2022 Alumni
![Teacher with students in lab.](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/2022-09/2022_KEYS_slam.png?itok=tYEJroLD)
KEYS Slam
![KEYS Research Showcase Booklet.](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/2022-09/2022_KEYS_booklet.png?itok=vFkW9pbW)
Research Showcase Booklet
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/josephKEYS2022_1.png?itok=w7azXAMj)
High School: Sahuaro High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Arvinder Sandhu
Research Project: Polarization-dependent Efficiency of a Diffraction Grating
![High school student.](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-09/zahraaKEYS2022_0.png?itok=fODcc96e)
High School: Central High School
City: Phoenix
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alicia Allen
Research Project: Literature Review: Can Oxytocin Help Women Postpartum with Opioid Use Disorder?
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/gregoryKEYS2022_0.png?itok=fpu8gRUB)
High School: Basis Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nima Toosizadeh
Research Project: Assessing Frailty Through Heart Rate Complexity
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/vishruthKEYS2022.png?itok=bmuSDy10)
High School: Hamilton High School
City: Chandler
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jamie Edgin
Research Project: Estimating Hippocampal Subfield Volume in Typical and Atypical Youth
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/pranavKEYS2022.png?itok=huuPIURX)
High School: BASIS Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kirsten Limesand
Research Project: Determining Cell Proliferation and the Impact of YAP Following Irradiation
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/malcolmKEYS2022.png?itok=_oTXXUwT)
High School: University High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Meredith
Research Project: Water Harvesting and Soil Resilience
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/vinyasKEYS2022_0.png?itok=E7B7LAMW)
High School: BASIS Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Barton
Research Project: Effects of Saline Flush on Plicae Displacement in Fallopian Tubes
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/daveenaKEYS2022.png?itok=zl1fyL91)
High School: BASIS Oro Valley
City: Oro Valley
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Marty
Research Project: Interactions between Alpha-Synuclein Mutants Proteins and the Lipid Bilayer, and how GCG can affect this Interaction
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/savannahKEYS2022.png?itok=GbGmQ4DZ)
High School: Cibola High School
City: Yuma
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Meredith
Research Project: Observing the Relationship between Sphagnum Gas Exchange and Moisture Dynamics
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/weslyKEYS2022.png?itok=cqNH2dGr)
High School: Marana High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Craig Aspinwall
Research Project: Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy and Human Platelets
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/yashKEYS2022.png?itok=YZUDuCzF)
High School: BASIS Chandler
City: Chandler
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bonnie LaFleur
Research Project: Normal Cognitive Aging: Demographics and Predictors
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/rianaKEYS2022.png?itok=97oASuFZ)
High School: Mountain Ridge High School
City: Glendale
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alicia Allen
Research Project: A Review on the Impact of Caregiving Mechanisms on Postpartum-Induced Hormones Influencing Opioid use Disorder
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/abhinavKEYS2022.png?itok=pFAc2ncZ)
High School: BASIS Chandler
City: Chandler
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Travis Sawyer
Research Project: Machine Learning Detection of Abnormal Brunner's Glands in Duodenal Gastrinoma
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/carolKEYS2022.png?itok=Ww-h_6mX)
High School: Hamilton High School
City: Chandler
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Karnes
Research Project: Warfarin Pharmacogenomics in Hispanic & Latino Populations: A Candidate SNP Study
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/raiyanKEYS2022.png?itok=MlbRhh1l)
High School: BASIS Chandler
City: Chandler
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Vignesh Subbian
Research Project: Developing an Ontology to Model Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV2-2 Infection
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/erinKEYS2022.png?itok=K9KX013W)
High School: BASIS Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Teske
Research Project: Effect of Low Glycemic Index Potatoes on Blood Glucose and Weight Gain in Rats
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/momokoKEYS2022.png?itok=fqV0kCiG)
High School: Academy of Tucson High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas Gianetti
Research Project: Creation of Tethered Dual Photocatalysts
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/tejKEYS2022.png?itok=Q4QTbgrV)
High School: Paradise Valley High School
City: Phoenix
