Outreach
Unique perspectives facilitate scientific research and the Constantinides Lab promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion by participating in outreach at all career levels. Our outreach activities are described below and were recently highlighted in the Scripps Research Magazine.
REsearch Awareness for Community High schools (REACH)
To foster interest in biomedical research among high school students, Mike initiated and organizes the REACH program. The “outREACH” component involves Scripps Research faculty and trainees venturing out to local public high schools to describe their career paths and current research. This is followed by the “in Reach” component, where students are welcomed into Scripps Research for Science Saturday, which is a day of lab tours, hands-on demonstrations, and additional presentations. Students are also invited to participate in laboratory research through a 7-week summer internship program, during which they’re paired with graduate student mentors who teach them experimental design, techniques, and data interpretation, as well as guide them through the college application process. The Constantinides Lab hosted Morse High School student Jillian Alcasid during the summer of 2024.
Schools visited in 2024: Barrio Logan College Institute, Hilltop High School, Hoover High School, Lincoln High School, Morse High School
Future Leaders of Immunology Symposium
Mike organizes an annual symposium of highly accomplished postdoctoral fellows from underrepresented groups in science, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and immigrants. This platform amplifies the exposure of participants prior to applying for faculty positions and offers presentation practice in advance of interviews.
North County San Diego Professional & Interdisciplinary Research Enrichment (NSPIRE)
NSPIRE is a partnership between Scripps Research and CSU San Marcos, MiraCosta College, and Palomar College. Participants from these predominantly undergraduate institutions receive feedback on the summer research they completed at Scripps and learn about our graduate program and the projects our PhD students are pursuing. Mike co-organizes the annual symposium and members of the Constantinides Lab present their research and serve as peer mentors.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF)
The SURF program provides 10-week summer research internships to students from underrepresented groups in science. In addition to conducting experiments, participants attend weekly career development seminars and present their research at a poster session. The Constantinides Lab has hosted multiple students through this program, including Pamil Tamelessio (2024), Cassidy Saunar (2023), and Eli Murguia (2022).
Summer Program Application Mentorship (SPAM)
Members of the Constantinides Lab participate in the SPAM program, which assists undergraduates from underrepresented groups identify summer research programs and draft competitive applications.
Learn, Experiment, Analyze and Discuss Research (LEADR)
Through the LEADR program, members of the Constantinides Lab discuss recent research publications with community college students, explaining concepts and experimental approaches to facilitate their understanding of current biomedical research.
Biology Undergraduate and Master's Mentorship Program (BUMMP) at UCSD
Members of the Constantinides Lab mentor undergraduate and master’s students from underrepresented groups, assisting them with career planning and teaching them about their research.