Young Scientist Named Host of WDIY's Teen Scientist

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 4, 2026 | 3:15pm CT

Aryash Shyam

WDIY-FM in Allentown has named nationally recognized young scientist and inventor Aryash Shyam as the new host of its award-winning monthly program, Teen Scientist, giving the Bethlehem ninth-grader a platform to interview leading researchers while inspiring young people to explore science and technology.

Shyam's first episode will air Thursday, August 6, at 6pm, examining the growing role of artificial intelligence in education and asking whether AI is transforming learning or simply completing students' homework.

The appointment brings an unusual perspective to public radio. Before entering high school, Shyam had already developed a CRISPR-based diagnostic for use in spaceflight, built and programmed an AI-powered robot that identifies and eliminates weeds with laser precision, and produced an award-winning documentary exploring the ethics of gene editing.

In 2026, he was one of five recipients of the Genes in Space Junior Scientist Award for his proposal to validate a CRISPR fluorescent RNA diagnostic in microgravity. His AI-powered GreenBeam robot also earned Pennsylvania State Merit recognition in the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge and has been featured by multiple national and regional media outlets.

"Youth are often told that science is something we will get to do someday," Shyam said. "Teen Scientist begins with the opposite idea: we can ask serious questions, build real solutions, and contribute now. I want listeners to hear the uncertainty, creativity and persistence behind discovery, not just the finished answer."

The monthly 30-minute program features conversations with scientists and researchers from leading institutions, including MIT, NASA's Johnson Space Center, Stanford University, Purdue University, the University of Oxford and Imperial College London. Topics range from artificial intelligence and space biology to mathematics, sports engineering and astronomy.

"At WDIY, we believe public media should not only report on the future-it should help create it," said Executive Director Margaret McConnell. "Aryash represents exactly what public radio is meant to do: elevate curious, thoughtful voices, connect our community through meaningful conversations and inspire the next generation to ask big questions."

Since its debut, Teen Scientist has become one of WDIY's signature local programs, earning three Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Excellence in Broadcasting Awards and a 2024 Keystone Media Award for making cutting-edge science accessible to listeners of all ages.

Teen Scientist airs on the first Thursday of each month from 6-6:30pm on WDIY and is also available at WDIY.org and on major podcast platforms.