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- Posted Thursday December 17, 2015
Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation funds promising students who study brain disease and disorders at TGen
Ivy Neurological Science Internship Program provides dedicated students committed to helping benefit brain cancer patients
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Dec. 17, 2015 - The Ivy Neurological Science Internship Program at theTranslational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is hosting five promising students for the 2015-16 academic year, sponsored by the Arizona-based Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation.
Now in its fourth year, the Ivy program offers hands-on biomedical research experience for high school, undergraduate and medical school students pursuing careers in brain tumor research, neuroscience and neurogenomics.
World-class scientific investigators at TGen mentor interns in the translational process of moving laboratory discoveries into new treatments for patients. Clinical training enables the interns to understand the ultimate focus of TGen's investigations - patients.
"The Ivy internships at TGen provide the exposure and additional training needed by a new generation of scientists to help solve the complex problems faced by patients with brain cancer," said Catherine Ivy, President of The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation. "This elite group of students will be called on one day to elevate brain research to a new level."
The program allows TGen to offer top students time in the laboratory to further develop their bioscience research skills. Students benefit from the immersive experience in scientific inquiry and the opportunity to take ownership of a patient-centered research project.
Marya Sabir, who has majored in Biochemistry at ASU and graduates in December (2015), is an aspiring medical school student who will defer one year of classroom studies to work full-time at TGen. She would like to pursue a M.D./Ph.D. degree.
"I would like to gain an enhanced understanding of the human organism particularly in the field of neurology, observe the intricate connection between scientific advances and bedside medicine, and examine a broad range of pathologies and understand their molecular underpinnings," said Sabir, who is mentored by Dr. Nhan Tran, head of TGen's Brain Tumor Unit. "The Ivy research experience allows me to work alongside expert scientists at TGen to advance clinical treatments for patients, and provide a foundation for me to connect textbook learning to cutting-edge research."
Two undergraduates are spending their 2015-16 academic year learning in TGen's Cancer and Cell Biology Division: Heather Sonnemann, a Senior at Arizona State University who is majoring in Biological Sciences with emphasis in Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology; and Nghia Millard, a Junior at ASU who is pursuing a double-major in Microbiology and Statistics.
"I like that I am able to spend all of my free time working in a lab that I love," said Sonnemann, who is being mentored at TGen by Dr. Tran and Dr. Alison Roos. She hopes to continue a career in brain tumor research.
"This program is great because it emphasizes the benefits that translational research gives to patients, and provide hands-on research experience in the context of ultimately helping patients," said Millard, who also is being mentored at TGen by Dr. Tran and Dr. Harshil Dhruv.
Millard plans to earn a Ph.D. in cancer biology or immunology, and because of his experience at TGen he wants to some day run his own research lab. "My goal is to develop ideas and contribute to scientific knowledge, as well as help develop treatments that can improve a patient's quality of life or even cure them of their disease," he said.
Two high-school students - Tristan Neal of Paradise Valley High School, and Talia Khan of Xavier College Preparatory - have already completed their 10-week summer internships.
"Through Catherine Ivy's vision and support, we are developing a local, highly-skilled workforce that will continue to push the boundaries of biomedical research," said TGen President Dr. Jeffrey Trent.
For more information, please contact Brandy Wells, Manager of TGen's Education and Outreach program, at [email protected] or 602-343-8655.
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About The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation
The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., was formed in 2005, when Ben Ivy lost his battle with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Since then, the Foundation has contributed more than $50 million to research in gliomas within the United States and Canada, with the goal of better diagnostics and treatments that offer long-term survival and a high quality of life for patients with brain tumors. The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation is the largest privately funded foundation of its kind in the United States. For more information, visit www.ivyfoundation.org.
Press Contact:
Beth McRae
The McRae Agency
480-990-0282
[email protected]
About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, and diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information, visit:www.tgen.org. Follow TGen on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @TGen.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