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bonnie LaFleur
Research Project: Use of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center Data to Examine Normative Cognitive Aging
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/jackKEYS2022.png?itok=YFRBLquW)
High School: University High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anna Dornhaus
Research Project: Search Tortuosity in Temnothorax rugatulus Ants When in Marked and Unmarked Territory
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/hannahKEYS2022.png?itok=2xRRzjSg)
High School: BASIS Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robin Polt
Research Project: Molecular Modeling Drug Design
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/benjaminKEYS2022.png?itok=8yf_dO9F)
High School: University High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Brown
Research Project: Modeling Rhodopsin Activation Utilizing Molecular Dynamics and Electronic Structure Methods
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/josephKEYS2022_3.png?itok=5XFPiq1-)
High School: Catalina Foothills High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Baltrus
Research Project: Genetically Proving Tailocin-Based Killings in E. Coli O157:H7
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/michelleKEYS2022.png?itok=hV-HslSG)
High School: Gilbert Classical Academy
City: Gilbert
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melanie Culver
Research Project: Genetic Relatedness of Threatened Northern Crested Caracaras (Caracara plancus)
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/andreaKEYS2022.png?itok=IqWxCVm_)
High School: Rio Rico High School
City: Rio Rico
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas Tomasiak
Research Project: Structural and Functional Analysis of CPS1: A Virulence Factor in Valley Fever
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/raiyanKEYS2022_0.png?itok=xHr8REyY)
High School: Catalina Foothills High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Jeong-Yeol Yoon
Research Project: Detecting Autofluorescence in Staphylococcus Bacteria Using a Smartphone-Based Device
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/alexanderKEYS2022.png?itok=3lTrflsq)
High School: Corona Del Sol High School
City: Tempe
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Minkyu Kim
Research Project: Determining Polymeric Hydrogel Microstructure Through Characterization of Polymer Thermoresponsiveness
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/gayatriKEYS2022.png?itok=70f68iMH)
High School: BASIS Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Teodora Georgieva
Research Project: De-mouse-tifying Valley Fever with CRISPR/Cas9
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/vasuKEYS2022_0.png?itok=FgZFpfLC)
High School: BASIS Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kaveh Laksari
Research Project: Analyzing Immediate Head Impact Response in MMA
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/michelle_kimKEYS2022_0.png?itok=roicDYmm)
High School: Gilbert Classical Academy
City: Gilbert
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Koenraad Van Doorslaer
Research Project: Rescuing a Minicircle Producing E. coli Bacterial Stock
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/keonaKEYS2022_.png?itok=PVmnqMl7)
High School: University High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nancy Horton
Research Project: Regulation of Glycolytic Enzymes Through Filamentation
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/snehaKEYS2022.png?itok=xsucy_Bd)
High School: Hamilton High School
City: Chandler
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gondy Leroy
Research Project: Analysis of Gender Bias in Autism Diagnosis Through DSM-4 Criteria and Natural Language Processing
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/aaronKEYS2022.png?itok=QSGuc6yf)
High School: University High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yitshak Zohar
Research Project: An Improved Prostate-on-a-Chip Model for Prostate Cancer Research
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/emma_leonKEYS2022.png?itok=UqQkQtRt)
High School: Sonoran Science Academy
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Schlenke
Research Project: How Does the Size and Amount of Wasp Eggs Affect How Wasps Reproduce
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/emma_leroyKEYS2022.png?itok=QY0eLVKa)
High School: University High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tyson Swetnam
Research Project: Improving Usability of Community Datasets in Google Earth Engine
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/alexKEYS2022.png?itok=hsRTZ42V)
High School: University High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Pascale Charest
Research Project: Studying the Interaction Between GPCR & G-Protein Subunits in Pico Level Using BRET2 Technology
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/reneeKEYS2022.png?itok=O-eedwnJ)
High School: BASIS Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Brown
Research Project: Modeling Rhodopsin Activation using Molecular Dynamics and Electronic Structure Methods
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/sophieKEYS2022.png?itok=wBl3TaLJ)
