We might be a little biased here but at the stem cell agency we consider stem cell research an important part of the future of medicine. So it’s no surprise that we consider our Bridges students an important part of the future of that research.

The CIRM Bridges to Stem Cell Research Awards fund courses and research internships for undergraduates and masters-level students. The goal is to train the next generation of stem cell scientists and laboratory technicians.

Over the next two days we’ll be holding a conference to bring together more than 150 of these students with some of the leading stem cell researchers from around California. It’s a chance for some of these students, who are already part of the program, to present results from the work they have done. For others it’s a chance to meet some of the people they hope to work for.

For those of us who work at the stem cell agency, it’s a chance to recharge our batteries, to get inspiration from the enthusiasm and excitement of these students for the work they are doing or hope to do.

Over the past few years we have invested more than $50 million in this program, helping more than 350 students (352 to be precise) to do great research at 57 different academic institutions and biotech companies around California.

It’s an investment in the future. We think it’s money well spent.

We’ll bring you some highlights of the meeting in a future blog. In the meantime, watch the video at the top of this blog for highlights from last year’s meeting.

K.M.