Two KEYS alumni among 2025 Flinn Scholars
Adam Bedeir (KEYS ‘23) and Jishnu Nayak (KEYS ‘24) have earned one of Arizona’s most prestigious academic honors for high school students and will be attending the University of Arizona in fall 2025.
Adam Bedeir (left) and Jishnu Nayak (right) are 2025 Flinn Scholars.
Two alumni of the BIO5 Institute’s KEYS Research Internship have been named 2025 Flinn Scholars.
Adam Bedeir and Jishnu Nayak are among 20 students selected statewide for the highly competitive scholarship, which provides over $135,000 in funding, including tuition, housing, and opportunities for international study and research to attend one of Arizona’s three state universities.
KEYS had a strong showing for the 40th class of Flinn Scholars, with four alumni becoming finalists, including Bedeir, Nayak, Katherine Lam (KEYS ‘23), and Avery-Shalom Valencia (KEYS ‘23).
Along with the two KEYS alumni, eight other scholars will attend the University of Arizona and enroll in the W.A. Franke Honors College.
For both Bedeir and Nayak, their early exposure to university-level research during KEYS helped them in their journey to become Flinn Scholars and attend the University of Arizona.
Adam Bedeir (KEYS '23): From curiosity to aspiring medical student
For Bedeir, being named a Flinn Scholar was both a personal and community-driven milestone.
“I felt really excited, not just because all the effort writing essays and preparing interviews paid off, but because it’s incredibly meaningful to join a community like the Flinn Scholars program, which truly takes pride in making Arizona a better place,” Bedeir, a high school graduate from Basis Phoenix.
A 2023 KEYS intern, Bedeir’s dedication to research, volunteering, and medical work made him a standout candidate. His current research with psychiatry professor Alexander Niculescu at College of Medicine – Phoenix involving using AI to improve psychological diagnoses is one of many projects he’s taken on to serve his Arizona community.
“Prior to the KEYS Research Internship, I had only a vague idea of what the science world looked like,” said Bedeir. “KEYS helped me understand what research is all about and got me more excited about science than ever before. It feels incredibly meaningful to join a community like the Flinn Scholars, which truly takes pride in making Arizona a better place.”
Bedeir will major in physiology and medical science at the College of Medicine – Tucson. He is also part of the Accelerated Pathway to Medical Education (APME) program, which allows select undergraduate students to earn a medical degree in seven years, and plans to pursue a career in medicine.
He encourages future KEYS students applying for the Flinn Scholarship to stay curious and deeply engaged with their interests.
“There are so many fascinating fields of science to get involved in. KEYS makes it easier to explore those and discover what really drives you,” said Bedeir.
Jishnu Nayak (KEYS '24): A path to purpose and public impact
2024 KEYS alum Nayak graduated from Arizona College Prep this spring and found out about his selection while walking to his car with friends after school.
“I was both surprised and elated. Amidst all of my college decisions, it was incredibly exciting to know that I had gotten one of my top choices,” said Nayak.
Nayak stood out in the Flinn Scholar process for his broad interdisciplinary involvement, ranging from speech and debate, to geography competitions, to research in neurology, pharmacology, and model organisms.
His research during KEYS on medication overuse headaches in the lab of Tally Largent-Milnes, an associate professor of pharmacology in the College of Medicine – Tucson, reinforced his interest in combining scientific inquiry with social impact.
“The KEYS Internship was one of my most formative experiences,” said Nayak. “It brought together so many of my interests and made me realize that the University of Arizona was an excellent fit because of its welcoming faculty and rich opportunities.”
Jishnu plans to major in physiology at the U of A, potentially double majoring in public health, with a minor in health and human values. Inspired by his love for culture and geography, he hopes to bridge science with public service to address healthcare disparities.
“My dream is to become a physician who improves global health and helps eliminate healthcare inequities in our communities,” said Nayak.
He advises future applicants to reflect on their journey holistically.
“Use all your experiences, including KEYS, to craft a broader narrative about who you are. That’s what helps the Flinn Foundation see you beyond your resume.”
KEYS as a launchpad
Both students emphasized the importance of staying engaged with science, developing leadership, and using KEYS as a launchpad to explore Arizona’s research landscape.
As members of the 2025 Flinn Scholarship class, Bedeir and Nayak will continue to pursue their dreams while representing the power of early research experiences through the KEYS Internship.