The Problem:

Methamphetamine addiction is a public health crisis in California, especially in the Inland Empire. This dangerous drug is causing untold harm, leading to high rates of overdose and death. Despite the severity of the issue, effective treatments are still hard to come by, and relapse rates are troublingly high. The need for innovative research to find new ways to combat this addiction has never been more urgent.

Our Goal:

We aim to identify biological markers in the blood that can tell us how well treatments for methamphetamine addiction are working. By finding these markers, we hope to improve how we manage and treat this devastating addiction.

Why This Matters:

Our research, led by students from the California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM) in partnership with the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, is at the forefront of medical science and compassionate care. By focusing on the Inland Empire, where methamphetamine abuse is rampant, we hope to reduce the burden of addiction on our community and, ultimately, society as a whole.

This research not only aims to find new ways to treat addiction but also empowers our students with the skills they need to become the next generation of healthcare leaders. By developing new tools to assess treatment effectiveness, we are paving the way for more personalized and effective care for those battling addiction.

Our Approach:

We are using cutting-edge technology to study biological markers in the blood that are linked to methamphetamine addiction. This non-invasive method could revolutionize how we monitor and treat addiction, offering new hope to those struggling with this disease.

How Your Donation Can Make a Difference:

Your generous donation of $100,000 or more will be crucial in advancing this groundbreaking research. It will directly fund the sophisticated equipment and technology needed to identify these biological markers. Your support will also help recruit participants and analyze the data, turning our research findings into real-world solutions.
By investing in this research, you are not only helping to address a critical health issue in the Inland Empire but also contributing to a global shift in how addiction is managed and treated.

Funding Level: $100,000+

For more information, please contact Dr. Peter Eveland
Peter.Eveland@cusm.edu; 909-954-350

Fund a Laser Confocal Microscope for CUSM

At the forefront of cancer research, the team at CUSM utilizes cutting-edge cell culture systems to delve deep into the molecular mechanisms driving cancer progression. A critical tool in our arsenal, the Laser Confocal Microscope, stands out for its unparalleled ability to produce crystal-clear images of cancer cells and tissues. This technology allows for the detailed analysis of thin sections from thicker samples, significantly reducing background noise and minimizing distractions from out-of-focus areas.

The Laser Confocal Microscope surpasses traditional microscopy by avoiding the artifacts typically introduced during physical sectioning and fluorescent staining. Its non-invasive optical sectioning capability not only preserves the integrity of both living and fixed specimens but also enhances image clarity under various conditions. This is crucial for our ongoing studies and for validating our findings, as confocal microscopic images are increasingly preferred in scientific publications over those from traditional fluorescent microscopy.

By funding a Laser Confocal Microscope for our lab, you will be directly contributing to pivotal cancer research, aiding in the discovery of key cellular behaviors and potentially life-saving therapies. Join us in this vital endeavor to unlock new insights into cancer, ultimately leading to better diagnostic and treatment options. Your support can make a tangible difference in advancing our understanding and combating this devastating disease.

Funding Needed: $320,000

Dr. Hani Atamna, Professor of Biochemistry and Neuroscience, is at the forefront of tackling Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a complex neurodegenerative condition currently affecting 6.7 million Americans. With projections indicating a rise to nearly 13 million by 2050, and a staggering potential cost of nearly $1 trillion, the urgency for breakthroughs in treatment and early detection cannot be overstated.

Understanding the Magnitude of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's Disease disproportionately impacts older adults and is more prevalent among women and racial minorities, with Black Americans and Hispanics facing significantly higher risks. The socioeconomic implications are profound, especially within communities like San Bernardino (SB) and Inland Empire (IE), where lower socioeconomic status correlates with an increased dementia risk.

Strategic Research Goals at CUSM

Dr. Atamna’s laboratory is dedicated to identifying new therapeutic targets and prevention strategies that could revolutionize our approach to Alzheimer’s and brain aging. This research is critical not only for meeting CUSM's mission but also for directly benefiting the diverse, aging population of SB and IE.

How Donors Make a Difference

Your support will catapult CUSM into a leading role in brain aging research. With an investment of $500,000 for Dr. Atamna’s project, we aim to transition from cultured neurons to studies directly involving the brain:

• Resources for Breakthroughs: Your contributions will fund crucial research components such as Alzheimer's and control mouse brains, human hippocampi autopsies, and cutting-edge instruments like Seahorse-XF and Axion Biosystems Maestro Edge.
• Support for Vital Research Roles: This funding will also provide essential support for dedicated research associates, further empowering our mission to unlock Alzheimer’s secrets.

