8-week internship strengthens biomedical education
PHOENIX, Ariz. - July 28, 2011 - Tomorrow's leaders in science and
medicine graduate Friday from the biomedical summer internship
program at the Translational Genomics Research Institute
(TGen).
The 45 interns in the Helios Scholars Program at TGen wrap up eight
weeks of scientific investigations July 29 with a daylong symposium
filled with oral and poster presentations at the Sheraton Phoenix
Downtown Hotel.
"Helios Scholars at TGen receive a highly unique hands-on
experience into real-life biomedical discovery. This program
significantly engages their research abilities and helps prepare a
new generation of scientific investigators for Arizona," said Dr.
Jeffrey Trent, TGen's President and Research
Director.
This is the fifth year of the program, funded through a $6.5
million grant from Helios Education Foundation, the largest
philanthropic foundation in Arizona focused solely on
education.
This innovative program allows high school, undergraduate and
graduate level students, including those in medical school, to get
hands-on research access in a first-class biomedical
laboratory.
"The Helios Scholars Program at TGen provides an unique opportunity
for Arizona students, from many different backgrounds, to work side
by side with TGen scientists and develop foundational research
skills through first-hand experience," said Helios Education
Foundation President and CEO Paul Luna. "Our strategic partnership
with TGen lets our scholars explore the biosciences by taking them
beyond the classroom and into state-of-the-art laboratories where
their work in cutting edge translational genomics research becomes
an invaluable part of their educational experience."
Under the guidance of TGen research faculty - who provide closely
supervised, one-on-one instruction - Helios Scholars use
cutting-edge technology to learn about the genetic causes of
diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and many types of
cancer.
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 or medicine.
"It is inspiring to see the growth achieved by these students in
just eight weeks," said Brandy Wells, TGen's Education and Outreach
Specialist. "They emerge from the program with a skill set that
prepares them for the challenges of biomedical research."
Past interns boast an array of impressive accomplishments,
including published scientific abstracts and scientific papers, top
national student rankings, acceptance into first-rate graduate and
medical schools, and national awards and scholarships.
The application for next year's Helios program opens in early 2012.
For more information about TGen or the internship program, visit
www.tgen.org/intern.
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About Helios Education Foundation
Helios Education Foundation is a philanthropic organization serving
Arizona and Florida focused solely on education. The Foundation is
dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals and families in
both states by creating opportunities for postsecondary education
success. Helios' community investments are made across three impact
areas: Early Childhood Education, the Transition Years (Grades
5-12) and Postsecondary Scholarships, and since 2006, the
Foundation has invested close to $100 million in education-related
programs and initiatives in Arizona and Florida. For more
information about Helios Education Foundation, visit
www.helios.org.
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]