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December 13, 2002/Tevet 8 5763, Vol. 55, No. 16
Teen pursues dream in neuroscience
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
Ari Lewine
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When most boys are asked what they want to be when they grow up, they tend to give typical answers - a police officer, a pro football player, or perhaps an ambitious boy may even plan to become a doctor. Not Ari Lewine. According to Lewine, he has wanted to be a neuroscientist since he was 11 years old.
Now the 14-year-old sophomore from the Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School has taken a giant step toward achieving that goal. He has been selected to participate in the Scientific Enrichment Program for Students at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.
Top science students at the Valley's high schools are nominated by their teachers to apply for this program. After a rigorous application and interview process, Lewine was one of six students selected to work one-on-one with a Barrow's scientist over the next three years.
Lewine will be working with Dr. Steve Henderson at the Center for Transitional NeuroRe-habilitation - first doing general lab work, cleaning glassware, computer work and filing, and eventually assisting with research and patients.
"There are many programs like being a volunteer at a hospital that are helping out, but this ... incorporates both helping the community and research," he explains.
He says he's thrilled to be working in the field of neuropsy-chology.
"This is what I've always wanted to do - this exact subject area because I took a psychology course over the summer and I became very interested," he explains.
The program requires students to work at least four-six hours per week in the laboratory.
Lewine, the son of Edith and Steven Lewine, moved to Paradise Valley with his family seven months ago from Sedona, so he could obtain a Jewish education.
In his spare time, Lewine says he enjoys playing golf and tennis. He played tennis competitively until his busy schedule no longer allowed it, but he does say he tries to keep his life balanced.
"I make sure the weekends are still open and I make sure it doesn't interfere with any social or academic life."
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