# News Item

**Source**: https://bsp.berkeley.edu/topics/news-item
**Parent**: https://bsp.berkeley.edu/news/uc-berkeley%E2%80%99s-biology-scholars-program-receives-80k-grant-enhance-study-groups

A particular piece of news, usually from a journalistic source. Like a blog post, news items are meant to show new information. News items are useful for giving service or event updates, reminding visitors about upcoming deadlines, or releasing stories or reports.

## [BSP CIRM COMPASS Scholar Maya Singh recounts her experience in the COMPASS program](/news/bsp-cirm-compass-scholar-maya-singh-recounts-her-experience-compass-program)

September 17, 2025

UC Berkeley Biology Scholars Program News

BSP CIRM COMPASS Scholar and recent UC Berkeley graduate **Maya Singh** shares how the COMPASS program has helped shape her identity as a researcher and future physician, in an article published by the **[California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)](https://blog.cirm.ca.gov/2025/08/27/cirm-compass-scholar-shares-how-program-helped-her-career-as-a-physician/)** in August 2025. In the article, she reflects, "CIRM’s COMPASS program has provided me with opportunities to connect to other areas of science and appreciate the...

- [Read more about BSP CIRM COMPASS Scholar Maya Singh recounts her experience in the COMPASS program](/news/bsp-cirm-compass-scholar-maya-singh-recounts-her-experience-compass-program "BSP CIRM COMPASS Scholar Maya Singh recounts her experience in the COMPASS program")

## [BSP COMPASS Scholars participate in Parkinson's Moving Day event](/news/bsp-compass-scholars-participate-parkinsons-moving-day-event)

May 21, 2025

UC Berkeley Biology Scholars Program News

BSP CIRM COMPASS Scholars **Maya Singh** and **Nathan Perez** volunteered at CIRM's outreach event in San Francisco for Parkinson's Moving Day in April 2025. Listen to Maya's interview (0:30) about the connections between her research and the community in [CIRM's video about the event](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUH8LaUAeWw) here. COMPASS mentor Isabela Ichihara de Barros is also featured in the video, speaking to the importance of funding stem cell research.

- [Read more about BSP COMPASS Scholars participate in Parkinson's Moving Day event](/news/bsp-compass-scholars-participate-parkinsons-moving-day-event "BSP COMPASS Scholars participate in Parkinson's Moving Day event")

## [UC Berkeley’s Biology Scholars Program Receives $80K Grant to Enhance Study Groups](/news/uc-berkeley%E2%80%99s-biology-scholars-program-receives-80k-grant-enhance-study-groups)

October 28, 2024

UC Berkeley Biology Scholars Program News

As part of a generous $25 million pledge to UC Berkeley, the Biology Scholars Program (BSP) has been awarded an $80,000 grant from the [**Berkeley Frontier Fund**](https://berkeleyfrontier.com/). This grant is dedicated to refreshing and enhancing the nine BSP Study Groups, which cover essential lower division courses for biology majors, the Foundations of Data Science course, and the Survey of the Principles of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology course.\
\
The funds will be utilized to develop innovative training protocols...

- [Read more about UC Berkeley’s Biology Scholars Program Receives $80K Grant to Enhance Study Groups](/news/uc-berkeley%E2%80%99s-biology-scholars-program-receives-80k-grant-enhance-study-groups "UC Berkeley’s Biology Scholars Program Receives $80K Grant to Enhance Study Groups")

## [BSP CIRM COMPASS Scholars attend inaugural CIRM Conference](/news/bsp-cirm-compass-scholars-attend-inaugural-cirm-conference)

September 6, 2024

UC Berkeley Biology Scholars Program News

This summer, BSP’s first cohort of [CIRM COMPASS](https://bsp.berkeley.edu/program-info/research-internship-experiences/compass-scholars-program) scholars marked the end of their first year by attending CIRM’s inaugural Trainee Networking Conference at the University of Southern California. Here, BSP COMPASS Scholars presented their research posters, participated in career development workshops, networked, witnessed stem cell therapy patient testimonials, and more. BSP Director & Co-Founder John Matsui, BSP Deputy...

- [Read more about BSP CIRM COMPASS Scholars attend inaugural CIRM Conference](/news/bsp-cirm-compass-scholars-attend-inaugural-cirm-conference "BSP CIRM COMPASS Scholars attend inaugural CIRM Conference")

## [BSP alum Dr. Juan Magaña pays it forward with outreach program](/news/bsp-alum-dr-juan-maga%C3%B1a-pays-it-forward-outreach-program)

June 1, 2023

UC Berkeley Biology Scholars Program News

BSP alumnus **Dr. Juan Magaña** (c/o 2007) was recently interviewed by Montage Health Foundation about his shadowing program, Minorities in Medicine, which outreaches to underrepresented students at community college and CSU Monterey Bay. Participating students are able to shadow doctors at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and spend time in the hospital environment. Dr. Magaña speaks about his motivation to return to his community as a physician and credits BSP as one of his inspirations in establishing the program. He says, "Minorities in Medicine...

- [Read more about BSP alum Dr. Juan Magaña pays it forward with outreach program](/news/bsp-alum-dr-juan-maga%C3%B1a-pays-it-forward-outreach-program "BSP alum Dr. Juan Magaña pays it forward with outreach program")

## [Dr. John Matsui to hold Distinguished Lecture at National Science Foundation](/news/dr-john-matsui-hold-distinguished-lecture-national-science-foundation)

August 3, 2023

UC Berkeley Biology Scholars Program News

**Dr. John Matsui**, BSP's Director and Co-Founder, will be holding a Distinguished Lecture at the National Science Foundation (NSF) titled "STEM Equity, ‘Good’ Mentoring, and the ‘Hidden Curriculum’" on August 10, 2023 from 12-1:30 pm. NSF highlights, "From his 30-years of work with UC Berkeley’s Biology Scholars Program, Dr. Matsui will share his insights about the selection and treatment of STEM talent and the role of equity programs to address underrepresentation in STEM." The lecture is sponsored by the Directorate for Biological...

- [Read more about Dr. John Matsui to hold Distinguished Lecture at National Science Foundation](/news/dr-john-matsui-hold-distinguished-lecture-national-science-foundation "Dr. John Matsui to hold Distinguished Lecture at National Science Foundation")

## [UC Berkeley’s Dr. John Matsui wins 2023 Pantheon Award from California Life Sciences](/news/uc-berkeley%E2%80%99s-dr-john-matsui-wins-2023-pantheon-award-california-life-sciences)

November 3, 2023

UC Berkeley Biology Scholars Program News

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – California Life Sciences (CLS), the state’s life sciences trade association, has awarded John Matsui, Ph.D., with the 2023 Pantheon Award for Inspiring Future Leaders. The award recognizes Matsui for his work leading the Biology Scholars Program, an undergraduate STEM equity program at UC Berkeley.

“Congratulations to John Matsui on his well-deserved Pantheon Award win,” said CLS CEO & President, Mike Guerra. “He’s a shining example of California's exceptional life sciences innovators and entrepreneurs. As we commemorate Pantheon’s 20th...

- [Read more about UC Berkeley’s Dr. John Matsui wins 2023 Pantheon Award from California Life Sciences](/news/uc-berkeley%E2%80%99s-dr-john-matsui-wins-2023-pantheon-award-california-life-sciences "UC Berkeley’s Dr. John Matsui wins 2023 Pantheon Award from California Life  Sciences")