This study showcases the intersection, implementation, and progress of various scientific topics utilized in the OPALS (outreach program for advanced learning in STEM) program at the University of California San Diego. Here, we describe the structure of the program from the application process to the training program. The program’s structure consisted of guest lectures led by professionals, tours of various research laboratories, medical institutes and biotech companies in southern California, small interactive group discussions to cultivate understanding, promote analysis, and advance development of assigned research projects that contributed to scientific research. We use a simple, layered mentoring setup: each team has a faculty or a project scientist, plus a college mentor and one or two OPALS alumni who have done the internship before. We meet weekly to review raw data, agree on next steps, and keep the work moving. Hands-on skills are taught in short modules—lab safety, imaging and ImageJ/Prism basics, simple statistics, and how to write and present—so students can collect data, make figures, explain results on their own by mid-session, and present their project and their take-away from the session during the closing ceremony. In 2025 with 38 total projects ranging from the use of a laser shockwave to study biological processes, the exploration of artificial food dye and artificial sweeteners on neuronal and cardiovascular systems, and the cellular consequences of utilizing treated wastewater in environments. Their work and findings stimulated genuine curiosity and interest in pursuing a career in STEM and for improving their communities. Through the OPALS program, students were nominated to give oral and poster presentations in various biomedical engineering conferences in Italy, France, Japan, and the US.
Hu et al. (Sun,) studied this question.