Crissy Field was filled with vibrant colors and massive energy for the 10th annual Moving Day San Francisco event on Saturday, May 4th. Even with the rain and wind, community members showed up to demonstrate their commitment to “moving to end Parkinson’s.”
Moving Day is an annual fundraising walk that unites people living with Parkinson’s Disease, their caregivers, and loved ones to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease and embrace the power of exercise. This celebration encourages the Parkinson’s Disease community to move, which has been proven to help manage symptoms related to the disease.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) was present at the event, engaging with attendees to share information about its commitment to continuing to fund cell and gene therapy research to find treatments for Parkinson’s Disease.
Community members of all ages stopped by the CIRM booth to learn more about us and our impact on Parkinson’s Disease. Information shared included highlights about Aspen Neuroscience and Kenai Therapeutics‘ clinical trials and work being done by BrainXell Therapeutics. We also shared information with younger attendees through coloring pages and word searches.
The event was an amazing demonstration of a community’s dedication to coming together, rain or shine, to show their support for a common cause, in this case, Parkinson’s Disease. The rain did not dampen the energy, giving us a positive boost to continue spreading the message about CIRM and what we are doing to support the Parkinson’s community.
See more photos from the Parkinson’s Moving Day event in the gallery below. To learn more about CIRM’s investments in Parkinson’s Disease research, explore this page on our website. To learn more about the Parkinson’s Moving Day event, visit their official website.
CIRM has produced videos highlighting the experiences of participants from our educational and training programs.
At the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), we are passionate about catalyzing growth in regenerative medicine while championing inclusivity. One of CIRM’s strategic goals is to build a diverse and skilled workforce that represents the rich tapestry of California’s population.
That’s why the CIRM—spearheaded by the Scientific Programs & Education team—is launching a set of videos to showcase the unique perspectives of CIRM’s educational and training program participants from across the state, including students, trainees, program directors, and CIRM leadership. Watch both videos on CIRM’s YouTube channel here and here.
Funding Training Programs for a Diverse California
CIRM’s education and training programs support the next generation of regenerative medicine scientists, ranging from high school and undergrad students to doctoral candidates and clinical fellows.
CIRM funds four unique internship programs, each with its own set of requirements: SPARK (high school), Bridges (Undergraduate and Masters), COMPASS (Undergraduate), and Scholars (Pre-Doctoral, Post-Doctoral, and Clinical Fellows).
Each program offers hands-on experience to foster a workforce adept in stem cell science and the technical skills that are crucial for present and future scientific and medical advancements.
Partnering with community colleges and universities, as well as research institutions and biotechnology companies, each program aims to attract diverse talent to regenerative medicine by offering varied career paths and accessibility across a broader educational spectrum.
Aileen Nava is doctoral student at UCLA and a CSU Fullerton Bridges alumna from 2017
To date, CIRM’s educational and training programs have supported 3,800 interns and fellows, the majority of whom have achieved employment or chose to pursue further education in regenerative medicine or related fields.
Alumni from these programs participate in a broad spectrum of rewarding careers. These range from traditional scientific disciplines to in-demand, complementary and/or ancillary pressions within education, community and patient advocacy, business development, and regulatory affairs. Over 70 institutions have joined CIRM in its mission to advance world class science, deliver real world solutions, and provide opportunities to all.
Opportunities for People with Various Educational Backgrounds
In addition to highlighting experiences of program participants, the videos emphasize that careers in regenerative medicine aren’t limited to those with advanced degrees like PhDs or MDs. There are diverse roles and job opportunities accessible to individuals with various educational backgrounds and skill levels.
David Mendoza Bautista is a masters student intern at Novo Nordisk and a Cal Poly Bridges Trainee.
“Often [students] are first gen, [from] underrepresented groups, these are an amazing group of students who are getting their first opportunity both at the higher education and also the first in their families to do research in labs,” said Bridges Program mentor Samantha Butler, PhD.
