Concentrations

Students may focus their studies further by choosing one of five concentrations.

• Translational Research Thesis

  The Translational Research Thesis concentration is designed to give students a panoramic perspective of the translation of a basic research idea into a pragmatic or advantageous product for the biopharmaceutical industry, academia, or healthcare fields.

  Why is Translational Research Important?

  Despite landmark breakthroughs in the fields of drug discovery development, there are tens of thousands of diseases without any treatments or cures. Translational scientists partner with interdisciplinary teams of pharmacists, bioinformaticists, engineers, and others by taking basic discoveries in disease causation and transforming them into new drugs, devices, and diagnostic interventions. Translational research allows scientists to utilize a “bench to bedside” perspective in the development of new medications, diagnostic tools, and treatment strategies.

  

   

  80-90% of drug development research projects fail before they get tested on humans.

  

   

  For every drug that ultimately receives approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, some 5,000 to 10,000 compounds don’t make it through the process.

  Why pursue the Translational Research Concentration?

  Translational Research Thesis concentration students participate in curriculum that is both diverse and interdisciplinary to prepare them to meet the demands of industry as well as areas of research deficit.

  Students will build a strong foundation for future careers and academic pursuits in:

  • Clinical or academic research laboratories
  • Biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries
  • Doctoral or professional degrees

  Past and current Translational Research Thesis concentration projects include:

  • Discovery of amodiaquine-mediated synthetic lethality
  • Rapid automated pathogen diagnosis and reporting
  • discovery and characterization of small-molecule inhibitors of peroxiredoxin asp f3 in aspergillus fumigatus
  • GWAS-identified variations and their role in colon cancer etiology
  • CNS drug delivery
  • Low-cost vaccines for diseases that are problematic in developing countries
  • Identification of specific pathogenic or environmental triggers causing autoimmune diseases
  • Red blood cell trafficking in brain endothelial cells
  • Point of care diagnosis of chlamydia trachomatis, neisseria gonorrhoeae, and dengue virus infections
  • Neuronal loss in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease

  

  Translational Research Thesis students will have the opportunity to conduct research at the USDA Western Regional Research Center within the following project areas:

  1. Produce Safety and Microbiology Research
  2. Healthy Processed Foods Research
  3. Crop Improvement and Genetics Research
  4. Bioproducts Research
  5. Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research
  6. Invasive Species and Pollinator Health
  7. Plant Gene Expression

  More information on the research project areas can be found on the USDA website.

  Our Faculty and Research Labs

  • Biomarker Research
  • Drug Discovery
  • Molecular Basis of Human Disease
  • Engineering, Medical Diagnostics, and Devices
  • Sociology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

  Course Offerings in the Translational Research Thesis Concentration – 15.0 units

  Students are required to identify their thesis capstone project site during their first year of studies and must commit to a minimum of 18 hours per week to work on their thesis.

  • ALS 495 Research Thesis Capstone – 12.0 units
  • ALS 481a Fundamental Papers in Applied Medicine – 1.5 units
  • ALS 481b Fundamental Papers in Applied Medicine – 1.5 units
• Clinical Research Thesis

  The Clinical Research Thesis concentration is designed to give students the ability to identify and problem solve healthcare-related issues, which in turn allows them to provide solutions in increasing healthcare access, improving patient outcomes, and other quality improvement needs.

  Students apply research methods learned to solve healthcare issues in our partner clinical sites. In partnership with COPE Health Solutions, KGI graduate students complete their Clinical Research Thesis projects within one or more of the hospital sites within the COPE Health Scholars program.

  

  Graduates of this concentration are uniquely positioned for future careers as medical researchers (clinical and academic), hospital administrators, or for the pursuit of doctoral studies or a medical or healthcare professional degrees. Students have the opportunity to conduct research in the areas of nosocomial infections, blood stewardship and usage, antibiotic stewardship, ICU cost control, staff performance, pain management, and case costs.

