KEYS Alumni among 2025 Flinn Scholarship Finalists
Four KEYS alumni are among the 36 Arizona high school seniors to advance to the final stage of the 2025 Flinn Scholarship selection process.
From left to right: Adam Bedir, Katherine Lam, Jishnu Nayak, and Avery-Shalom Valencia are KEYS alumni who are 2025 Flinn Scholar finalists.
KEYS alumni had strong showing for this year’s Flinn Scholarship through the Flinn Foundation, which recognizes high school students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and a strong commitment to community service and leadership.
Finalists undergo a rigorous selection process, including multiple rounds of interviews. Valued at more than $135,000, the Flinn Scholarship covers tuition, fees, housing, and meals at one of Arizona’s public universities, plus study abroad. Each year, 20 top Arizona high school seniors are chosen. Winners will be announced in April 2025.
Meet the four KEYS finalists below and learn more about their journeys.
Meet the 2025 Flinn Scholarship Finalists
Adam Bedeir (KEYS ‘23)
Adam Bedir (left) receives his certificate at the KEYS Research Showcase in 2023.
Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Phoenix, Adam Bedeir has always been passionate about biology. His experiences as a medical assistant at Apex Vein and Vascular Institute, volunteer with Project CURE, and researcher at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix highlight his dedication to the medical field.
Currently, Bedeir works under Alexander Niculescu, professor of psychiatry at the U of A College of Medicine - Phoenix, using AI to improve the diagnosis of psychological diseases.
Bedeir sees the Flinn Scholarship as an opportunity to be part of a community of scholars, alumni, and mentors who inspire one another. He is excited to use his passion for biology to make a difference in medicine and research.
Katherine Lam (KEYS ‘23)
Katherine Lam (left) during KEYS biotechnology training week.
A senior at University High School, Katherine Lam is an avid scientist, literature enthusiast, and figure skater. She co-leads her school's Science Olympiad team and International Humanitarian Law initiatives while working to improve accessibility in Tucson’s figure skating community.
KEYS played a pivotal role in nurturing her passion for research, which she continues at the University of Arizona Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the lab of Thomas Gianetti.
To Lam, being a Flinn Scholar is about education as a form of service, and she hopes to use her platform to uplift Arizona’s communities.
Jishnu Nayak (KEYS ‘24)
Jishnu Nayak (left) stands with his mentor Anya Burtman during his KEYS Research Internship experience.
A senior at Arizona College Preparatory High School, Jishnu Nayak is a passionate learner with diverse interests ranging from geography to anatomy. He is actively involved in Science Fair as well as Speech and Debate, where he enjoys collaborating with others and exploring new ideas.
As he completes his final semester of high school, Nayak is excited about his last Speech and Debate tournaments while cherishing time with his family before heading to college.
For Nayak, being a Flinn Scholarship Finalist represents leadership, change, and collaboration. He believes in empowering others to take initiative and drive meaningful change in the world. To him, this recognition serves as a reminder to pursue his dreams, embrace uncertainty, and shape the future through collaboration.
Avery-Shalom Valencia (KEYS ‘23)
Avery-Shalom Valencia (far right) stands with her lab at the University of Arizona Collaboratory for Metabolic Disease Prevention & Treatment.
A proud member of the Pasqua Yaqui Tribe and Mexican community, Avery-Shalom Valencia is a senior at Pueblo High School. She plans to study cultural psychology with a focus on global health and Native American studies.
As president of her Tribal Youth Council, she organizes community events, service projects, and research initiatives that preserve and promote the Hiaki language. She is also conducting a research project under the Native American Science and Engineering Program to evaluate the effectiveness of gamified learning tools in language acquisition.
For Valencia, the Flinn Scholarship represents a commitment to education, community service, and making a lasting impact.
Additionally, seven other KEYS alumni were recognized as semi-finalists for the 2025 Flinn Scholarship, demonstrating the strength of the KEYS community in fostering future scholars and innovators:
- Diya Bhattacharya (KEYS ‘23)
- Abhiram Chervu (KEYS ‘24)
- Nishita Karikatti (KEYS ‘24)
- Mallory O'Brien (KEYS ‘24)
- Erin Ortiz (KEYS ‘24)
- Klarissa Stiff (KEYS ‘24)
- Lucy Waddell (KEYS ‘24)
We are so proud of our alumni as our program to inspire and support young scientists. We look forward to seeing the incredible contributions these students will make in their fields and communities.