At CIRM, diversity fosters innovation. In addition to academic and industry research opportunities, CIRM aims to grow the entire regenerative medicine workforce pipeline, including opportunities in therapeutics manufacturing and clinical trials.
To learn more about CIRM’s educational programs, including information on how to apply, visit our website at cirm.ca.gov/education.
CIRM thanks all program participants, program directors, and CIRM leadership who made these videos possible. Video produced by CIRM’s Scientific Programs & Education team and Hartlove-Goodyear.
Photo Credit: California State University, San Marcos.
Cal State San Marcos cellular and molecular biology student and former California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Bridges intern Kevin Brown Jr. has been awarded the Rising Black Scientist Award from the journal Cell Press, Cell Signaling Technology (CST), and the Elsevier Foundation.
Brown was selected from a pool of more than 350 applicants in various sciences. In the application, Cell Press asked emerging black scientists to share their scientific vision, experiences that sparked their interest in science, how they want to contribute to a more inclusive scientific community, and how these all fit together on their journey.
The awards were created in 2020 to break down barriers and provide visibility and funds to support talented black scientists in the life or medical sciences on their career journey. The awards have since then been expanded to include the physical, earth and environmental, and data sciences.
In addition to the publication of their essays in the prominent journal Cell, Brown and three other winners will receive $10,000 to support their research and a $500 travel grant.
How an Operating Table Experience Inspired Brown’s Passion for Science
Brown’s essay “From the operating table to global science: How a near-death experience sparked my passion for life” details his experience receiving surgery for a heart condition as a child.
“The surgeon, a tall man with a cascade of dark hair framing his sharp facial features, not only put my anxiety to rest but also planted a seed of curiosity in my mind as he gracefully explained how he intended to ‘fix my heart,’” Brown wrote in his winning essay.
“The day I left the hospital, I told myself I’d leave my positive impact on the world through science and medicine, and I haven’t stopped striving for that since.”
He further explains his goal toward developing a robust stem cell model to explore personalized approaches into modern medical practice.
“My personal exploration into how stem cells can help us grapple with Alzheimer’s disease has sparked my interest in a blended neuroscience-regenerative medicine path. However, as someone who has had a lifelong battle with personal and familial cardiac complications, I’m deeply inspired by the possibility of understanding how to utilize stem cells to face the growing number of diverse patients with cardiovascular issues.”
Sparking Curiosity in CIRM’s Bridges Internship Program
In his Cell essay, Brown also details his experience joining the CIRM Bridges to Stem Cell Research and Therapy Program, which prepares California’s undergraduate and master’s graduate students for careers in stem cell research and therapy development.
In the program, he studied for one year in Dr. Hollis Cline’s neuroscience lab at The Scripps Research Institute, which he says sparked his curiosity even further.
“Surprisingly, I left her office with a fresh slate of objectives and a newfound confidence to allow my imagination to be the precursor for innovation,” Brown writes. “It was at that moment that my goal of blending science and medicine, in hopes of creating change, was finally materializing.”
Brown has been very forthcoming in sharing his story. Last year, he detailed his Bridges experience in a blog for The Stem Cellar and CIRM’s 2023 annual report, in which he highlighted his passion for medicine in neuroscience and the challenges he faced in science communication.
To read the official press release about the Rising Black Scientists Awards, click here. Learn more about Kevin Brown Jr. in a feature from Cal State San Marcos.
The streets of Oakland were alive with vibrant colors, infectious energy, and a powerful sense of community as the 2024 Black Joy Parade took center stage on Sunday, February 25.
Black Joy Parade-goers with colorful noisemakers walking down Franklin and 19th St.
The Black Joy Parade is a yearly celebration of the Black community and its contributions to history and culture. The event started with a parade and culminated in a celebration featuring local businesses, community-based organizations, and musical artists.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) was present at the event, engaging with attendees and spreading awareness about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). With approximately 100,000 Americans impacted by this disease, primarily from black and brown communities, raising awareness and funding research is crucial.
