Eight-week summer instruction prepares students for careers in
science
PHOENIX, Ariz. - July 31, 2009 - Future leaders in science and
medicine graduated from an intense summer internship program today
from the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
The 44 members of the Helios Scholars Program at TGen wrapped up
eight weeks of investigations with a symposium of scientific
posters and discussions at Arizona State University's Walter
Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
This was the third year of TGen's Helios Scholars Program, funded
by the Helios Education Foundation, the largest philanthropic
foundation in Arizona and Florida solely focused on education. The
foundation has donated $6.5 million toward the Helios Scholars
Program at TGen.
This innovative program helps students from all backgrounds sharpen
their research skills as they prepare for careers in science or
medical fields. Selected from a competitive pool of applicants -
many at the top of their class - their backgrounds ranged from
bioengineering to business to international studies.
The program allows high school, undergraduate and graduate level
students, including those in medical school, to conduct independent
research in pursuit of scientific questions that they
formulate.
Under the guidance of research investigators - who provide
closely-supervised, one-on-one instruction - Helios Scholars use
cutting-edge technology to learn about the genetic causes of
diseases such as melanoma, prostate cancer, diabetes and
Alzheimer's disease.
To complete their internships, Helios Scholars presented their work
today (July 31) at a daylong symposium - one replicating a
real-world scientific conference - where they gave oral
presentations and displayed and explained scientific posters.
Past interns boast an array of impressive accomplishments -
publishing scientific abstracts, scientific articles, and
acceptance into medical and graduate schools. A remarkable 96
percent of interns have rated the Helios Scholars program
"excellent'' or "good,'' while 75 percent have credited the program
with playing a significant role in helping them secure
employment.
For more information about TGen or the internship program, visit
www.tgen.org/intern. TGen will begin accepting online applications
for next summer's Helios program in early 2010.
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About Helios Education Foundation
Helios Education Foundation is the largest philanthropic
organization serving Arizona and Florida focused solely on
education. The Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of
individuals in Arizona and Florida by creating opportunities for
success in postsecondary education and its community investments
are made across three impact areas: Early Childhood Education, the
Transition Years (grades 5-12) and Postsecondary Education. Since
inception in 2004, Helios Education Foundation has invested over
$62 million into education-related programs and initiatives in both
states. For more information, visit the Foundation online at
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 and click on
Education/Outreach; then click on Helios Scholars Program.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
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