Outreach
The Constantinides Lab participates in the outreach activities described below, which 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 the REACH program in 2024, which he continues to organize. For the “outREACH” component, Scripps Research faculty and trainees visit public high schools and describe their career paths and current research. This is followed by the “in Reach” component, where students are welcomed to 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 2026: Barrio Logan College Institute, Crawford High School, Del Lago Academy, Escondido High School, Hilltop High School, Hoover High School, Lincoln High School, Madison High School, Morse High School, and Orange Glen High School
Science Saturday: March 7, 2026
Summer internship: June 22 - August 7, 2026 – Application
Future Leaders of Immunology Symposium
Mike organizes a virtual symposium of talented postdoctoral fellows to amplify their accomplishments and qualifications for faculty positions.
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 undergraduates. In addition to conducting experiments, participants attend weekly career development seminars and present their research at an institute-wide 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 helps undergraduates 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, assisting them with career planning and teaching them about their research.