A major institutional goal of the UCSF-CIRM Scholars Research Training Program is to educate and train individuals from a wide variety of academic disciplines and backgrounds, while creating a supportive and inclusive community environment. We define the scope of these efforts broadly and recognize many different types of barriers to success. Fostering a supportive community that is representative of the wider Bay Area and California populations makes our research teams more effective, enriches our culture, and brings a broader range of perspectives to our community.
At UCSF, our commitment to promoting community is woven into all levels of our university administration, from the Offices of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of Opportunity and Outreach to each department and program, and they are reinforced by trainee and faculty campus organizations. The Office of Opportunity and Outreach provides community building opportunities across UCSF through ongoing assessment, development of new programs, and building consensus. These initiatives are amplified by each School and Department through more targeted programs. The UCSF Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs coordinates outreach and community building activities for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees, as well as community-oriented courses and training for faculty and students. The University initiatives are complemented by the actions of our student-run campus organizations that provide visibility for student affinity groups on campus, build community, and advocate for positive changes within UCSF and at the state and national levels. UCSF-CIRM Scholars will be part of a rich array of resources and structures that promote community building in the workplace.
The resources provided by the UCSF-CIRM Scholars Research Training Program synergize with university ongoing community building efforts. Scholars contribute to and benefit from the diverse community at UCSF through participation in campus organizations, programs, and events. Indeed, several of our programs, including the Science & Health Education Partnership (SEP), Summer Research Training Program (SRTP), and the PROPEL post-baccalaureate program, provide opportunities for CIRM-funded trainees to mentor and teach students from different education levels and backgrounds in both laboratory and classroom settings. These near-peer mentoring relationships are invaluable for both the mentors’ and mentees’ career development.
In addition, UCSF-CIRM Scholars will be invited to participate in community outreach efforts, such as attending the annual SACNAS or ABRCMS meetings to meet prospective applicants to UCSF programs, or accompanying faculty on outreach visits to California State Universities. They will also have the opportunity to participate in advocacy and community building efforts coordinated by student-led affinity groups. Collectively, these synergies will help to create a supportive and engaged community within the CIRM-funded training program.