High School: BASIS Scottsdale
City: Scottsdale
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Pyun
Research Project: Characterization of Sulfenyl Chloride Polymer
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/byrdieKEYS2022.png?itok=jp2rohAe)
High School: Tanque Verde High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Wei Wang
Research Project: Efficacy of ARV-771 in Treating Senescent Cancer
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/zabdiKEYS2022.png?itok=7m1lONm6)
High School: BASIS Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Johnson
Research Project: The correlational study of cell density and optical density of two mutants and a wild type of Streptococcus pneumoniae
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/jaredKEYS2022.png?itok=unESvDZi)
High School: University High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Erika Eggers
Research Project: Retinal Microglia Morphology and Distribution in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet for 18 Weeks
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/joyeuseKEYS2022.png?itok=gTg-rDSo)
High School: BASIS Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. George Sutphin
Research Project: Arsenic Hormesis in Caenorhabditis Elegans
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/harlowKEYS2022.png?itok=0wNJFkn0)
High School: University High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Schaibley
Research Project: Fabrication of an hBN/CrI3/InSe/hBN Device
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/corinthianKEYS2022.png?itok=Qs0uwU5z)
High School: BASIS Oro Valley
City: Oro Valley
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jared Churko
Research Project: Studying ACM Through the Lense of Mouse Models and IPSCs
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/yashasKEYS2022.png?itok=0rUGIi8x)
High School: BASIS Chandler
City: Chandler
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gondy Leroy
Research Project: Analysis of Electronic Health Records to Explain the Gender Discrepancy in Autism Diagnosis
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/mariamKEYS2022.png?itok=bCNR4kqN)
High School: Salpointe Catholic High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Andrews
Research Project: Qualitative coding to find alternative treatments and medications for symptom management of EDS and hEDS
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/maritzaKEYS2022.png?itok=qdG8giwj)
High School: BASIS Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Malak Tfaily
Research Project: Isolation and Identification of the Semi-Arid Ecosystem Soil Bacteria of the Saguaro National Park during Pre-Monsoon Season
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/akhilKEYS2022.png?itok=2jQrM5S_)
High School: BASIS Peoria
City: Peoria
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Hammer
Research Project: Differential Expression of SCN8A in Human iPSC-Derived Neurons During Stages of Differentiation
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/sameerKEYS2022.png?itok=hiSamKcD)
High School: BASIS Oro Valley
City: Oro Valley
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Donna Zhang
Research Project: Determining the Structure of the DNA-binding Domain of NRF2
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/reevaKEYS2022.png?itok=9GbdghCv)
High School: BASIS Peoria
City: Peoria
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eli Chapman
Research Project: Developing an HSP70 Inhibitor to Treat Cancer
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/nathanielKEYS2022.png?itok=LWj6NKks)
High School: University High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jekan Thanga
Research Project: Slugbot
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/andrewKEYS2022.png?itok=6ykfzM8E)
High School: BASIS Tucson North
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Philipp Gutruf
Research Project: Characterizing Lifespan of Conformal Encapsulation for Implantable Devices
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/makenaKEYS2022.png?itok=4o2mA7aD)
High School: University High School
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stuart A. Craig
Research Project: The Efficacy of a Stainless Steel Probe with Teflon Adhesive at Detecting Dust Particles in a Hypersonic Wind Tunnel
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/yiyaoKEYS2022.png?itok=XRQJyuyZ)
High School: Sonoran Science Academy
City: Tucson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Zhongguo Xiong
Research Project: N Terminus of Pepino mosaic virus Capsid Protein Affect Host Range, Symptoms, and Infection Dynamics
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/shirleyKEYS2022.png?itok=20OXl8JH)
High School: BASIS Oro Valley
City: Oro Valley
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dongkyun Kang
Research Project: Cornea Movement Assessment
![High School student](/sites/default/files/styles/az_small/public/2022-10/brianKEYS2022.png?itok=dEn7sG74)
High School: Hamilton High School
City: Chandler
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Frank Duca
Research Project: Impact of Various Plant-Derived Fibers on Inflammation and Metabolic Homeostasis