KEYS alumni take their science beyond the lab at the 2025 AZBio Awards
Emerging scientists from the BIO5 Institute’s KEYS program showcase their research and passion for discovery at the annual event in Phoenix.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
On October 15, twenty-eight alumni from the BIO5 Institute’s KEYS Research Internship were selected to present their projects at the 2025 AZBIO Awards in Phoenix.
Hosted by the Arizona Bioindustry Association, the annual event celebrates leaders in Arizona's life science industry and gives aspiring innovators an opportunity to share their research in the Student Discovery Zone.
2025 KEYS alum Adrian Perez-Martinez (he/him) (second from left) accepts his award from Joan Koerber-Walker, President and CEO of AZBio, Eric Reiman, 2025 AZBio Pioneer Award for Lifetime Achievement, and Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, 2025 Arizona Bioscience Researcher of the Year.
Arizona Bioindustry Association
Several KEYS alumni received recognition for their work. Adrian Perez-Martinez (KEYS ‘25) placed third in the high school research category, and Jack Douglass (KEYS ‘22) earned third place in the university research category.
2022 KEYS alum Jack Douglass (he/him) (second from left) accepts his award from Joan Koerber-Walker, President and CEO of AZBio, Eric Reiman, 2025 AZBio Pioneer Award for Lifetime Achievement, and Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, 2025 Arizona Bioscience Researcher of the Year.
Arizona Bioindustry Association
Other KEYS alumni accepted to present were: Hibba Ahmed, Azani Anderson, Akaisha Bahrie, Anastasia Bradley, Aiden Crabtree, Sophie Gao, Ethan Hancey, Gracie Im-Pyun, Kapil Inguva, Ayana Jain, James Jirousek, Ashley Jo, Srihan Kondle, Heather Li, Arianna Malik, Brian Nguyen, Maanvik Poddar, Aleena Rafiyath, Ishaan Ranjan, Enrique Sanchez, Shyam Sathisan, Korey Schneider, AJ Shaffer, Saish Swamidurai, Sonia Swaroop, Aditya Tyagi, and Umaisa Urias.
We asked a few of the KEYS alumni about their research projects they presented and any next steps in their scientific journey.
Hibba Ahmed (KEYS ‘24) worked in the lab of Michael Brown, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and a BIO5 member at the University of Arizona.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
Hibba Ahmed, KEYS ‘25 (she/her)
“I worked in a biochemistry lab for KEYS,” said Hibba Ahmed (KEYS ‘24). “That means I got to study GPCRs or G protein-coupled receptors, which are proteins that are found in cell membranes. They’re involved in cell signaling and cell interaction.”
Through the Students Taking Advantage of Research (STAR) Lab at the University of Arizona, Ahmed is extending her KEYS project to explore new directions in her research.
Kapil Inguva (KEYS ‘25) worked in the lab of Nan-Kuei Chen, associate professor of biomedical engineering and BIO5 member at the University of Arizona.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
Kapil Inguva, KEYS ‘25 (he/him)
Kabil Inguva (KEYS ‘25) used fMRI, a neuroimaging technique, to look at how cerebral spinal fluid flowed through the brain for his internship project.
“Using the data and results that I found, this research is able to be applicable to insight into neuronal activity and the glymphatic system as a whole,” said Inguva. “It can potentially provide insight into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.”
Following his KEYS experience, Inguva remained engaged in this research area by reading related scientific articles and working with his mentor to explore new ways his project could be applied in future studies.
James Jirousek (KEYS ‘25) worked in the lab of Martha Hunter, professor of entomology and a BIO5 member at the University of Arizona.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
James Jirousek, KEYS ‘25 (he/they)
James Jirousek (KEYS ‘25) researched the leaf-footed bug and the bacterial symbionts that influence its development during his KEYS Research Internship.
“I’ve been continuing to research this on my own and getting ready to present it at different events, like AZBio, SARSEF, and the AZSci Awards,” said Jirousek. “I do miss working in the lab with people to mentor and guide me.”
Aleena Rafiyath (KEYS ‘24) worked in the lab of Jason Karnes, department head for Pharmacy Practice and Science at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy and BIO5 member at the University of Arizona.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
Aleena Rafiyath, KEYS ‘24 (she/her)
For her KEYS project, Aleena Rafiyath (KEYS ‘24) researched pharmacogenomics, exploring how genetic factors influence cardiovascular medicine. She continues to stay connected with the friends she made during the program as she builds on her scientific journey.
“After KEYS, I had the opportunity to work in STAR Lab in a new lab that grows into translational and regenerative medicine, where we’re looking at a new drug for effective wound healing,” said Rafiyath.
Shyam Sathisan (KEYS ‘25) in the lab of Teodora Georgieva, director of GEM Core at the BIO5 Institute and an assistant research professor at the University of Arizona.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
Shyam Sathisan, KEYS ‘25 (he/him)
For his KEYS research project, Shyam Sathisan (KEYS ‘25) studied a gene-editing method called CRISPR-Cas9, which uses an enzyme called Cas9 to cut DNA and employs viruses to deliver template DNA that cells use to repair themselves.
“I was testing which method would be best when both of these traditionally separate methods were combined,” said Sathisan. “I wanted to see which one would be the best at inducing a targeted point mutation in cancer, because cancer is a very genetically connected field, and it’s a very big problem.”
Following the KEYS program, Sathisan built on his summer research by conducting more detailed statistical analyses to better understand the clinical relevance of his findings.
Watching our KEYS alumni share their work and earn recognition at the AZBio Awards shows how the program inspires a love of science and helps these young researchers keep pushing discovery forward.
(Left to right) BIO5 Director, Vignesh Subbian, Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, 2025 Arizona Bioscience Researcher of the Year, and BIO5 member, Jennifer Barton.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
Ayana Jain (KEYS ‘25), who worked in Isabelle Schrauwen’s lab, presenting her research at the Student Discovery Zone.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
KEYS ‘25 alumni presenting their research at the 2025 AZBIO Awards in the Student Discovery Zone.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
Azani Anderson (KEYS ‘25), who worked in Alexander Bucksch’s lab, presenting their research at the Student Discovery Zone.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
(Left to right) Sophie Gao and Ashley Jo presenting their research.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
Ethan Hancey (KEYS ‘25), who worked in Travis Sawyer’s lab, presenting his research at the Student Discovery Zone.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute