Click here to apply online for the 2010 Helios Scholars Program.

Looking to get ahead of the competition this summer? Interested in the genetic origins of human disease and the laboratory technologies it takes to reveal them? If so, the Helios Scholars Program at TGen might be just what you’ve been looking for.

The Helios Scholars Program at TGen is a paid, eight-week biomedical summer internship open to Arizona high school, undergraduate, graduate and medical students. Interns develop foundational research skills through first-hand experience as they pursue careers in science or medical-related fields.

The program provides students with the opportunity to work under the mentorship of an experienced investigator, while working side-by-side with TGen researchers and their scientific teams. Students will work to elucidate the mysteries and mechanisms of genetic diseases such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, autism, breast cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma and diabetes, as well as infectious diseases such as influenza.

The program capstone includes participation in a formal symposium where interns communicate the findings of their research and reflect on what they have learned and accomplished throughout their tenure at TGen.

Past interns boast an array of impressive accomplishments – publishing scientific abstracts and articles, and gaining acceptance into medical and graduate schools. Here are two recent examples:

Sarah Albinda, a 2009 Helios Scholar, has been named to the 2010 Coca-Cola All-State Academic Team, earning a two-year tuition waiver that will enable her to complete her science education at Arizona State University. "There is no way I could have won without participating in the Helios Scholars Program at TGen. Here, I have so many resources available, and that gave me a significant advantage, including competitive hands-on experience and access to amazing people," said Albinda.

Josh Niska, a 2007 intern, has won a $7,500 national Goldwater Scholarship from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence In Education Foundation. Goldwater Scholarships are considered the nation's highest undergraduate award in science, math and engineering.

Helios Scholars videos

Check out these videos about the 2009 Helios Scholars Program at TGen produced by intern Matthew Chesin:

- ‘Documentary’ Video, including student commentary as they worked inside the TGen science labs

- ‘Music’ Video; This video is a small collection of vignettes set to music, designed to give you a look into the Helios Scholars Program Summer internship at TGen

- ‘Class of 2009 Thank You’ Video, a video montage of personal thank yous from the 2009 TGen Helios Scholars