MMI partners with local Davis Joint Unified School District and King High School’s Career Technical Education program for learning experiences in laboratory safety and Valley Fever

The Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology within the School of Medicine, at the University of California, Davis, collaborated with the Davis Joint Unified School District and the California Career Technical Education (CTE) program to launch a transformative high school internship.

The ten-week internship featured BioSafety and Biosecurity Training, demonstrations of laboratory techniques and toolsets (e.g., Rainin sponsored pipette training), and an introduction to laboratory research, design, and equipment.

Through the Center for Valley Fever, student interns were immersed in the etiology and pathogenesis of Valley Fever and the resources and tools required for its clinical diagnosis. They contributed to a quality improvement data gathering project and material preparation in the clinical laboratory. Following the completion of the program on May 22, 2024, graduates were provided with a Certificate and Coat Ceremony.

One of the students commented ‘The most interesting thing I learned was understanding what lab work is. Initially, I was uncertain about pursuing a career in a lab, but now that I’ve experienced this program, it has opened new paths for me’. Another student commented that they enjoyed learning more about Valley Fever and how it is dominant on the West coast and how it spreads through fungus in the soil.

The program will relaunch in the 2024-25 academic year and continue to include a diverse array of students, including those from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM fields. Through the mentorship of faculty and staff from the Department of Medical Microbiology and the Center for Valley Fever, this initiative promises to provide exposure and hands-on experience, fostering future academic success and scientific interest.