Cal State San Marcos announced Friday that it has been awarded a five-year grant of approximately $3 million from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to invest in a new COMPASS training program.

COMPASS – or creating opportunities through mentorship and partnerships across stem cell science – works to prepare a diverse group of undergraduates for careers in regenerative medicine by combining research opportunities and mentorship experiences The purpose is that. CSUSM’s COMPASS recruits local high school students to colleges and trains them in stem cells and life sciences.

Maria T. Millan, Ph.D., president and CEO of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that the benefits of scientific discoveries are not always available to the communities that need them most.”

“CIRM is committed to addressing these challenges by creating a diverse and dedicated workforce capable of adopting novel therapeutic ideas and meeting the technical demands to bring them to life. I’m here,’ she said.

The $2,877,200 grant will fund stem cell education outreach at three North County high schools (High Tech High North County, Mission Hills High School, and San Marcos High School). Also, over the two years of training, he will support 30 students and provide research mentors with training on diversity, equity and inclusion, according to a CSU San Marcos statement.

The program not only recruits high school students, but also freshmen of the CSUSM Biotechnology Faculty.

“We are excited to partner with CSUSM to provide high school students with an introduction to the life sciences,” said San Marcos Unified School District Superintendent Andy Johnsen. “This work is fully aligned with our vision to ensure that all SMUSD students are ‘future-ready’ by providing opportunities to explore future career areas. “

As part of the mentoring program, CSUSM has partnered with the La Jolla Institute of Immunology and Sanford Burnham Prebeads Medical Discovery. The institution provides tours and instruction on various components of each organization’s R&D pipeline.

At the La Jolla Institute of Immunology, Ph.D. Mitchell Kronenberg and Sujan Shresta will mentor his COMPASS trainees. Cronenberg is focused on learning more about the role of immune cells in the airways, lungs and gut. Shresta is dedicated to revealing how immune cells interact with viruses such as Zika, SARS-CoV-2 and dengue. Her lab also specializes in developing mouse models for immune system research.

“We are pleased to give COMPASS trainees a first-hand look at the challenges and opportunities in immunology,” said Kronenberg. “This is a fascinating field where students can follow their curiosity to pursue different career opportunities and contribute to life-saving work.”

One of the grant’s first events, Stem Cell Awareness Day, kicked off on October 11, when Bianca Romina Mote, CSUSM Biology Professor, head of the grant program, took undergraduates to partner high schools. , introduces the COMPASS program to high schools. senior in school.

City News Service contributed to this article.