Nik Dave has worked in Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute since he was a sophomore in high school. So when offered the opportunity to attend ASU with a full-ride scholarship, the decision was an easy one.
The Horizon Honors senior was one of 22 high school students from the state of Arizona to receive the prestigious Flinn Scholarship, which has been valued at more than $120,000 this year.
The Flinn Scholarship aims to encourage the state's best students to attend either ASU, Northern Arizona University or the University of Arizona. Included are eight semesters of undergraduate tuition and fees, room and board, a three-week summer seminar in China, mentorship from top faculty and much more. Thirteen of this year's honorees have chosen to attend ASU.
“I really liked the fast-paced learning environment that ASU offers," Dave said. "Everyone there has a forward-thinking, innovative mindset. I'm looking forward to fully exploring all of the opportunities available to me there."
Dave, who has already been working with Professor Salvatore Oddo in the Biodesign Institute, plans on double majoring in neuroscience and biological sciences.
“I've been doing neuroscience research at ASU for three years now," Dave said. "Hopefully I can take an entrepreneurial approach to science after graduating from ASU."
Barrett Honors a big draw
Kelli Brown, a senior at Dobson High School in Mesa, thought long and hard about where she would continue her education.
Ultimately, the Flinn recipient decided to stay in the Valley. Barrett, The Honors College at ASU was a big reason why.
“The immersive program that Barrett had to offer really drew me to ASU," Brown said. "I decided that Phoenix and its surrounding cities offered me a lot of opportunities to explore different fields while I figure out what kind of job I want after graduation."
Brown and the other scholarship winners were chosen from a record-high group of 881 applicants in 2018. The typical Flinn Scholar achieves at least a 3.5 grade-point average, ranks in the top 5 percent of her or his class and demonstrates exceptional leadership in extracurricular activities.
Brown will be majoring in global health and plans to go all over the world in an effort to help as many people as possible.
“I want to work in areas greatly affected by infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria and Zika and work to come up with solutions to eradicate those diseases," she said. "The long-term goal is to make a healthier human populaton overall."
ASU's 2018 Flinn Scholars:
- Nikhil “Nik” Dave, Horizon Honors Secondary School
- Kelli Brown, Dobson High School
- Evangeline “Angie” Taylor-Hermes, Parker High School
- Christopher Hernandez Salinas, Coronado High School
- Troy Gilchrist, Arizona College Prep Erie Campus
- Elizabeth “Lee” Chiffelle, Bioscience High School
- Nicolette “Nikki” Barton, Winslow High School
- Lauren Paxton, Pinnacle High School
- Waris Anderson, Tucson Magnet High School
- Elena Boyd, Chandler Preparatory Academy
- Griffin Fletcher, Brophy College Preparatory
- Nancy Twishime, Bioscience High School
- Hale “Anna” Espinoza, Veritas Prep
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