Can our genes help predict disease?
How a KEYS intern from Phoenix joined University of Arizona researchers studying a rare genetic disorder.
Kasyap Avancha (left), a 2026 KEYS intern from Arizona College Preparatory High School in Phoenix, and research scientist Tucker Hallmark (left) worked together on genetics research in the laboratory of Katharina Schimmel, assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.
Deanna Rodriguez, BIO5 Institute
Small changes in our genes can have big effects on our health. Katharina Schimmel and her research team study hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a rare genetic disorder that causes abnormal blood vessels to form throughout the body. Their goal is to identify the genetic changes that contribute to the disease and use that knowledge to guide future treatments.
This summer, 2026 KEYS intern Kasyap Avancha from Arizona College Preparatory High School joined the Phoenix cohort and worked with the research team of Schimmel, assistant professor at the College of Medicine – Phoenix and member of the BIO5 Institute, to investigate genetic variants that may increase the risk of malformed blood vessels forming in the brain.
Working alongside research scientist and mentor Tucker Hallmark, Avancha compared gene expression across the brain, lungs and liver to identify genetic variants that may contribute to HHT. The findings could help researchers explain why the disease affects some organs more than others.
Research scientist mentor Tucker Hallmark discusses graphs with Kasyap Avancha.
Deanna Rodriguez, BIO5 Institute
For Avancha, the most rewarding part of the summer wasn't learning new laboratory techniques, it was discovering that his ideas mattered.
"We get to talk about all of our thoughts on the project," said Avancha. "He also asked me for advice... and I got to put my input into some of the project."
Hallmark quickly realized Avancha wasn't just absorbing information—he was thinking like a researcher.
During one of their first conversations, Avancha proposed a possible treatment strategy for HHT. Without realizing it, Avancha had brought up an idea that matched a project already being investigated by a doctoral student in the lab.
"It was just super awesome to see," said Hallmark. "This early on, you're able to formulate this testable hypothesis."
For Hallmark, moments like that are exactly why mentoring matters.
"Training the next generation of scientists is essential," said Hallmark. "You really have to look at your own research from a different perspective."
By the end of the summer, Avancha contributed to research investigating the genetic causes of HHT. He also left with a broader view of the many careers that science can offer.
From left: Research scientist mentor Tucker Hallmark and Kasyap Avancha.
Deanna Rodriguez, BIO5 Institute