UCSB received a grant of more than $500,000 from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to improve existing and develop new technology and tools for stem cell research, the school announced on 12/16. There were 18 institutions that received 23 grants for a total of $19 million from CIRM, which was established in 2004 with the passage of Prop. 71.
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Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) on 12/12 received a $22,500 donation from Verizon Communications to help the school’s MESA (Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement) program, which attempts to make these fields of study more accessible to women, minorities, and the poor. Barbara Ben-Horin, CEO of the Foundation for SBCC, said the money has allowed the MESA program to stay afloat. (/sbcc1220)