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$4.4M Grant to Foster Collaboration for Stem Cell Research | Humboldt NOW

.4M Grant to Foster Collaboration for Stem Cell Research | Humboldt NOW

“We are honored by the opportunity to extend CIRM’s ability to accelerate world-class science to deliver transformative regenerative medicine treatments in an equitable manner to our remote yet vibrant area of California through research, education, and outreach,” says Biology Professor and Humboldt-CIRM SRL Principal Investigator Amy Sprowles, who will be the laboratory director and also leads the University’s stem cell research and education programs. College of Natural Resources and Sciences Dean Eric Riggs is Co-PI on the grant and will work closely with the AVP of Facilities Management Mike Fisher on the design and construction of the facility.

The $4.4 million grant is part of a larger $48 million CIRM funding to support creating a network of stem cell research SRLs throughout California. 

Eleven institutions received funding to support an SRL, including the Gladstone Institutes, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, the Lundquist Institute, the City of Hope, Cedars Sinai, the University of Southern California, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Merced. Humboldt is the only university in the California State University system awarded an SRL grant. 

“By investing in Shared Resources Laboratories, we are not only providing essential infrastructure for stem cell research but also positioning California at the forefront of this transformative research. These new SRL awards showcase the remarkable progress in stem cell research and highlight CIRM’s pivotal role in propelling stem cell research forward,” says  Rosa Canet-Aviles, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer (CSO). “Through these awards, CIRM will continue to drive progress, now focusing on cutting-edge disease modeling using human stem cells.” 

The CIRM-funded SRLs are designed to address the challenges that hinder progress in the regenerative medicine field and foster collaboration among California researchers, break down research silos, and provide students and researchers access to top-notch resources and training in using stem cell-based models to accelerate world-class science. These stem cell-based models include various cell types of the brain, cardiovascular system, and other organ systems, and will help advance knowledge of human diseases to identify potential therapies, biomarkers, and drug candidates.

In addition, the SRLs will collaborate to develop and characterize cell lines and data sets available to researchers across the world interested in advancing regenerative cures. 

The Humboldt-CIRM SRL will support research and education opportunities for Cal Poly Humboldt faculty and students as well as special summer workshops and research experiences for students and faculty throughout the CSU system. It will also partner with Humboldt Talent Search, Humboldt Upward Bound, and the Humboldt and Del-Norte County Offices of Education to connect educators and students from our regional middle and high schools. In an effort to address healthcare inequities in our rural region, the Humboldt-CIRM SRL will offer professional development opportunities for local clinical professionals and facilitate educational outreach to local communities through our partnerships with the Humboldt-Del Norte Medical Society and the North Coast Health Leadership Team.

Cal Poly Humboldt has been in partnership with CIRM since 2009 when Dr. Sprowles and Professor Emeritus Jacob Varkey were awarded one of the first CIRM Bridges training grants to support a year-long research program that prepares undergraduate and graduate students for careers in stem cell research and therapy development. Professor Sprowles now serves as Director of the Humboldt CIRM Bridges 3.0 Program with Co-Directors Professors Jenny Cappuccio and Brigitte Blackman, both of whom will be involved in the Humboldt-CIRM SRL. 

Since the introduction of the program, the Humboldt CIRM Bridges has partnered with Stanford University, University of California Davis, UCSF, Gladstone, Cedars Sinai, and The Scripps Research Institute to train 140 students. Over 80% of scholars remain in the field as researchers, clinicians, or educators, and many contribute to important advances in the fields of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. 

The Cal Poly Humboldt- CIRM SRL will be a groundbreaking collaborative laboratory for Humboldt CIRM Bridges scholars and researchers, among others, and is set to open in Fall 2026.

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