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- Posted Friday July 26, 2013
TGen experience helps Helios Scholars prepare for future
Focused scientific internship helps build Arizona's biomedical workforce
PHOENIX, Ariz. - July 26, 2013 - Arizona's
future leaders in biology and medicine graduated today from one of
the nation's premier scientific internship programs, sponsored by
Helios Education Foundation and the Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen).
The 45 interns in the 2013 Helios Scholars at TGen summer
internship program completed eight weeks of biomedical
investigations and presented their findings at a daylong scientific
symposium July 26 at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel.
Under the mentorship of TGen researchers - who provide
one-on-one instruction - Helios Scholars use cutting-edge
technology to help discover the genetic causes of diseases such as
diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and cancer.
This is the seventh class of Helios Scholars at TGen, funded for
25 years by Helios Education Foundation. Helios is focused on
creating opportunities for individuals to succeed in postsecondary
education by advancing the academic preparedness of all students
and fostering a high-expectations, college-going culture in Arizona
and Florida.
"TGen's summer intern program is one of the premier examples of
how students can become immersed in the sciences and see a real
connection between the work they're doing in labs and future career
opportunities in the field," said Helios Education Foundation
President and CEO Paul Luna. "At Helios Education Foundation, we
believe in the transformational power of education. The Helios
Scholars at TGen program is helping prepare students for academic
success while potentially making scientific breakthroughs that
could improve the lives of future generations."
The program is open to high school, undergraduate and graduate
level students, including those in medical school.
"Our partnership with the Helios Education Foundation is helping
prepare a whole new generation of biomedical investigators for
Arizona," said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen's President and Research
Director. "We help them explore the biosciences beyond the
classroom, honing their skills through participating in potentially
life-changing research projects."
The internships help students from diverse backgrounds - selected
from a competitive pool of nearly 500 applicants - sharpen their
research skills as they prepare for careers in science and
medicine.
In addition to technical skills, students participate in
professional development seminars that broaden their knowledge and
skills in science communication, networking, career development,
business etiquette and public speaking. The ultimate goal of the
seminars is to produce savvy, polished future scientists and
physicians.
"Many of this year's Helios Scholars were born after the start of
the Human Genome Project," said Brandy Wells, TGen's Manager of
Science Education and Outreach. "These students of the genome-age
are torchbearers for future medical discoveries, based on a precise
understanding of the genetic underpinnings of human disease."
The program application opens in January of each year for the
following summer at www.tgen.org/intern.
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About Helios Education Foundation
Helios Education Foundation is focused on creating opportunities
for individuals to succeed in postsecondary education by advancing
the academic preparedness of all students and fostering a
high-expectations, college-going culture in Arizona and
Florida. The Foundation focuses its investments across the
education continuum in three key impact areas: Early Childhood
Education, the Transition Years and Postsecondary Success. 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 $130 million in
education-related programs and initiatives in Arizona and Florida.
As part of that, approximately $12 million has been invested in
STEM programs and initiatives. For more information about the
Foundation, visit www.helios.org.
Press Contact:
Rebecca Lindgren
Marketing Communications Director
Helios Education Foundation
602-381-2294
[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. For more
information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]