At the event, CIRM’s booth drew crowds of all ages eager to learn more. With individuals stopping by to chat and collect materials and countless others exposed to CIRM’s mission through strategic placement, the impact was felt throughout the parade.
CIRM marketing and communications director, Esteban Cortez, in a discussion with a parader-goer.
But it wasn’t just about spreading awareness; it was about fostering connection and joy. Attendees embraced CIRM’s presence, participating in activities like the Blood Cell Plinko board, which became an instant hit!
CIRM medical affairs & policy project manager Emily Crotti, MPH, explains the game Blood Cell Plinko!
More than 110 student scientists from around California showcased their enthusiasm, passion and “spark” for regenerative medicine and stem cell research at this year’s annual CIRM SPARK Conference.
Hosted by Cedars Sinai from Aug. 8-9 in Los Angeles, this year’s event showcased the extraordinary potential of high school students who are poised to become the trailblazers of tomorrow.
Known as the Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative Medicine Knowledge, the culminating event featured a trivia night, keynote speakers, 2-minute research presentations from each participant and poster sessions where students could expand upon their research projects.
UC Riverside SPARK program interns
Throughout their summer internships, participants had an opportunity to work in cohorts on cutting-edge stem cell projects at research labs throughout the state. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, the diverse group of early-career scientists had access to resources and hands-on-training experiences.
“This experience introduced me to people in my lab that became my family. I have met so many extraordinary people through CIRM SPARK. I am excited to share my work from the lab,” said Neena Gowda, a high school student who participated in the SPARK program at UC Riverside.
About CIRM’s SPARK Program
The SPARK program is one of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s (CIRM) many educational programs dedicated to building a diverse and highly-skilled workforce to support the growing regenerative medicine economy right here in California.
CIRM’s paid summer program offers diverse high school students unique opportunities in stem cell research—particularly students who might not otherwise have the chance to take part in internships due to economic constraints.
To date, 736 students have participated in the SPARK program across the state. Currently, there are 11 active sites throughout California, each with its own eligibility criteria and application process.
Innovation on Display
From exploring the potential of stem cells in treating degenerative eye diseases and blood cancers to studying novel regenerative therapies for cardiovascular conditions, the projects spanned a wide range of exciting areas within regenerative medicine.
Students displayed projects that involved gene expression analysis and advanced techniques such as CRISPR, a novel gene-editing technology.
“I love being able to explore neurological disorders and bring my discoveries back to my friends and family. It was an honor to be in the lab and to have an opportunity to discuss the science of neurological disorders free of stigma. I truly love science,” said Shaylyn Carthen, a high school student who interned in UC Davis’ SPARK program.
Shaylyn Carthen, UC Davis SPARK intern
Natalie Alvarez from the SPARK program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science explored stem cell colorectal cancer markers during her summer, but also developed a strong bond with undergraduate students who served as mentors during her SPARK internship.
“That is me crying in the picture on the last day at the lab,” she said, pointing to her final slide of her presentation, explaining how influential the entire experience had been.
Check out other photos from the SPARK two-day conference.
The enthusiasm displayed by these budding scientists show that the brightest minds—even if only in high school—have the potential to rise as leaders in regenerative medicine. Congrats to all the SPARK participants and their program directors on another successful summer!
The goal of the meeting is to provide a place for people in the cell and gene therapy field to learn from the latest scientific research, stay up to date on new technologies and make career-advancing connections with peers. CIRM was a gold sponsor of the event.
In addition to setting up a booth in the exhibit hall, CIRM participated in two sessions including a workshop that highlights the work being done in cell and gene therapy to advance neurological disorders. Speakers highlighted the impact of CIRM funding on research and the use of technologies such as digital biomarkers, optogenetics, and imaging to advance understanding of such disorders.
