Endure-LA: AAV neuroscience training program

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke awarded CAL Poly Pomona Foundation Inc. $283,286 on July 1, 2026, under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders program (CFDA 93.853) to establish the ENDURE-LA training initiative building a neuroscience career pipeline from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona to the University of California, Los Angeles.

The program trains first-generation college students from this resource-limited institution in adeno-associated virus (AAV) research techniques and neuroscience, beginning with foundational skills at Cal Poly Pomona's Armamentarium Vector Core (ARMVC), where students gain hands-on experience in AAV production, purification, and capsid characterization over a summer and academic year. In the second summer, students transition to UCLA for intensive research experiences applying their training to cutting-edge neuroscience projects, ideally bringing gene tools prepared at Cal Poly's core facility. Upon return to Cal Poly Pomona, students continue UCLA-related projects in a supportive role, which may include additional AAV production, tissue sample characterization, or novel AAV design and validation for gene therapy research. The program equips students with technical expertise, mentorship, and exposure to an R1 research environment to prepare them for PhD programs in neuroscience and STEM fields.

Performance takes place in Pomona, California. The period of performance extends from July 1, 2026, through May 31, 2031.

Abstract

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.