Educating and training the next generation of regenerative science workforce

THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Bridges scholars presenting their research posters to CIRM team members and other scientists Regenerative medicine is a diverse and rapidly evolving field, employing core expertise from biologists, engineers, and clinicians. As the field continues to advance, a well-trained regenerative science workforce is needed to apply the … Continue reading Educating and training the next generation of regenerative science workforce

How these scholars are growing the regenerative medicine field in California

THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST CIRM Scholar Alessandra Rodriguez y Baena Through our new Strategic Plan, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) will build inclusive participation opportunities for all stakeholders, from the students to the workforce to the patients.   That said, it’s important to recognize the important work CIRM has already done … Continue reading How these scholars are growing the regenerative medicine field in California

Breaking down barriers: Expanding patient access and accelerating research

THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST 10 years ago I was presented with an incredibly unique opportunity- to become the fifth patient with spinal cord injuries to participate in the world's first clinical trial testing a treatment made from human embryonic stem cells. It was not only a risky and potentially life-changing decision, … Continue reading Breaking down barriers: Expanding patient access and accelerating research

Stem Cell Agency Board Approves Roadmap for Next Five Years

Dr. Maria Millan, CIRM's President & CEO It's hard to get somewhere if you don't know where you are going. Without a map you can't plan a route to your destination. That's why the CIRM Board approved a new Strategic Plan laying out a roadmap for the Stem Cell Agency for the next five years. … Continue reading Stem Cell Agency Board Approves Roadmap for Next Five Years

Bridges Scholar Spotlight: Samira Alwahabi

THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST For more than a decade, CIRM has funded a number of educational and research training programs to give students the opportunity to explore stem cell science. One such project, the Bridges to Stem Cell Research program, helps train future generation of scientists by preparing undergraduate and … Continue reading Bridges Scholar Spotlight: Samira Alwahabi

Building embryo-like cells in the lab

Dr. Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz: Photo courtesy Caltech Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have many remarkable properties, not the least of which is their ability to turn into every other kind of cell in our body. But there are limits to what researchers can do with embryonic stem cells. One issue is that there aren’t always hESCs … Continue reading Building embryo-like cells in the lab

Training a diverse group of future scientists

Students in CIRM's Bridges program showing posters of their work If you have read the headlines lately, you’ll know that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on the shipping industry. Container vessels are forced to sit out at anchor for a week or more because there just aren’t enough dock workers to unload … Continue reading Training a diverse group of future scientists

Using a stem cell’s journey to teach kids science

THIS BLOG CAN ALSO BE HEARD AS AN AUDIOCAST ON SPOTIFY As far as Aldo Pourchet is concerned you are never too young to learn about stem cells. Aldo should know. He’s a molecular and cellular biologist and the co-founder and CEO of Omios Bio, which develops immunotherapies for cancer, infectious and inflammatory diseases. Aldo … Continue reading Using a stem cell’s journey to teach kids science

Learning life lessons in the lab

Rohan Upadhyay, CIRM SPARK student 2021 One of the most amazing parts of an amazing job is getting to know the students who take part in CIRM’s SPARK (Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative Medicine Knowledge) program. It’s an internship giving high school students, that reflect the diversity of California, a chance to work in a … Continue reading Learning life lessons in the lab

SPARKing the genius of the next generation of scientists

Dr. Kelly Shepard, SPARK program director After almost 18 months – and counting – that have put us all to the test, made us wear masks, work from home, limit contact with all but the closest of family and friends it’s a wonderful thing to be able to get a glimpse of the future and … Continue reading SPARKing the genius of the next generation of scientists