Summer Internship

Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing at LCGM

Stanford Laboratory for Cell & Gene Medicine (LCGM) is an innovative, state-of-the-art, multi-product manufacturing facility that develops cell and gene-based therapies for early phase clinical trials in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) FDA regulations. To educate and train the next generation of cell and gene therapy professionals, we offer a unique summer internship opportunity for undergraduate students.

LCGM’s projects represent diverse therapeutic modalities including hematopoietic stem cells and host alloantigen-specific regulatory T cells to prevent Graft versus Host Disease, genetically engineered immune cells (T-cells) for cancer immunotherapy and complex immune syndromes and CRISPR gene correction for sickle cell disease amongst others. 

The LCGM Summer Program offers a 10-week exciting opportunity to learn from world class scientists who support translational medicine. The successful applicant will learn from and practice skills on challenging projects in any one of the following roles: Process Development & Manufacturing or Quality Assurance or Quality Control.  

The Process Development & Manufacturing team develops large scale, closed system, cGMP compliant procedures to manufacture innovative cell and gene therapies. The student’s learning experience MAY include:

• LCGM cell and gene therapy project overview, vector process development
• Aseptic technique; cell thaw, expansion, cryopreservation, scale-up; upstream/downstrea,
• Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Documentation Practices (GDP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Analytical assays, Titration assays for Vector titer determination

The Quality Assurance team oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of LCGM’s Quality Management System and ensures that product quality meets regulatory and accreditation requirements. The student’s learning experience MAY include:

• Regulatory and Quality Assurance Overview
• On the job experience in Quality System Processes and Manufacturing Support Activities
• Core activities: Materials Management, Training, and Process Improvement

The Quality Control Operations team ensures product efficacy and safety. The student’s learning experience MAY include:

• Data analysis and trending
• LCGM cell and gene therapy project overview
• Overview of Quality Control analytical assays and techniques
• Overview of implementing Quality processes

The Quality Control Analytical Development team ensures product efficacy and safety. The student’s learning experience MAY include:

• LCGM cell and gene therapy project overview
• Environmental Monitoring: microbial and air quality testing and analysis
• Cell product analytical assays and techniques
• Equipment learning: automated cell counter, flow cytometry; PCR

•  
• Students also take part in lunch and learn sessions (live and on-demand), a career panel, and other enriching opportunities along the way. The program culminates with a presentation in front of their peers, mentors, and LCGM staff.

An important goal of the LCGM Summer Program is to select students whose individual and collective experiences, interests, and backgrounds will contribute to the world of cell and gene therapy. We especially encourage students to apply who are from groups that are under-represented in the United States biotechnology workforce, including (but not limited to) students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, students who will be first generation college students, and women.

Selection decisions will be made in awareness of and in accordance with the June 29, 2023 Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. 

All participants in the LCGM Summer Program must meet and agree to the following:

• Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application

• Be a current undergraduate sophomore or junior enrolled in a four-year college or university

• Be pursuing a STEM discipline (all roles require a STEM background except Quality Assurance, which accepts both STEM and non-STEM majors)

• Be available to intern on-site for 8 hours per day, 5 days per week for the full 10-week program
• Participate in all program activities, including orientation, enrichment opportunities, and the final internship presentation
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Program Compensation: A $5,000 stipend will be issued upon successful completion of the program.

Housing: Please note that the program does not offer a housing allowance. Participants are encouraged to explore Stanford-affiliated summer housing options available here.