Dr. Keasling continues to lead the iCLEM program launched by the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) in the summer of 2008. In this program, 8 economically disadvantaged students from all of the bay area including Hayward, San Leandro, Oakland and Berkeley are chosen to spend a 10-week period at JBEI. The students work alongside two high-school teachers, 2 UCB undergraduate teaching assistants and four scientific JBEI advisors on research projects relevant to the bioenergy field. Students are taught basic skills in microbiology and molecular biology and are further mentored in resume writing and college preparation. After the program, students give a presentation about their research experience to friends, family and JBEI staff. Most students are ethnic minorities; all are economically disadvantaged. Approximately 95% of the students go on to college.