Project Impact and Donor Engagement

By investing in this project, you are not just funding research; you are investing in the potential for groundbreaking discoveries that pave the way for healthier aging and reduced risk of age-related disorders. Each donation brings us closer to preventative measures and treatments that could one day eradicate this devastating disease.

The Office of Accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement (OACQI) plays a pivotal role at CUSM by ensuring the institution retains its accreditation and the authority to operate in California. This critical function allows CUSM to deliver high-quality medical education and serve the community effectively. Without this, CUSM would be unable to operate, impacting both students and the community relying on its services.

Innovative Solutions for Enhancing Educational Quality

To maintain accreditation, OACQI regularly conducts student satisfaction surveys, gathering feedback from over 500 students multiple times a year. These surveys are integral to our continuous improvement strategy, helping us identify strengths and areas for enhancement across our programs.

However, processing and summarizing the voluminous narrative feedback from these surveys is a significant challenge. With new funding, we aim to implement advanced AI tools, like ChatGPT, to analyze and summarize this feedback efficiently. This technology will not only streamline our processes but also ensure we capture the nuanced insights students provide.

Transformative Impact of Donations

By donating to support the integration of AI services, you will enable our staff to swiftly process student feedback, allowing them to dedicate more time to implement meaningful changes rather than manually sorting through hundreds of comments. This shift will speed up our response times and enhance our ability to make data-driven decisions that directly benefit our students and faculty.

Your Contribution: A Catalyst for Educational Excellence

Investing in AI technology for OACQI is not just about adopting new tools—it's about enhancing the educational landscape at CUSM and ensuring we remain at the forefront of medical education innovation. Your support will help us leverage cutting-edge technology to better serve our students and, by extension, our community.

Funding Needed: $1,000 annually

At the California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM), we are committed to tackling some of the most pressing health challenges facing our communities, especially within the Inland Empire (IE). Our research is at the forefront of addressing significant healthcare disparities, particularly in the areas of breast cancer and the long-term effects of COVID-19. We invite you to participate in this transformative journey by supporting our vital research efforts.

Why Your Support Matters

Dr. Jun Ling, a nationally recognized Professor of Biochemistry, Immunology, and Medical Education at CUSM, leads pioneering research projects that focus on two critical areas: understanding the complexities of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and exploring therapeutic strategies for the neurological complications of long COVID. These health issues disproportionately impact the Inland Empire, where the incidence rates are alarmingly high, and the clinical outcomes vary widely.

Your donation can make a profound impact by helping us overcome one of our biggest challenges—funding. Increased financial support is crucial for acquiring the technical expertise, materials, instruments, and services necessary to advance our research. With your help, we can accelerate our work, bringing us closer to groundbreaking discoveries that will benefit not only the IE community but also set new standards in healthcare globally.

The Unique Impact of Your Gift

Supporting Dr. Ling's research will directly benefit local communities by enhancing our ability to provide specialized consultations, conduct essential experiments, and offer solutions to complex cancer and COVID-19-related health issues. The lab’s technical strengths in protein bioengineering, gene expression analysis, cell signaling, and advanced diagnostic techniques uniquely position us to lead in these fields and support broader biotech and pharmaceutical efforts within the region.

Moreover, your generosity will bridge the funding gap, enabling us to expand our research capabilities and increase our chances of securing additional grants. This support will not only propel our current studies forward but also help establish a sustainable research program at CUSM that continues to innovate and address the evolving healthcare needs of the community.

Join Us in Making a Difference

We are not just conducting research; we are building a foundation for a healthier future. By contributing to our efforts, you are helping to alleviate the significant healthcare burdens in the Inland Empire and beyond. Your gift will enable us to deliver on our mission of improving medical education, advancing clinical services, and ultimately saving lives through science.

We invite you to partner with us in this important work. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of those affected by breast cancer, Long COVID, and other critical health challenges.

Donate Today

Your support is crucial to our success. Please consider making a donation to help us continue this life-changing work. Every dollar makes a difference in our pursuit of innovative healthcare solutions.

Thank you for your generosity and commitment to a healthier future.

Funding needed: $50,000 to$100,000 a year for two years.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact:

Dr. Peter Eveland

Executive Vice Dean for University Relations and Admissions

Peter.Eveland@cusm.edu

(909) 954-3502