Education

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine offers education and training pathways in regenerative medicine. These programs serve high school, undergraduate, and graduate students across California.

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First-generation graduate career path in cell and gene therapies to fight cancer

/ California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)

Gisselle Contreras's parents beam with pride at all she's achieved.  "I've exceeded their expectations," said Contreras. Gisselle Contreras's parents beam with pride at all she's achieved.  A graduate of California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in molecular biology, she’s the first person in her family to earn a college degree.   She's researching gene and cell therapies to treat glioblastoma, an aggressive … Continue reading First-generation graduate career path in cell and gene therapies to fight cancer

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Summer of science for these CIRM students

/ California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)

In a summer doubleheader, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) hosted back-to-back conferences over two weekends for hundreds of aspiring California student scientists.  Together, these events highlight the pipeline of homegrown talent that will shape the next decade of stem cell and gene therapy breakthroughs in California. California voters invested in regenerative medicine not just to … Continue reading Summer of science for these CIRM students

CIRM COMPASS scholar road to becoming a physician

/ California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) / Leave a comment

Written by Holly Alyssa MacCormick Image Credit: Maya Singh Many paths can lead to a career as a physician. For undergraduate Maya Singh, the road to becoming a doctor begins at a laboratory bench in the University of California, Berkeley. “I believe that being a part of research is a huge step toward being a … Continue reading CIRM COMPASS scholar road to becoming a physician

20 Years of CIRM: Building the Workforce

/ Amy Adams / 1 Comment

In celebration of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)’s 20th anniversary, we have been reflecting on some of the early projects, particularly the education and training programs, that we supported and their outcomes. In the beginning Today, we’re looking at our first set of grants, which we awarded in 2006 to support training programs … Continue reading 20 Years of CIRM: Building the Workforce

How a childhood condition sparked a career in regenerative medicine

/ California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) / Leave a comment

CIRM Scholar Dongwei Sun, PhD (left), with his mentor Huinan Liu, PhD, professor of bioengineering at the University of California, Riverside. As a child, Dongwei Sun received a medical treatment that left his lower limbs weak and sometimes numb. “This experience inspired my dedication to develop biomedical technologies to prevent, treat, and potentially cure debilitating … Continue reading How a childhood condition sparked a career in regenerative medicine

CIRM Bridges Program: Cultivating Future Scientists

/ California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) / 1 Comment

Esmerelda “Esme” Ruiz-Garcia grew up in California in a Mexican-American family, where pursuing a career in healthcare is considered a family calling, but through CIRM's Bridges program she's now pursuing her Ph.D. focused on bioengineering and stem cell research.

Solano Student’s Life-Saving Bone Marrow Match Begins with One Swab

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Image Source: Jose Solorio Jose Solorio, a Solano Community College student and participant in CIRM’s COMPASS training program, has firsthand experience in witnessing the power of stem cells as a donor after he became a bone marrow match. Hands-on research As part of CIRM's COMPASS program, which provides hands‑on research experience across 16 programs statewide … Continue reading Solano Student’s Life-Saving Bone Marrow Match Begins with One Swab

A new generation in the golden era of regenerative medicine

/ Christina Smith / Leave a comment

CIRM CEO and President, Jonathan 'JT' Thomas, speaking in front of conference attendees. At this year's California Institute for Regenerative Medicine Trainee Networking Conference, the young scientists assembled heard it loud and clear: this is the time, and California is the place for regenerative medicine. “You’re in the golden era of biomedical innovation,” said CIRM … Continue reading A new generation in the golden era of regenerative medicine

A CIRM Bridges Trainee’s Path into Regenerative Medicine

/ California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) / 1 Comment

Josh Nelson, a former technical director for various theaters, tapped into CIRM's Bridges program at Cal Poly Humbolt to establish a career in regenerative medicine research.

A day in the life of SPARK interns

/ California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) / 1 Comment

The CIRM‑funded SPARK program is one of CIRM’s educational initiatives that builds a diverse, highly skilled regenerative medicine workforce. This paid summer program gives diverse high school students valuable stem cell research opportunities, especially those who lack access due to economic barriers. This year, students across California participated again. To highlight their experiences, we asked … Continue reading A day in the life of SPARK interns