Photo Gallery: KEYS alumni and staff shine at 2024 AZBio Awards
A record number of KEYS alumni presented their research as the biosciences community recognized Kelle Hyland for her outstanding leadership in science outreach and education.
KEYS alumni and staff gather to celebrate Kelle Hyland for her award at the 2024 AZBio Awards at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Deanna Rodriguez, BIO5 Institute
Forty-six KEYS alumni were accepted to present their research at the 2024 AZBio Awards on September 18. The annual event by the Arizona Bioindustry Association in Phoenix celebrates Arizona life science industry leaders and provides a platform for aspiring innovators to share their research.
This year was an extra special celebration as Kelle Hyland, program manager of outreach and engagement, received the 2024 AZBio Bioscience Educator of the Year for her leadership of the BIO5 Institute’s KEYS Research Internship.
KEYS alumni presented their research in the Student Discovery Zone with the potential to win scholarships towards education. Three alumni swept the high school research category, taking the top three prizes. 2024 alumni Euzebie De Montfort (she/her) and CJ Terrell (they/them) took first and second place, respectively, and 2023 alum Diya Bhattacharya (she/her) took third place.
"It makes us elated to have so many KEYS alumni valuing the opportunity to present their research to the Arizona bioscience community,” said Hyland. “This is a wonderful event for students to share their passion for research and communicate the knowledge they have gained by participating in projects that will better humanity."
Other KEYS alumni accepted to present were: Athena Allred, Afzal Ariff, Gabrielle Reese Bermeo, Abhiram Chervu, Soleil Chung, Logan Curley, Diego Del Villar, Jenny Dong, Ryan Duan, Camila Garcia Amezquita, Sophia Glenn, Swanuja Godasi, Stephy Hein, Andrea Hernández Piña, Kristy Hudgins, Emily Huynh, Eugene Jap, Katelyn Jennings, Adhip Justhy, Nishita Karikatti, Akshita Khanna, Braydon Kim, Sophie Li, Benite Luhando, Julia Meindl, Brandon Mokhtarian, Jishnu Nayak, Pasque Nelson, Tara Nukala, Mallory O'Brien, Erin Ortiz, Mateo Pimienta, Eva Luz Pombo, Aleena Rafiyath, Sadie Schwartz, Makeen Shafer, Faiza Shah, Brian Stevenson, Klarissa Stiff, Maria Sunisha Sunil, Sonia Swaroop, Aamuktha Tirupati, and Darren Yong.
We asked the three award winners to reflect on the impact of their KEYS Research Internship experience.
Euzebie De Montfort (1st Place, High School Research)
Euzebie De Montfort is a senior at The Gregory School and worked as a 2024 KEYS intern in the lab of Michael Taylor, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry and BIO5 member at the University of Arizona.
“The internship was a surreal experience and meant so much to me. I met incredible people in our cohort of students, and along with the crew and staff, it created an incredible environment of encouragement. One of my favorite moments during my KEYS Research Internship was a student planned potluck that ended lasting over three hours because we were having so much fun chatting. It really showed me how strong and supportive the research community can be!”
CJ Terrell (2nd Place, High School Research)
CJ Terrell is a senior at University High School and worked as a 2024 KEYS intern in the lab of Martha Hunter, professor of entomology and BIO5 member at the University of Arizona.
“KEYS has been vital to improving my confidence. I’ve noticed that I’m better at advocating for myself and using leadership skills for group projects during my last year of high school. Plus, the opportunities to make connections, like sharing my research at the AZBio Awards."
Diya Bhattacharya (3rd Place, High School Research)
Diya Bhattacharya is a senior at Basis Tucson North and worked as a 2023 KEYS intern in the lab of Anita Koshy, assistant professor of neurology and immunobiology and BIO5 member at the University of Arizona.
“As a 15-year-old, the KEYS Research Internship was my first major research opportunity and it changed my life. I’m continuing to do research, and I plan to continue into the future as I apply to college."
Photo Gallery
KEYS alumni (left to right) Kristy Hudgins, Julia Meindl, Stephy Hein, Athena Allred, and Benite Luhando pose with second place winner in the high school category CJ Terrell (center, green shirt) after they received their award.
Kelle Hyland, program manager of outreach and engagement for the BIO5 Institute’s KEYS Research Internship, talks with Eugene Jap (left) and Jenny Dong (right) about their research.
KEYS alum Camila Garcia Amezquita discusses her poster during the Student Discovery Zone at the 2024 AZ Bio Awards.
KEYS staff (left to right) Robyn Pratt, outreach and engagement specialist and Jordan Pilch, outreach instructional specialist, celebrate Kelle Hyland (center) for her 2024 AZBio Bioscience Educator of the Year award.
Sophie Li was a KEYS intern in 2022 and returned as KEYS Crew in 2024 to mentor high school students during their internship experience.