NIH grant: ENDURE-LA: AAV Neuroscience Training Program (1R25NS146785-01)

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NIH grant 1R25NS146785-01: ENDURE-LA: AAV Neuroscience Training Program
Institute: {'code': 'NS', 'abbreviation': 'NINDS', 'name': 'National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke', 'admin_org_id': '12500053', 'admin_funding_url': ''}. PI: Andrew David Steele. Award: $283286.
Start: 2026-07-01T00:00:00.
PROJECT SUMMARY
This proposal establishes a partnership between the California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona (CPP) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to create
a pipeline for a resource limited institution (RLI) serving many first-generation college
students to pursue PhD programs in neuroscience. This career development program
provides these students with valuable research training and exposure to an R1 research
environment, addressing a critical need for highly skilled labor force in neuroscience and
STEM fields. Students will begin their training at CPP, where they will engage in
foundational research skills, including techniques in adeno-associated virus (AAV)
applications at Cal Poly’s Armamentarium Vector Core (ArmVC). Over the course of a
year (summer + academic year), they will gain hands-on experience in AAV production,
purification, and capsid characterization, building skills and confidence in a familiar and
supportive setting. In the 2nd summer in the program, the students will transition to UCLA
to participate in intensive research experiences, applying their training to cutting-edge
neuroscience projects—ideally bringing gene tools that they have prepared at the CPP
ArmVC. While at UCLA, they will collaboratively use AAVs and other tools to address
questions critical to PIs at UCLA, thereby benefiting UCLA faculty and projects. Upon
returning to Cal Poly Pomona, students will continue their UCLA-related projects in a
supportive role, ensuring continuity in their research and strengthening ties between the
institutions. This may include additional AAV production, characterization of tissue
samples from ongoing projects, or design and validation of novel AAVs to continue to
delve deeper into a gene therapy related project. This program equips students with
technical expertise, mentorship, and the experience of working in a high-level research
environment, empowering them to pursue advanced degrees. By fostering a well-trained
cohort of neuroscience researchers, this partnership creates a sustainable model for
promoting excellence in STEM education and research.

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