Chandler student, Mountain Ridge team win Brain Bee

On Feb. 5, Midwestern University in Glendale welcomed top high school students for the 27th Annual Arizona Regional Brain Bee, an educational competition similar to a spelling bee that focuses on neuroscience.

The 2025 Arizona Regional Brain Bee at Midwestern University was presented in partnership with the BHHS Legacy Foundation. This bee featured 75 students from 21 Arizona high schools testing their knowledge of the human brain, how it governs human behavior, and the science that helps medical professionals understand brain function.

The event final lasted for 30 rounds.

Top three finishers, in order, were Samarth Dunakhe (sophomore, Arizona College Prep High School, Chandler); Pranati Chintada (senior, BASIS Chandler); and Vishnusri Murthy (senior, Mountain Ridge High School, Glendale). Samarth is eligible to compete at the 2025 U.S.A. National Brain Bee this spring at Rutgers University, with Midwestern offsetting the travel, hotel, and food costs.

Mountain Ridge High School was recognized as the overall highest-scoring team for the event, as well as having the most students (19) in competition.

Midwestern University student volunteers served as judges, question readers, timers, and scorekeepers at all stages of the event.

“The competition is so much fun, with every competitor being super supportive, and I learned a lot about neuroscience and the brain,” stated Pranati, who finished second overall for the second straight year, in a press release.

Arizona Regional Brain Bee is funded by generous financial support from BHHS Legacy Foundation, an Arizona organization whose philanthropic mission is to enhance the quality of life and health.