Abla A. Creasey, Shyam Patel, Hartmuth Kolb, Krystof Bankiewicz, Claire Henchcliffe, Peter Francis, Russ Lebovitz
The BGTC is a public-private partnership, managed by Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), that brings together the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and multiple public and private sector organizations like CIRM to streamline the development and delivery of gene therapies for rare diseases.
The workshop at ASGCT was the BGTC’s first annual meeting, and highlighted progress so far, engaged with the community on next steps, and provided member and patient perspectives on overcoming the challenges faced in the gene therapy field. Read more about CIRM’s involvement in the BGTC here.
Lisa Kadyk, Wenlin Zhang (UCLA), Abla A. Creasey, Ross Okamura, Anthony Aldave (UCLA), MM, Doug Chung (UCLA)
Throughout the week-long conference, CIRM had many great conversations with presenters, grantees, researchers and partnering organizations about its funding opportunities, programs and mission.
Sponsoring and attending conferences like ASGCT not only supports the advancement of cell and gene therapies in California but also provides opportunities for the public to share ideas and feedback directly with CIRM that help shape the future of its programs.
Imbasciani (pictured above at left) was elected to the six-year term at CIRM’s January Board meeting. He will replace outgoing chair Jonathan Thomas, who has served in the position since 2011.
“My experience has positioned me to champion the aims of CIRM, advocate for it cogently, and represent it responsibly before the public and their state and federal elected representatives,” Imbasciani said. “I look forward to the challenge of advancing the groundbreaking work of this Agency, at the same time nourishing the hopes for medical advances held by the citizens of our great State.”
Imbasciani has served as the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) since 2015. As Secretary, he created several new programs within the department, including forging eight independent California veteran homes into a unified system, establishing programs for veterans in state prisons, and supporting the 58 county veteran service offices.
Current CIRM Vice Chair Maria Bonneville, Fmr. Vice Chair Sen. Art Torres (ret). and Fmr. Chair Jonathan Thomas
CIRM also bid farewell to Sen. Art Torres (ret) and Jonathan Thomas (also known as JT) for their service on our Board.
JT was elected as Chair of the Board in 2011 after he was nominated by then-Governor Jerry Brown, Treasurer Bill Lockyer, and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom.
He served as chair of the Governing Board for more than 12 years. In that time, he led CIRM in granting $2.5 billion in grants to support groundbreaking research and discovery to advance stem cell research and accelerate stem cell treatments to patients with unmet medical needs.
He led the agency as it expanded its work with industry, revamped its award processes, prepared for the expiration of bond funding, supported the drafting of Proposition 14, and planned for the next phase of CIRM’s programs after the voters approved $5.5 billion in additional funding.
Senator Torres was nominated in 2009 as CIRM Vice Chair by then-Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom and Treasurer Bill Lockyer, and shortly after was elected by the CIRM Governing Board.
Senator Torres served on the Grants and Standards working groups, and served as the inaugural Chair of the Accessibility and Affordability Working Group. He served on numerous subcommittees, led CIRM’s government relations efforts, and played a pivotal role in launching CIRM’s SPARK high school internship program.
CIRM Vice Chair Maria Bonneville, Fmr. Chair Jonathan Thomas, Chair Vito Imbasciani, and President & CEO Maria Millan
CIRM expresses its deepest gratitude to Senator Torres and JT for their service on its Governing Board and for their dedication to the advancement of stem cell research and our mission to accelerate world class science to deliver transformative regenerative medicine treatments in an equitable manner to a diverse California and world.
Kevin Brown is an adventurer at heart. He was a pre-med student when he found a unique way to combine his passion for medicine in neuroscience with his natural inclination to explore and discover through scientific research.
“I recognized the vital importance of having basic scientific training and thinking skills in relationship to being a good physician,” Kevin said, noting that these factors inspired him to apply to the Bridges program.
