USC BRAIN program offers a second chance, with a path to a career in bioscience

Sometimes the way forward starts with a long look back. Just ask cancer neuroscientist Josh Neman, PhD.

Pondering the difficulties he and other investigators faced recruiting staff for their labs, Neman decided to do his part to address the issue. An idea stirred, inspired by his father’s professional mission — augmenting the workforce and improving lives by leading a nonprofit vocational school.

“They trained immigrants, people who came from all over the world, to be different types of technicians,” said Neman, associate professor of neurological surgery and of physiology and neuroscience at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “I used to go to work with him, and I saw the huge impact that retraining can have on people’s lives.”

From that impulse sprung the Biomedical Research Apprenticeship Initiative (BRAIN), a 12-month training program through the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. When Neman pitched the concept to USC Norris cancer center Director Caryn Lerman, PhD, she was more than enthusiastic. She had a suggestion: draw the talent pool from the Beacon House Association of San Pedro, a state-certified residential program emphasizing long-term rehabilitation for men seeking to overcome alcohol and drug addiction.

“As soon as she said that, I was like, ‘Of course!’” said Neman, who is also the scientific director of the USC Brain Tumor Center. “It’s a no-brainer — pardon the pun — to do this for folks who are looking for a second chance. USC has a tradition of giving back to its neighbors, and this is very much aligned with that thought process, but giving back to the greater community.”

Instilling laboratory skills — and cultivating the research mindset

In its first year, the BRAIN program hosted two interns from Beacon House, Matt Jacobo and Nick Soto.

Their training began with prerecorded online lectures from the Keck School of Medicine’s cancer biology and genomics PhD program, which Neman directs. The apprentices absorbed stringent instruction in lab safety before embarking on the core hands-on laboratory work in the curriculum. Building from the basics of handling pipettes and working with cell cultures, Jacobo and Soto picked up the full gamut of skills for a laboratory technician or research assistant.

Four days a week they worked closely with staff, postdoctoral scientists and graduate students. They rotated through labs led by Neman and by breast cancer researcher Evanthia Roussos Torres, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine and of biochemistry and molecular medicine at the Keck School of Medicine. That experiential learning was supplemented with attendance at weekly scientific and medical talks on campus.

Before too long, the interns had progressed from relatively rote tasks to contributing through small-scale self-directed projects. They would go on to produce scientific posters they presented at the USC Norris cancer center’s Cancer Research Day event in May.

“I always say, anybody can become a technician, but you learn to be a scientist by asking the right questions,” Neman said. “Our interns learned while they were doing the experiments, and started asking questions of their own.”

Taking hold of second chances, and what comes after

Both BRAIN program apprentices held aspirations in the health sciences earlier in their lives. Out of high school, Jacobo had explored health care careers, and Soto had parlayed a bachelor’s in biochemistry into work in anti-aging research, a field he left to become a stay-at-home dad for the better part of the last 15 years.

When they heard about the BRAIN program, they were eager to join — even though the possibilities were overwhelming.

“When an opportunity like this presents itself, it’s like a godsend. I’d never been to a university campus, much less one as world-renowned as USC. Being able to work side-by-side with these PhD students, doctors and physicians was a blessing.”

Matt Jacobo

“At first, I was kind of in awe that this opportunity was even possible,” Soto said. “I was grateful from day one.”

Jacobo said: “When an opportunity like this presents itself, it’s like a godsend. I’d never been to a university campus, much less one as world-renowned as USC. Being able to work side-by-side with these PhD students, doctors and physicians was a blessing.”

Their positive attitudes and stick-to-itiveness played a substantial role in carrying them through.

“For me, the big part was just being like a sponge, growing by asking a lot of questions, doing what I was asked, and being okay with making mistakes,” Jacobo said. “People were more than willing to explain things and give me the tools to succeed.”

Indeed, the interns express appreciation for the mentorship and encouragement from a long list of names in Neman’s and Roussos Torres’ research teams, with lab tech Brooke Nakamura from the Neman lab being the first to come to mind for both.

“A lot of people helped us, but right off the bat, I think of Brooke because she was the first person who started teaching us everything,” Jacobo said. “Any questions we’ve had, she’s had the answers — even up till today. She has been instrumental.”

Soto said: “Everyone I’ve encountered has been totally supportive. I wouldn’t be where I am without the help I got from all of them.”

The apprentices collected certificates on July 18 as a culmination of the BRAIN program’s initial run. They’re now at the start of their new careers in science, albeit not too far afield; based on their training, Jacobo and Soto have been offered positions as research assistants working for Roussos Torres and Neman, respectively.

“Starting work at USC is huge for me. “It also means a lot for my four children. It really gives them hope.”

Nick Soto

“They turned out to be stellar recruits,” Neman said. “They are now bona fide scientists. Based on what they’ve done, I’ve told them they should even consider the goal of going to grad school.”

For his part, Neman draws a great deal of satisfaction from continuing in his father’s footsteps of creating second chances.

“It’s very powerful to see someone succeed,” he said. “By studying cancer, they’re not only picking up their lives, but also giving back to humanity.”

Along those lines, Soto and Jacobo look forward to offering guidance to the next cohort of interns. They’ve experienced firsthand the difference that the BRAIN program can make.

“Starting work at USC is huge for me,” Soto said. “It also means a lot for my four children. It really gives them hope.”

Having gone from lab neophyte to professional scientist, Jacobo aims to share a personal lesson with anyone who needs to hear it.

“I just want to tell people, don’t doubt yourself with the opportunities you’re given,” he said. “There’s always hope. You can always do something today that will help you in the future.”