Intense 8-week internship helps build Arizona's future biomedical workforce
July 27, 2012
As the Olympics begin today, Arizona's future leaders in biology
and medicine will spring from scientific starting blocks at the
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
The 45 interns in the Helios Scholars Program at TGen will
complete eight weeks of scientific investigations with a daylong
symposium today at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.
Under the mentorship of TGen researchers - who provide one-on-one
instruction - Helios Scholars use leading-edge technology to help
discover the genetic causes of diseases such as diabetes,
Alzheimer's disease and many types of cancer.
This is the sixth year of TGen's Helios Scholars program, funded
for 25 years through a $6.5 million grant from Helios Education
Foundation. Helios is focused on creating a high-expectations,
college-going culture in Arizona and Florida by investing in
initiatives that improve education at all stages of the continuum
and create opportunities where all students are prepared to attend
and succeed in postsecondary education.
"TGen's summer intern program is a prime example of why Helios
believes in the transformational power of education and in the
importance of creating opportunities for student success," said
Helios Education Foundation President and CEO Paul Luna. "Helios
Scholars at TGen get a head start in advancing their professional
goals in a hands-on program. At the same time, they are potentially
making breakthroughs that could benefit actual patients."
TGen's Helios Scholars Program is open to high school,
undergraduate and graduate level students, including those in
medical school.
"Our collaboration with the Helios Education Foundation is helping
prepare a new generation of scientific investigators for Arizona,"
said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen's President and Scientific Director.
"We enable them to explore the biosciences beyond the classroom,
engaging their research skills through critical work in
state-of-the-art laboratories."
The internships help students from all backgrounds - selected from
a competitive pool of applicants - sharpen their research skills as
they prepare for careers in science and medicine.
"TGen's cultivation of the scientific interests of these students
is an investment in Arizona's future. We're enhancing the skill
sets they will need to succeed in today's high-tech,
knowledge-based economy," said Brandy Wells, TGen's Education and
Outreach Specialist. "It is amazing what these students have been
able to accomplish in such a short time."
TGen's past summer interns boast an array of impressive
accomplishments, including publishing scientific abstracts and
peer-reviewed articles, gaining acceptance into medical and
graduate school and winning scholarships and prizes.
The application for next year's Helios program opens in January
2013. For more information about TGen and the internship program,
visit www.tgen.org/intern.
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About Helios Education Foundation
Helios Education Foundation is focused on creating a
high-expectations, college-going culture in Arizona and Florida by
investing in initiatives that create opportunities for
postsecondary education success. The Foundation focuses its
investments across the education continuum in three key impact
areas: Early Childhood Education, the Transition Years (Grades
5-12) and Postsecondary Scholarships. As an engaged foundation,
embedded in communities across both states, the Foundation is
contributing its leadership, expertise and financial resources to
better prepare students to succeed academically and to compete in a
globally competitive economy. Since 2006, Helios has invested over
$115 million in education-related programs and initiatives in
Arizona and Florida. For more information about the Foundation,
visit here.
Press Contact:
Israel Barajas
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Helios Education Foundation
Office: 602-381-2281
Mobile: 602-999-9786
[email protected]
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About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated
with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
