CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE STEM CELL RESEARCH
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COMPASS Program

Two female researchers in the lab wearing lab coats

The UCLA COMPASS Research Training Program is designed to prepare undergraduate students (both continuing UCLA students and transfer students) for careers in regenerative medicine with a commitment to addressing the workforce and healthcare needs of California’s varied demographics. 

By combining hands-on research opportunities with foundational coursework in stem cell biology, and strategic and structured research and mentorship experiences, this program provides students the opportunity to explore a variety of ways in which their research skills can be applied towards improving human health through career paths in stem cell research.

COMPASS (Creating Opportunities through Mentorship and Partnership Across Stem Cell Science) is a statewide initiative funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

  • 1-on-1 mentorship
  • Capstone project
  • Workshops on resume/interview preparation, professional development, networking and science communications
  • Career counseling and introduction to various science career paths
  • Scientific poster presentation at UCLA’s Annual Stem Cell Symposium

Faculty mentors have included:

Headshot of S. Thomas Carmichael in a lab coat smiles in a UCLA lab
S. Thomas Carmichael, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Neurology
Amander Clark photograph.
Amander T. Clark, Ph.D.
Professor, Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
Dr. Brigitte Gomperts
Brigitte Gomperts, M.D.
Associate Director, Translational Research, UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center
Song Li, Ph.D.
Chancellor’s Professor, Bioengineering
A researcher smiles into the camera inside a lab.
Hanna K.A. Mikkola, Ph.D.
Professor, Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
Kathrin Plath Headshot
Kathrin Plath, Ph.D.
Professor, Biological Chemistry
BSCRC director Thomas Rando smiles at the camera and sports a grey suit jacket.
Thomas A. Rando, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center

Program Leadership

Headshot of COMPASS program director Tracy Johnson
Tracy Johnson
Program Director
Headshot of COMPASS program coordinator Emily Hertzberg
Emily Hertzberg
Program Coordinator

Contact

BSCRCAwards@mednet.ucla.edu