Another major role of the Center is the training of new scientists. Annually, the Center mentors a dozen or more undergraduate and graduate students. Each student has a specific project that is a part of the over-all aim of characterizing adult stromal cells or evaluating their potential for treatment of diseases.
Students have regular mentoring meetings, as well as regular seminars and journal club.
In addition, the Center conducts an active program for postdoctoral fellows. Over the years, over 15 former students and postdoctoral fellows mentored by Dr. Prockop or his associates have become heads of their own departments. The Center is dedicated to continuing this tradition. In addition, the Center is planning open house forums and other programs to provide opportunities to inform local citizens about recent progress in gene therapy.