October 9, 2025

The Scintillon Research Institute’s 8th Annual SURE Program: Training and Inspiring the Scientists of Tomorrow

The summer of 2025 marked the eighth year of the Scintillon Institute’s highly selective SURE (Summer Research) Program. This immersive four-week experience empowers San Diego’s top high school and some college students to work alongside leading biomedical researchers. Designed to ignite curiosity and foster a deep passion for science, SURE provides unmatched hands-on exposure to cutting-edge biomedical research and authentic laboratory environments.

As in previous years, the applicant pool was very competitive, with only a few outstanding students selected. SURE alumni continue to succeed at the nation’s top universities, including Stanford, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Yale, Dartmouth, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UCSD, UC Santa Cruz, Boston College, Georgetown, and the University of Chicago, where many describe the program as a key moment in their academic paths. An increasing number have also moved on to internationally renowned institutions, such as the University of Cologne in Germany, to pursue graduate studies, showing the program’s growing global influence.

Daily Immersion in Real Science

Each morning, students attended lectures by Scintillon’s world-class faculty, exploring diverse biomedical fields such as cancer biology, aging, stem cell research, cell and structural biology, neurology and behavioral sciences, immunology, gene therapy, in vitro modeling, epigenetics, metabolism, and infectious diseases. These talks didn’t just present scientific facts; they showed how lab discoveries can lead to transformative therapies through the scientific method. Students left these sessions energized and inspired, imagining how they might one day make their own breakthroughs.

Afternoons were spent in the lab, where students collaborated with their mentors to perform real-world experiments. From pipetting techniques to molecular assays, this hands-on training offered participants a glimpse into the daily life of a biomedical researcher in a working lab. One student reflected, “This is nothing like reading about these assays in a book. This is hard work.” Another added, “This program confirmed for me that I want to pursue a career in biomedical research.”

A Community That Connects Across Generations

One of SURE’s biggest strengths is its expanding network of alumni. Every summer, former participants return for a day to connect with current students, share insights from their college experiences, and offer advice on admissions, coursework, and research opportunities. Many alumni credit these mentorships as crucial to their success in getting into highly competitive colleges. As one returning alumnus said, “The SURE program gave me the direction in biomedicine that I’m now pursuing at my university. I also loved returning to help the new students navigate the college admission process.”

Expanding Impact and Opportunities

Interest in SURE continues to grow, and this year was no different. We received more qualified applications than ever before. While we can’t admit every student, this demand highlights the vital role programs like SURE play in shaping the next generation of scientists. With additional support and resources, we plan to increase the number of students we can accept, ensuring more young minds have access to this potentially life-changing experience.

What Students Are Saying

“We learned the in-depth concepts behind our experiments, and how they connect to larger healthcare issues.”

“Hands-on work with science professionals on cells, proteins, and animals provided invaluable experience.”

“A very valuable part of the program was the morning lectures, where the faculty really gave us a complete picture of various fields and what we may want to do.”

“Experiences working in a lab and having responsibilities similar to a full-time job were a program highlight.”

“The most valuable part of the program was getting to do real hands-on experiments that can be applied to real life. Furthermore, the experiments with the mice were extremely interesting.”

“I wish we could go eight weeks!”

Support the Future of Science

The SURE Program thrives thanks to Scintillon’s dedicated faculty, who volunteer their time and lab resources, and the generosity of donors like you. With your support, we can continue offering this unique, immersive research experience and expand it to more students each year. Your tax-deductible donation directly funds lab experiences, mentorship, and educational opportunities for outstanding young scientists. With increased support, we plan to resume providing free tuition, ensuring access for all deserving students regardless of economic background. Major gifts can also help expand the program, acquire new equipment, and even create naming opportunities, leaving a lasting legacy for your family and the San Diego community.

Please donate today and support us in inspiring the next generation of scientific innovators.