OPALS Summer of 2023

Melinda

The projects, lab tours, and collaborative spirit among fellow students have all contributed to an unforgettable learning experience. I am excited to continue exploring this field and am confident that the skills and insights I’ve acquired will serve me well in my future endeavors.

Christian

OPALS has been extremely fulfilling and helpful for my future goals in STEM. I am now more excited than ever to pursue a career in this field thanks to you.

Jaren

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for the great OPALS experience I had over the summer. I know you put a lot of hard work and heart into making it a fruitful experience for me and all the students and it was very much appreciated.

Davin

I have started my school year for 2023-2024, but the fun memories of the summer program have not left me. I just want to express my deepest gratitude for your time and effort for making the OPALS program available to so many students and providing me with a unique and lasting experience at UCSD. This was the most time that I have ever spent away from my family and I’m grateful it has been under your guidance. Your program has taught me so much, not just on the scientific aspects of biophotonics, but also on the core values of communication and leadership.

Laya

First of all, I wanted to thank you for your leadership and dedication to the OPALS program. And for finding us great opportunities to talk with professionals in the scientific field and organizing lab visits so that spirited students like me can find our passions. OPALS was a great learning experience for me not only in terms of research but also learning soft skills that will help me in my future career. I thoroughly enjoyed this program, thank you once again!

Conner

The OPALS program is a large part of what made this last summer before I apply to college such a memorable time. Through it, I learned so much, had so many unique experiences, and made so many connections to peers and mentors that I otherwise would have never had. In no small part, I believe the success of this program can be credited to your enthusiasm for creating learning experiences for everyone, regardless of previous experiences.

Amina

I am writing to express my appreciation for all of your hard work and the opportunities you provided me with. I learned so much, starting with teamwork and networking, all the way to expanding my STEM field knowledge through my project and hearing from great professionals. This is the best experience I could have ever asked for.

Amanda

Words cannot fully express my appreciation for all that you've done for me. Your patience and determination are truly admirable, and you have given me the confidence to pursue my dreams with enthusiasm.Thank you for being an extraordinary director and for investing your time and energy into this program. I will forever cherish the experiences and knowledge gained under your guidance.

Izzy

I wanted to formally say thank you for all the effort you put into the OPALS program. I don’t think I can really describe how beneficial this was for me, with all the lab visits and hands-on practice, it really gave me a push in the right direction.