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Medical, Dental and Veterinary Student Training Program - 2011

RFA # 0906291030

Institution PI Amount Title
Cornell University Lisa Fortier $76,617 Stem Cell Training of Veterinary Students to Foster the Development of Cross-trained Stem Cell Scientists in New York State
Stony Brook University - SUNY Soosan Ghazizadeh $71,636 Stony Brook Dental School Stem Cell Training Program

 

Stem Cell Training of Veterinary Students to Foster the Development of Cross-trained Stem Cell Scientists in New York State

Lisa Fortier, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Cornell University
$76,617

The objective of the Empire State Veterinary Student Stem Cell Research Training Program is to provide rigorous laboratory training in stem cell science for veterinary students during a one year research fellowship. The program endeavors to foster the development of uniquely trained veterinary scientists by immersing them in a stem cell project where they will develop theoretical excellence, learn investigative skills and make novel contributions to the field of stem cell biology throughout their careers. Veterinary students will be recruited into the program after completion of at least 2 years of Veterinary school, with an emphasis placed on recruiting underrepresented minorities. Given that a recent poll of Cornell veterinary students indicated that 10% of the students are keenly interested in such training, a viable and sustainable program is expected. Evaluations of the degree to which the fellowship program is successful will be obtained at 6 month intervals from each Fellow, Mentor, and Fellow Oversight Committee. The latter will provide a written evaluation, including assessment of the student and mentor, and the PI and Co-PI will conduct exit interviews with each student and mentor. Within 2 years of completing their fellowship, each fellow will be expected to: 1) demonstrate an area of theoretical and laboratory excellence in stem cell science; 2) publish a manuscript that makes a novel and important contribution to the field and; 3) demonstrate an understanding of the ethics and progress related to stem cell science in the laboratory, clinic, and public arenas. Program participants will be expected to continue to mature as stem cell scientists throughout their careers and to be able to communicate effectively to lay and scientific audiences the importance of continued investigation and clinical application of stem cell therapy, as we collectively strive to improve human health and welfare in New York State.

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Stony Brook Dental School Stem Cell Training Program

Soosan Ghazizadeh, Ph.D.
Stony Brook University - SUNY
$71,636

The Sloan-Kettering institute has a long-standing tradition in stem cell research.  Over the last few years, several major initiatives have further strengthened the resources available for stem cell research.  These include financial support from the Starr foundation to support collaborative stem cell projects within the Tri-institute.  Other important developments are the establishment of the Center for Cell Engineering and the Center for Stem Cell Biology (CSCB).  These collaborative research centers form an integrated research effort in stem cell biology enabling faculty recruitment, enhancement of facilities and training program.  The NYSTEM training program is led by Dr. Studer, the founding director of the CSCB.  Trainings slots for five postdoctoral trainees are requested, which was made possible by the commitment of the institution to waive applicable tuition costs.  A detailed training program will be offered that covers basic and applied aspects of stem cell biology, offers practical training in human ESC/iPSC technology, and organizes scientific colloquia and internal and external lecture series and career development seminars.  A carefully selected core group of eight research mentors will assist the PI in the training effort.  Procedures for oversight and evaluation of the program are set in place including assessment of the program by internal and external advisory boards.  The application takes advantage of the unique resources available at our institute ranging from basic developmental biology and genetic lineage tracing to pluripotency, directed differentiation, stem cell engineering, chemical/genetic screening and regenerative medicine including clinical grade cell processing.  The broad set of expertise available combined with a focused and highly interactive training effort should enable a unique postdoctoral training experience.  The availability of an integrated stem cell training program is critical for the development of the next generation of stem cell scientists able to transcend traditional departmental boundaries and harness the full potential of stem cell biology for biomedical applications.

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