At RSRF we support two science training outreach programs, the Bridges to the Future and the SEPA (Science Education Partnership Award) both funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The goal of the Bridges to the Future program is to increase the number of minority biomedical science majors who transfer to SDSU, or other 4-year universities from community colleges, and to enhance the chances of their retention in, and their graduation from, 4-year universities. The Bridge's program includes a six week internship at the Rees-Stealy Research Laboratory during which the students receive hands-on training in molecular biology and cardiac cell physiology experimental applications, as well as lectures on these topics.

SEPA is a new RSRF/SDSU training paradigm consisting of a partnership among: RSRF, the SDSU College of Sciences and College of Education, and teachers in the South Bay region involving four San Diego County school districts. The goal of the program is to develop a "pipeline" training model in the biomedical sciences for K-12 students through teacher development, curriculum enrichment, technology infusion, and parent involvement: That is, to put students on an early track to doctoral level career programs in biomedical sciences.

This past summer we hosted eight Bridges to the Future students and six SEPA high school teachers. Yet another program in which RSRF participates is the Upward Bound Math/Science Regional Center's Mentorship Program. For six weeks this past summer, we were host to high school student, Luis Rodriguez from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Luis received hands-on training in molecular biology techniques and primary heart cell preparations. He also completed a project which involved restriction endonuclease mapping of an expression vector to be used in one of our research projects.