October 05, 2009

New M.S. Specialization in Stem Cell Research

Cal Poly is poised to become a leader in regenerative medicine as a result of a $1.4 million Bridges to Stem Cell Research Award to establish a master's degree specialization in stem cell research.

"The grant not only promotes sophisticated research undertaken by Cal Poly students at partner research institutions, but it also means Cal Poly can now help address the critical need for professionals capable of translating research discoveries into stem cell based therapies," states Dr. Trevor Cardinal, BMED professor and coordinator of the new program. Other faculty who helped develop the specialization includes biomedical engineering professors Drs. Kristin Cardinal and Lily Laiho; Dr. Dan Walsh, associate dean; biological sciences professor Dr. Nikki Adams; and animal science professor Dr. Matthew Burd. 

The Bridges Award comes from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the state agency created to distribute nearly $3 billion in bond funding approved by the passage of Proposition 71 in 2004. CIRM is the largest source of funding for human embryonic and multi-use stem cell research.

Cal Poly's new Master's of Science degree specialization in Stem Cell Research will be offered to ten students each year. The program has three main components: coursework, a research internship, and a Master's project. According to Cardinal, the built-in internship makes Cal Poly's program unique. "The grad students will spend nine months working with one of our partner institutions on a rigorous project in a research-intensive environment," he explains. "And when they return for the culmination of their degrees, they will integrate their experience into the framework of research projects existing on campus."

Cal Poly's stem cell research partners include Stanford, the Salk Institute, Scripps Institute, UC San Diego, and Novocell, a company that manufactures insulin-producing cells for diabetics.

Prop. 71 provided hope to millions who suffer from diseases or injuries that are currently incurable, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, blindness, Lou Gehrig's disease, HIV/AIDS, mental health disorders, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and more than 70 other diseases and injuries.

With its new focus on stem cell research, Cal Poly is part of the cure for these devastating illnesses.

For more information about CIRM see http://www.cirm.ca.gov/

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