For 20 years, Helios Scholars at TGen has demonstrated how early access to research labs, mentorship, and hands-on scientific experience can shape students’ career pathways while strengthening Arizona’s future healthcare and bioscience workforce. By allowing students to train alongside researchers tackling real-world health challenges, the program expands access to STEM careers while cultivating the next generation of talent committed to improving health outcomes.
In the last 20 years, there have been over 850 alumni, 21 of whom now work at TGen. The program is committed to aiding those in the underrepresented minority with opportunities to learn and grow within the bioscience space, with over 180 alumni identifying as URM. 95% of Alumni have self-reported that they are continuing in STEM-related fields.
Launched at TGen headquarters on the Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC), the Helios program places students inside one of Arizona’s fastest-growing centers for bioscience research and innovation.
The paid, eight‑week program at TGen embeds students within research teams, where they contribute to active projects in cancer biology, neuroscience, infectious disease, diabetes, computational genomics, and administrative roles. Scholars work directly with TGen investigators and executives, gaining practical skills, professional mentorship, and a clearer understanding of the inner workings of biomedical research.
What makes the program stand out is its focus on access and long‑term impact. Many participants come in unsure of their path; they leave with new confidence, new connections, and a better sense of where they want to go in STEM.
“Being pushed to think creatively and take on hard projects is incredibly rewarding, especially when you know the work might help a patient one day,” says Kam Leka, a 2019 and 2021 scholar who now works at TGen as a research associate. “That mix of challenge and purpose makes the experience meaningful.”
More than 850 alumni now work in the bioscience and healthcare sectors, a reflection of how effectively the program prepares students for the next step.
“Beyond the learning and discovery, what stays with you are the people,” says Josh Niska, M.D., a 2006 scholar from Gilbert, Arizona, working as a radiation oncologist. “You build real relationships with mentors and fellow interns who later become colleagues and friends. The experience brings people together from across the country to work side by side, and it gives you the chance to explore translational research and discover new interests.”
As Helios Scholars marks two decades, its story highlights how early research experiences can shape careers, strengthen the scientific workforce, and open doors for students who might not otherwise see themselves in these fields.
“I applaud this program and encourage our leaders who aspire to have more STEM and STEAM graduates to leverage models like this one, to pull together best practices from other successful models and work collaboratively to touch our young people early and often in a planned and orchestrated way,” PBC Executive Director, Scarlett Spring
Read more to learn how Helios Scholars at TGen has helped build Arizona’s next generation of biomedical innovators.
Media Contact
Galen Perry
602-343-8423
gperry@tgen.org
Collaboration by: Jocelyn Romero | June 4, 2026