and research, Pathways new headquarters will provide a home base for our mobile lab programs, which bring hands-on education to classrooms across the LA area. Growing our outreach activities to include classes for the public is a major goal that can now be achieved with our fully equipped classrooms and auditorium. Having a dedicated facility is also crucial for expanding Pathways fundraising activities, which ensure our programs are offered equally to students of all backgrounds. We’re excited to start the next phase of operational growth in our new Torrance-based headquarters and will be holding a formal open day in March 2020.  Save the date! Follow our lab renovation in real time on our social media pages. BAM architecture studios were the architects for this project. Lab renovations were performed by Midstone construction.

By Victoria Fox, Executive Director, Pathways to Stem Cell Science. We are pleased to announce Pathways to Stem Cell Science has been selected to host the 4th annual CIRM Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative Medicine Knowledge (SPARK) Meeting at Caltech.  Funded by a $49,915 grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), this event assembles participants of the CIRM SPARK program for a 2-day science and networking symposium. CIRM SPARK is a CIRM funded summer internship program that enables high school students to gain stem cell research experience working in academic laboratories across California. The program aims to engage high school students in the field of stem cell research while initiating their journey towards bioscience careers.  Seven institutions currently hold an active CIRM SPARK award, including Caltech, City of Hope, Cedars Sinai, UC Davis, UCSF, Stanford University and Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI). The profound impact of the SPARK program is evident through the student’s social media communications. Their photos of life in the lab appear on Instagram under the hashtag #cirmsparklab. And in blog posts, students share their surprise that bioscience labs are not cold and stern, but exciting and warm places. Anna Guzman, then a high school Junior in 2018, wrote: “I imagined the chilling concentration of dozens of geniuses bent over their work, of tissue culture rooms where every tiny movement was a potential disaster…. I soon found that the lab was a place of laughter and jokes across bays, a place of smiles in the hallways and mentors who tirelessly explained theory after theory until the intoxicating satisfaction of a lightbulb sparked on inside my head….  I was wrong when I assumed that this was a place where I would never belong. Instead, as I stood in front of this community of amazingly brilliant and kind people, my mouth forming words that I couldn’t have dreamed of understanding a month ago, I realized that this was precisely where I belonged. This was the place for me.” Pathways to Stem Cell Science is also a key participant in the program’s success, acting as the co-director of the Caltech program and organizer of the 2019 CIRM SPARK meeting. The CIRM SPARK program is an integral part of our mission to foster equal educational and career opportunities for students across diverse and underserved backgrounds. It provides hands-on skills and career focused knowledge to low-income and underserved students. The CIRM SPARK program is culminated each year by the CIRM SPARK meeting, a 2-day event that enables students, scientists and program organizers to come together with policy makers, funding bodies, and influential figures in the scientific community. Sparking conversation between students and those established in the stem cell research community provides a critical platform for early career scientists to build confidence and professional networking skills. Organized by Pathways Program Director, Dr. Mickey Pentecost, the 2019 CIRM SPARK meeting will take place August 11th and 12th, 2019 at the William. G. Kerckhoff Laboratories at Caltech where over 200 students, scientists, companies, CIRM officials and influential figures in the life science field are expected to attend.  The meeting will kick off with a networking dinner on the first day, followed on the second day by poster presentations, corporate displays and a symposium featuring key note speakers from industry, academia and patient advocacy groups.  Renowned speakers will include Dr. Dennis Clegg of Regenerative Patch Technologies, Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz of Caltech, Adrienne Shapiro of Axis Advocacy and more. Pathways is excited to play an ongoing role in this life changing program and honored to have secured a competitive bid to host the 2019 CIRM SPARK meeting. To learn more, visit the event website.

By Victoria Fox, Executive Director, Pathways to Stem Cell Science.  Pathways to Stem Cell Science was recently profiled in the education section of the Arcadia Weekly news. View the original article by education writer May. S. Ruiz, here.  

By Samantha McIsaac, Science writer Pathways to Stem Cell Science. Pathways to Stem Cell Science is excited to introduce our new Program Director, Dr. Mickey Pentecost. A cell biologist, engineer, and self-described “creative entrepreneur”, Dr. Pentecost joins our mission in advancing stem cell science and regenerative medicine while inspiring and preparing students for future bioscience careers. Dr. Pentecost received his Bachelor of Science in engineering from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City. He then went on to earn a PhD from Stanford University School of Medicine while pioneering new research methodologies that enabled him to make significant discoveries in the mechanisms of microbial infections. Dr. Mickey Pentecost completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at UCLA where he continued his success in cell biology, discovering important interactions between viruses and cell proteins. With expertise in molecular biology, genetic engineering, biochemistry, proteomics, cell biology, microscopy, bacteriology, virology, bioprocessing, biomanufacturing and data science, Dr. Pentecost will certainly be an asset to the team in multiple facets. His roles include helping with philanthropic fundraising and grant writing – to this end he has already secured a nearly $50,000 grant for our upcoming CIRM SPARK conference. Operating in collaboration with Caltech, the CIRM SPARK conference showcases the scientific accomplishments and presentations of high school students researching stem cells. Supervising and mentoring student researchers in the past as a Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Pentecost will now further our goal of preparing students for modern bioscience careers through teaching a new hands-on molecular stem cell biology course for high schoolers. This course will help us provide real-world education in the application of modern techniques for cloning engineered fusion proteins in stem cells. Dr. Pentecost will also help us partner with schools and other educational programs, including a STEM initiative with the Lower East Side Girls Club in New York. His addition to the team will assist Pathways to Stem Cell Science in creating more opportunity for students to learn about bioscience, furthering our educational objective of public education and outreach. Dr. Pentecost’s impressive accomplishments include receiving a National Research Service Award and co-authoring eight peer-reviewed publications and one patent. Also, at Cell Care Therapeutics in Los Angeles, California, he was Principal Scientist and then Director of R&D, where he established a biomanufacturing process for a novel stem cell-derived biologic. Dr. Pentecost’s role at Pathways to Stem Cell Science will be coupled with contracted research and launching his own stem cell therapeutics company, Diadem Biotherapeutics. The company will focus on developing Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies for COPD. Pathways to Stem Cell Science is truly excited to welcome Dr. Mickey Pentecost!  

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.”