Education and Training Resources
Education and Training Resources
• We accept and train 40-45 trainees annually
- 10 undergrads, 24 predocs (plus 5 in quick-start), 5 postdocs/clinical fellows
- CIRM SCHOLAR: PI(s): Peter Donovan*, Bogi Andersen (Grant period: 01/01/2022 to 12/31/2026)
- COMPASS Scholars PI: Brian Cummings* (Grant period: 12/01/2022 to 11/30/2027)
- NIAMS T32 PI(s): Bogi Andersen*, Anand Ganesen (Grant period: 05/01/2022 to 04/30/2027)
- NINDS T32 PI(s): Leslie Thompson*, Peter Donovan (Grant period: 07/01/2023 to 06/30/2028)
- NINDS R25 PI(s): Peter Donovan*, TBD (Grant period: 01/01/2024 to 12/31/2028)
*Denotes lead PI on the grant
• Plus 2 SOM certificate programs in each of CIRM Alpha Clinic and GMP Facility
- Clinical Research Coordinator (2 cohorts completed, 14 alumni)
- Clinical Trial Investigator (2 cohorts completed, 13 alumni)
- GMP Facilities Operations (2 cohorts completed, 12 alumni)
- GMP Professional program (1 cohort completed, 12 alumni)
- Stem cell techniques training (long-standing)
- Bioengineering bootcamp (cohort 1 in August 2025)
- IPSC and CRISPR gene editing (Cohort 1 in November 2025)
- Mass Imaging (Cohort 1 in September 2025)
- Mass cytometry (in planning stages)
UCI Stem Cell Research Center - Current Training Program Applications
| Training Program and Program Director(s) | Training Level / Key Applicant Criteria | Upcoming Call for Applications | Anticipated Program Start Date | Administrative Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIRM COMPASS Scholars Program Program Director(s): Brian Cummings*, PhD Monique Williams, PhD |
Undergraduate Students Criteria (any): 1st and 2nd year undergraduate students preferred, students starting their 3rd year can apply. Socioeconomically disadvantaged, First-Generation College student, military personnel or veteran, over 30+, disabled. Commitment: 2 years *U.S. citizenship and U.S. permanent resident, not required for applicants. |
Applications due February 2026 | June 2026 | Academic Coordinator: Monique Williams, PhD email: monique.williams@uci.edu Fiscal Officer: Chris Nishi email: cnishi@hs.uci.edu |
| CIRM Scholars Comprehensive Research Training Program for Predoctoral, Postdoctoral, and Clinical Fellows Program Director(s): Peter Donovan*, PhD Bogi Andersen, MD |
Predoctoral Trainees Criteria: 2nd or 3rd years. 1st years OK but low priority. Commitment: 3 years Postdoctoral Trainees Criteria: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year. Commitment: 2 years Clinical Fellow Criteria: At least 75% effort in research. Commitment: 1 year *U.S. citizenship and U.S. permanent resident, not required for applicants. |
We are currently not accepting applicants for 2026. | Multiple start dates throughout the year | Education Program Administrator: Abbie Enriquez email: abbiee@hs.uci.edu Fiscal Officer: Quyen Dang email: quyenbd@hs.uci.edu |
| NIH T32 Interdisciplinary Training Program in SKIN Biology Program Director(s): Bogi Andersen*, MD Anand Ganesan, MD, PhD |
Predoctoral Trainees Criteria: 2nd or 3rd years Commitment: 2 years Postdoctoral Trainees Criteria: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year Commitment: 2 years *Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident required for applicants. |
Predoctoral Trainee Application: next call is anticipated to be mid-April to the End of May Postdoctoral Trainee Application: next anticipated call will be mid-April to the End of May |
Predoctoral Trainees: start date for the 2025 call will be October 1, 2025 Postdoctoral Trainees: July 1, 2024 or October 1, 2024 |
Education Program Administrator: Abbie Enriquez email: abbiee@hs.uci.edu Fiscal Officer: Chris Nishi email: cnishi@hs.uci.edu |
| NIH T32 Training Program in Stem Cell Translational Medicine for Neurological Disorders Program Director(s): Leslie Thompson*, PhD Peter Donovan, PhD |
Predoctoral Trainees Criteria: must be in 2nd or 3rd year to apply Commitment: 2 year *Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident required for applicants. |
Predoctoral Trainee Application: next call is anticipated to be in May 2025 | 2025 call will be October 1, 2025 | Education Program Administrator: Abbie Enriquez email: abbiee@hs.uci.edu Fiscal Officer: Quyen Dang email: quyenbd@hs.uci.edu |
| Alpha Clinic Clinical Trial Investigator Training Program - Certificate Program Director(s): Daniela Bota, MD, PhD Victor Joe, MD, MBA Professional Program Open to non-UCI affiliates |
Professional level trainees Criteria: MD, PhD, PharmD, etc. Commitment: 20 weeks |
Applications due mid-Fall 2025 | Beginning of January 2026 | Academic Coordinator: Monique Williams, PhD email: monique.williams@uci.edu |
| Alpha Clinic Clinical Research Coordinator Training Program – Certificate Program Director(s): Daniela Bota, MD, PhD Yuna Muyshondt, MPH Open to non-UCI affiliates |
Criteria: Candidates that have or are obtaining bachelors or masters degrees or have entry level CRC experience. Summer session – 10-week commitment Accelerated session - 6-week commitment |
Summer session applications due mid March 2026 Accelerated session applications due December 2025 |
Summer session - End of June 2026 Accelerated session - Winter 2026 |
Academic Coordinator: Monique Williams, PhD email: monique.williams@uci.edu |
| GMP Facility Operations Training Program – Certificate Program Director(s): Aileen Anderson, PhD Open to non-UCI affiliates |
Criteria: Candidates that have or are obtaining bachelors or masters degrees, or with years of GMP experience Commitment: 7 weeks |
Applications due mid March 2026 | End of June 2026 | Academic Coordinator: Monique Williams, PhD email: monique.williams@uci.edu |
| GMP Professional Training Program – Certificate Program Director(s): Aileen Anderson, PhD Alex Minella, MD Professional Program Open to non-UCI affiliates |
Criteria: Professionals that have or are obtaining advanced degrees (MS, MBA, PhD, MD, PharmD, etc) or with years of GMP experience. Commitment: 6 weeks |
Applications due mid March/April 2026 | April 2026 | Academic Coordinator: Monique Williams, PhD email: monique.williams@uci.edu |
*Denotes lead PI on the grant