Started in 2009, the CIRM Bridges program provides paid regenerative medicine and stem cell research internships to students at universities and colleges that don’t have major stem cell research programs. Each Bridges internship includes thorough hands-on training and education in regenerative medicine and stem cell research, and direct patient engagement and outreach activities that engage California’s diverse communities.
A Growing Field with Many Opportunities
Kevin recognizes that regenerative medicine is a growing field that offers great opportunity for exploration and discovery. It also is likely to have a strong impact on patient care in the field of neuroscience and many other areas of human health. Participating in the program has helped Kevin find a career path that excites both his passions for exploration and for patient care.
During his time in the Bridges program, Kevin attended California State University, San Marcos and he completed his program training at the Dorris Neuroscience Center at The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego.
“Medicine was all that was on my mind but as I got deeper into my research I fell more and more in love with the process of science and began seeing myself as a leader in this field in the future,” Kevin said. “I am now considering taking the MD-PhD path to satisfy both my yearning to leave a positive impact on the world through healthcare and continue venturing through the unknowns to hopefully create meaningful breakthroughs in science in the future.”
He credits his mentors—graduate student Anna Verduzco and principal investigator Dr. Hollis Cline—for helping him discover his future career path. The program and his mentors, he said, have made him a better student, a better scientist, and a better person overall.
“They helped mold the way that I approach scientific and life problems—curiosity at the forefront followed by openness to try something new.”
Overcoming Challenges
Kevin said one challenge of the internship was learning how to think, write, and communicate scientifically.
“The conventional way of learning and thinking in school is vastly different than the scientific way of thought,” Kevin said. “However, my lab partners were extremely helpful in helping me cultivate these skills by having me consistently talking through my experiments with them, do periodic write-ups on my progress, and give lab meeting presentations.”
Today, Kevin is a full-time student at CSU San Marcos completing his Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Physiology. He is still a part-time research intern at The Scripps Research Institute in the Cline lab working toward understanding how stem cell derived brain cells can be used to study the intricacies of Alzheimer’s Disease in a genetic and cell-signaling context.
And he’s paying it forward for other students. “I am building a mentoring network to provide CIRM’s SPARK high school program interns with the necessary help and tools to transition into their college career feeling empowered and confident in their ability to succeed.”
He offers important advice regarding the field of stem cell and regenerative medicine research, and strong words for future explorers everywhere: be courageous, adaptable, and resilient.
“A lot of the work being done, especially within the context of regenerative medicine and neuroscience, has never been done before,” he said, noting that young pioneers in this space should be creative in their approach and not easily dissuaded by failure.
Kevin urges more people to become pioneers.
He adds, “Stem cell research is vital to the development of understanding how we can address the vast amount of diseases and conditions that impact humans.”
About the Bridges Program
The Bridges program is proud to claim 1,735 Bridges alumni, and more Bridges trainees are completing their internships in 2023. CIRM has 15 active Bridges programs throughout California, each with its own eligibility criteria and application process.
If you are interested in applying, please visit this web page for more details about each program. If you have questions about the Bridges program, please email the CIRM Bridges director, Dr. Kelly Shepard at education@cirm.ca.gov.
Earlier this year, CIRM welcomed many energetic and enthusiastic high school students at the 2022 SPARK Program annual conference in Oakland. The SPARK program is one of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s (CIRM) many programs dedicated to building a diverse and highly-skilled workforce to support the growing regenerative medicine economy right here in California.
At the SPARK conference, a handful of students presented the stem cell research they did over the summer. It was a great opportunity to share their experiences as well as findings to their high school peers.
Just recently, Simran Ovalekar—a 2022 SPARK program intern—had the unique opportunity to share her research and findings with a wider audience, including undergraduate and PhD students at STEM Shadow Day in San Diego. The event aims to provide college prep students from San Diego and Imperial Valley counties with a unique experience to witness the “real world” of work in an engineering or scientific environment.