  Through this research project, students will actively engage in projects that align with their field of study and learn from their on-site advisor how to identify hospital and/or health system needs to provide solutions to address gaps in quality and patient outcomes. Students will be assisting in data collection and statistical analytics, as well as tracking progress of existing or pending hospital projects. Students will not be assisting with hands-on patient care or delivery, but instead gain exposure to various careers in healthcare by going participating in rounds with nurses, doctors, and/or hospital administrators to gather the necessary data for their focused project.

  Course Offerings in the Clinical Research Thesis Concentration – 16.5 units

  Students planning to pursue the Clinical Research Thesis concentration must apply to participate in the program through the KGI-COPE application website. One of the prerequisites to participate in the program is enrollment in the ALS 495: Research Thesis course by the end of May.

  • ALS 495 Research Thesis Capstone – 12.0 units
  • ALS 380 Medical Terminology – 3.0 units
  • ALS 480 Medical Harm Reduction – 1.5 units

  Students must dedicate a minimum of 18 hours/week to work on their thesis.

  Sample Project Topics

  Topic

  Sample Project

  Nosocomial Infections

  Nursing/Infection Prevention Departments

  Antibiotic Usage

  Antibiotic Stewardship Program

  Blood Usage

  Documented indication of every transfusion

  ICU Cost Control

  Ventilator weaning and associated ICU protocols

  Medical Staff

  Physician feedback on performance

  Pain Management

  Protocols/Patient-controlled analgesia

  Case Costing

  Analysis of components of high cost/high volume procedures

  Examples of hospital site placements

  • Adventist Health Bakersfield (AHBD) – Bakersfield, CA
  • Adventist Health Glendale (AHGL) – Glendale, CA
  • Adventist Health Simi Valley (AHSV) – Simi Valley, CA
  • Adventist Health White Memorial (AHWM) – East Los Angeles, CA
  • California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC) – Downtown Los Angeles, CA
  • Citrus Valley Health Partners (CVHP) – Covina, West Covina, and Glendora
  • Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian (Hoag) – Newport Beach, CA
  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine (KPI) – Irvine, CA
  • Kaiser Permanente Riverside (KPR) – Riverside, CA
  • Kaiser Permanente South Bay (KPSB) – Harbor City, CA
  • Riverside Community Hospital (RCH) – Downtown Riverside, CA
  • Francis Medical Center (SFMC) – Lynwood, CA
  • John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) – Oxnard & Camarillo
  • Joseph Hospital of Orange (SJO) – Orange, CA
  • Mary Medical Center (SMMC) – Long Beach, CA

  Clinical Research Thesis Requirements

  • Complete training on regulatory and compliance-related issues (HIPAA, emergency response protocols, codes, etc.)
  • Clear background check
  • On-site interview at clinical site
  • Proof of immunization/test records
  • Health screening
  • Proof of CPR certification
  • Proof of health insurance
• Public Health Research Thesis

  The Public Health Research Thesis concentration prepares students to examine public health issues through a science lens, blending lab work with global and community health issues.

  Why is Public Health Important?

  Public health initiatives improve the lives of millions worldwide through addressing not only immediate health crises, but also workig to prevent future illness and injury. Public health professionals work tirelessly to ensure the health of the population as a whole by examining the root causes of disease and how to affect change on a large scale.

  Areas of action and research in public health today include epigenetics, chronic disease, mental health, nutrition, and more.

  Why pursue the Public Health Research Concentration?

  Public Health Research concentration students participate in curriculum that builds their skills in the sciences and provides a strong foundation in public health principles.

