ARCS® Foundation Atlanta Chapter was honored with the 2025 Golden Helix Award for Community Service by Georgia Life Sciences. The award was presented on August 26 at the Georgia Life Sciences Summit, held at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, and accepted by Frances Swensson, President of ARCS Atlanta.
In presenting the award, Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, said, “ARCS Atlanta’s steadfast commitment to advancing science, research, and innovation through support of emerging scholars aligns deeply with our mission to foster a healthier, more informed future. Their impact in our community is both measurable and inspiring.”
The Golden Helix Awards recognize excellence and achievement in Georgia’s life sciences sector, celebrating individuals, companies, and institutions whose contributions drive scientific discovery, health innovation, and economic growth. This year’s winners were announced during the Summit’s welcome reception and awards ceremony, attended by leaders from industry, academia, and government. To read the full press release, please visit: https://atlanta.arcsfoundation.org/news/arcs%C2%AE-foundation-atlanta-chapter-honored-advancing-georgia%E2%80%99s-bioscience-talent-pipeline
Thanks from Alum Collette Miller, Postdoctoral Fellow at US Environmental Protection Agency
"Thank you all for reaching out and the support over the years. It's been a rocky few years following the passing of my doctoral research mentor a few weeks prior to my dissertation defense. Trying to rebound from his loss, finishing my dissertation, and figuring out where to go from there was challenging to say the least ... Thank you again for your support. Honestly I did not know how much I would have ended up relying on the generous gift that the Atlanta Chapter of ARCS Foundation provided when it was first received. However, it was vital in helping me launch a new chapter in my career when I found my plans collapse when my mentor passed. Again, THANK YOU!"
Thanks from Alum Courtney Pollard, III, MD, PhD, MedStar Harbor Hospital, Baltimore
Let me start by saying how thankful I am for being selected as an ARCS scholar. I consider it one of my greatest achievements thus far and I am immensely proud to count myself as one of the amazing group of students that your organization selected to receive this award. I want you ladies to know you are doing an outstanding job! You all are embarked on a truly altruistic endeavor and it is my fervent prayer that this organization thrives for years to come.
Thanks from Alum Alejandro Toriella, PhD, Assistant Professor, Industrial Engineering, Georgia Tech
Thank you very much for your support. It meant a lot. I had the opportunity to return to Tech as a faculty member last year. I’m very happy to be back and hope I can advise a future ARCS scholar soon!