“At first I was nervous because I understood that I would be presenting not only in front of high school students, but also undergraduates and PhD candidates,” Simran says. “After reviewing my research, I felt solid and excited to present. I absolutely loved working in the lab so I knew all I had to do was be myself and show my enthusiasm.”
During the SPARK summer internship, Simran joined the Sacco Lab to study Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and how stem cells can be used to provide treatment. DMD is a progressive muscle wasting disorder with life expectancy of approximately age 20. There are around 17,000 people, the vast majority of them boys, diagnosed with DMD in the US.
Dr. Sacco’s lab—which has also received CIRM funding—is researching ways to generate healthy adult muscle stem cells using the patient’s own cells to generate healthy skeletal muscle.
For Simran, conducting research for DMD was personal, as her sister was born with a defect affecting the heart.
“When I began this program, I had a superficial understanding of what a stem cell was. Now, however, I am amazed at the possibilities stem cells provide, and with certainty, can say stem cells are the future of medicine.”
After her presentation at STEM Shadow Day, Simran says she received a positive response from attendees and was reminded why she loves science and of her passion for pursuing a career in stem cell research.
“I am looking forward to continue skeletal stem cell research and am even open to experimenting with other avenues of molecular medicine,” Simran says. “I am eager to have the opportunity to pursue the hands-on research I enjoyed this past summer.”
CIRM has also funded a clinical trial for people with DMD. We blogged about that work and how the impact it is having on some people’s lives.
The headline in the journal Nature was intended to grab attention and it definitely did that. It read: ‘The scandal of researchers paid less than a living wage’ The rest of the article built on that saying “The cost-of-living crisis is a fundamental threat for PhD scholars and early-career researchers. They need to be paid properly.”
So, just how poorly are these researchers – PhD candidates and postdoctoral students – paid? Well, according to one survey salaries for PhD students in the biological sciences are below the cost of living at almost every institution in the United States. And imagine trying to live on a sub-standard income in a state as expensive as California?
The outrage is fueled by a survey of more than 3,200 students, three quarters of whom are PhD candidates. Around 85% of the students said inflation is making things even worse and almost half said it was making it hard to complete their courses.
The situation isn’t any better in other countries. In the UK, PhD students often get the equivalent of just $20,400, and that’s after getting a recent big boost of more than $2,000 per year. It’s no wonder English students organized protests calling for better funding. Students in Ireland also staged protests, saying the money they get simply isn’t enough.
The Nature Editorial said this isn’t just a matter of inconvenience for the students, it’s a threat to the future of science: “If students don’t have the resources to support themselves, they can’t put their full efforts into their training and development. And if their stipends aren’t keeping pace with rising rents and the cost of groceries and fuel, any gaps will only grow with time — with devastating results for the ability of research to attract the best talent.”
That’s one of the reasons the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) tries to make sure all the students in its internship programs have enough money to live on. We know it’s hard to focus on work if you are hungry or worried that you don’t have enough money to pay your bills.
When our Board approved a new internship program, called COMPASS (Creating Opportunities through Mentorship and Partnership Across Stem Cell Science) they made sure that enough money was included to cover students living expenses, course fees and even travel to scientific conferences. The Board allocated more than $58,000 a year to support each students, many of whom will come from poor or low-income communities and might not otherwise be able to afford to stay in school.
For our Bridges students, many of whom are also from low-income communities or are the first in their family to attend college, the Board allocated each one around $72,000 worth of support per year.
We know that the future of regenerative medicine in California depends on having a skilled, well-trained, diverse workforce. That doesn’t just mean PhDs doing the research, it also means the technicians and support staff that can help with manufacturing etc. Without a living wage that makes this possible many students will drop out and the field as a whole will struggle. Those most affected will be students from poor backgrounds or from disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities.
We need to support these students in every way we can. If we don’t provide enough financial support for these students to succeed, the field as a whole will be a lot poorer.
The Stem Cellar 