  Students will build a strong foundation for future careers in:

  • National, state, and local government
  • National and local health agencies and departments
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Private health-based organizations and foundations
  • Research colleges and universities

  Graduates will be able to pursue numerous careers in public health, including:

  • Community health worker
  • Disease investigator
  • Environmental scientist
  • Epidemiologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Public health educator
  • Research analyst

  Our Partners in Public Health

  

  

  In partnership with California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), Public Health Research concentration students have the opportunity to conduct their thesis within the following projects:

  • Examining capacity of health professionals to address the needs of sexual and gender minorities
  • Determining the barriers the transgender population faces when seeking healthcare services
  • Efficacy of peer-based HIV education in improving condom use self-efficacy
  • Understanding of sexual consent knowledge and practice among college students
  • Mental health and substance use outcomes among college students
  • Examining the relationship of food security and college students
  • Complementary and integrative health modalities among minority populations
  • Factors related to hospital readmissions for inpatient stays
  • Factors related to multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) infections in emergency room visits
  • Program enhancement initiatives, analytics support, and partner engagement within the field of rare diseases

  Course Offerings in the Public Health Thesis Concentration – 15.0 units

  • Students are required to identify their thesis capstone project site during their first year of studies and must commit to a minimum of 18 hours per week to work on their thesis.
  • ALS 495 Research Thesis Capstone – 12.0 units
  • ALS 480 Medical Harm Reduction – 1.5 units
  • ALS 497 Independent Study [Basic Principles of Public Health] – 1.5 units
• Team Master's Project

  The Team Masters Project (TMP) concentration prepares students for working in cross-functional teams to work with sponsoring companies to solve real-life problems. The TMP ideally includes both business and technical aspects; for example, students may be asked to validate a new technology and to develop a strategy for market penetration of the technology. The actual deliverables for each TMP are negotiated by the student team and the company liaison.

  More information about TMP can be found here.

  Course Offerings in the TMP Concentration – 15.0 units

  • ALS 400 Team Master’s Project – 10.5 units
  • ALS 403 Team Master’s Project Management – 1.5 units
  • ALS 451 Organizational Behavior – 3.0 units
• Infectious Diseases

  Why pursue Infectious Diseases Concentration?

  The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated to the entire world the impact that infectious diseases can have on human health, communities, and the global economy. The MS Infectious Diseases concentration provides graduate-level training in the fundamentals of molecular and cellular biology, immunology, as well as basic, translational, and clinical aspects of infectious diseases caused by important pathogens.

  More specifically, the curriculum is designed to emphasize the biology of host-pathogen interactions, host immune response, pathology, evolution, transmission, laboratory methods, and epidemiology of infectious diseases. Students participate in classroom activities, online learning, and research experiences to cover the fundamentals of pathogenic agents and infectious diseases they cause. Infectious diseases concentration students are prepared to pursue doctoral degrees, or professional education focused on medicine and infectious disease.

  Course Offerings in the Translational Research Thesis Concentration is 15.0 units. The Infectious Diseases concentration will be offered in two options: Thesis and non-Thesis.

  Infectious Diseases Concentration (Option A)

  ALS 430a Advanced Pharmaceutical Discovery

  1.5 units

  ALS 430b Advanced Pharmaceutical Discovery Lab

  1.5 units

  ALS 430b Advanced Pharmaceutical Discovery Lab

  1.5 units

  ALS 488a Virology

  1.5 units

  ALS 489a Principles of Epidemiology

  1.5 units

  ALS 489b Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

  1.5 units

  ALS 493/ALS 497 Independent Research/Study

  6.0 units

  Total

  15.0 units

  Note: Students planning to pursue the Infectious Diseases Concentration must complete the Independent Research/Independent Study projects related to infectious diseases (drug discovery, medical devices, bioinformatics, the molecular basis of a disease, etc.). The MS program director must approve the projects. The Independent Research/Study students must give a literature mastery seminar during the Fall semester, participate in the KGI research symposium (poster, Spring semester), and submit a final report.

   

  Infectious Diseases Concentration (Option B)

  ALS 495 Research Thesis

  12.0 units

  ALS 488a Virology

  1.5 units

  ALS 488b Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

  1.5 units

  Total

  15.0 units

  Note: Students enrolled in the Infectious Diseases Concentration must work on the thesis project related to infectious diseases (drug discovery, medical devices, bioinformatics, the molecular basis of a disease, etc.). Students planning to pursue the Infectious Diseases Concentration are strongly recommended to enroll in Independent Research / Independent Study during their first year or complete a research project during the summer between the first and second years.