Indian-American student Aryash Shyam has added another milestone to his growing list of accomplishments after being selected as the host of Teen Scientist, an award-winning monthly program on WDIY 88.1 FM, a National Public Radio affiliate serving Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. As a ninth-grade student with an impressive background in science and engineering, Shyam will lead conversations with renowned researchers while making advanced scientific topics accessible to younger audiences.
His debut episode, scheduled for August 6, will explore one of today’s most discussed educational topics—whether artificial intelligence is reshaping learning or simply making it easier for students to complete assignments. Through interviews with leading experts, the program aims to encourage thoughtful discussions about emerging technologies and their impact on education and society.
Despite his young age, Shyam has already built an impressive portfolio of scientific achievements. He developed a CRISPR-based diagnostic proposal designed for use in microgravity, earning recognition as one of only five recipients of the 2026 Junior Scientist Award through the Genes in Space program. His research demonstrated both scientific creativity and a strong interest in advancing biotechnology for future space missions.
In another notable project, he designed and programmed GreenBeam, an artificial intelligence-powered robot capable of identifying weeds and removing them with laser precision instead of chemical herbicides. The innovation received statewide recognition during the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge and attracted widespread attention for its practical environmental applications.
Shyam has also been honored with several prestigious academic awards, including the 2026 PETE&C Technology Student of the Year title, first place in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ national eighth-grade essay competition, and top mathematics honors at the 2026 Lehigh Valley Science and Engineering Research Fair.
Outside scientific research, he created Editing Humanity: A CRISPR Conundrum, a documentary exploring the ethical questions surrounding gene editing. He also produces educational STEM content focused on artificial intelligence, coding, mathematics, and science to encourage curiosity among students.
According to WDIY, Shyam brings a unique perspective because he actively participates in scientific research while interviewing internationally recognized experts from organizations and universities, including NASA, MIT, Stanford University, the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and Purdue University.
By combining firsthand research experience with engaging conversations, Teen Scientist seeks to inspire young people to see science as something they can contribute to today rather than a career they must wait until adulthood to pursue.
