University of California-Los Angeles (out-of-state)

Each UCLA student accepted into the COMPASS program will be matched with a faculty mentor from the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center and will engage in at least six quarters of laboratory research, gaining valuable hands-on experience and earning credit towards their degree. COMPASS scholars will also complete courses designed to equip them with the skills they need to build careers in the stem cell field, present their research at conferences and receive training in science communications and community outreach. Applicants will initially be recruited from two UCLA programs: The Academic Advancement Program's Transfer Summer Program and Pathways to Success. The Transfer Summer Program assists transfer students from historically underrepresented backgrounds with acclimating to the UCLA campus as well as its academic rigor and standards. Pathways to Success, which was developed by Dr. Tracy Johnson, is a four-year, honors-level program designed to support undergraduate students' efforts in STEM majors, academic achievement, sense of belonging in science and career goals. Both the Transfer Summer Program and Pathways to Success offer authentic research experiences, rigorous coursework, quality peer relationships and distinctive opportunities for undergraduate students and their mentors.