HELIOS INVESTS $6.5 MILLION TO CULTIVATE NEW SCIENTIFIC TALENT IN ARIZONA

Arizona Governor Janet Naplitano and TGen's President and Scientific Director, Dr. Jeffrey Trent, joined Helios Education Foundation Chairman, Vince Roig, in announcing a $6.5 million investment by Helios in the 'Helios Scholars Program at TGen'. The gift, which will endow the innovative program for the next 25 years, was announced at a press conference at TGen on Tuesday, January 29, 2008. The goal of the program is to cultivate new scientific and technical talent across the state of Arizona.

"Helios Education Foundation’s commitment to develop a long-term partnership with TGen for student training is an incredible boost for Arizona’s future in the biosciences," said Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. "Arizona is poised to become a world leader in cutting-edge medical education and health care, but only if we provide the necessary training and mentorship. These types of public-private partnerships hold the key to what must be the central goal of an Arizona education: giving our students the skills they need to succeed in the high-tech, high-knowledge world of the 21st century."

Helios Education Foundation and the Translationsal Genomics Research Institute (TGen) started the unique internship program in 2007. Each summer, 45 high school, undergraduate and graduate students in Arizona are selected through a competitive process. Each intern receives a stipend, are paired with a TGen scientist/mentor and are actively engaged in research projects in areas such as cancer, diabetes, autism and Alzheimer’s disease. The eight-week program supports students from all backgrounds in their efforts to develop foundational skills as they pursue careers in science or medical-related fields.

This partnership with TGen is an example of Helios’ commitment to innovative programs and solutions within education. Helios strives to celebrate the successes and best practices which exist in education today, while exploring new ways to make the system better, more relevant and responsive to the rapidly changing needs of individuals and employers.

"We are excited to continue and expand our partnership with the Helios Education Foundation," said TGen president, Dr. Jeffrey Trent. "Our shared commitment to training the next generation of researchers provides an unparalleled opportunity for Arizona and those students seeking hands-on training to augment their classroom experience. For many of these students, this experience will prove to be a defining moment in focusing their career choices across the biosciences.”

Helios Scholars at TGen Press Conference Highlights

	Governor Janet Napolitano addresses press conference attendees and reporters, expressing her support of the Helios Scholars Program at TGen and its goal of increasing scientific and technical talent in Arizona.
	Daniel Salgado, an alumni of the Helios Scholars at TGen program, shares his perspective on the value of the program for aspiring scientists and medical students, and its positive impact on his life.
	Helios Scholars Naomi Campbell and Daniel Salgado, Governor Napolitano, Helios Chairman Vince Roig, and TGen's Dr. Jeffrey Trent, hold up the $6.5 million check which was presented to TGen by Helios during the January 29, 2008 press conference.
	Governor Janet Napolitano poses with a group of Helios Scholars alumni.