Early Life and Education
Born in San Diego, California, Aya Hala Aryan moved to Fresno, where she attended Clovis North High School From a young age, she demonstrated an avid interest in science and the environment, excelling in her studies and earning a place on the Principal's Honor Roll. Her dedication to academics earned her a spot in the top 5% of her graduating class, with an impressive GPA of 4 6 Aya’s educational journey led her to Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City, where she began her studies in 2021. At Barnard, she has maintained a 3.7 GPA and remained consistent on the Dean's List.
In addition to her studies at Barnard, Aya’s academic journey has taken her abroad. In 2022, she participated in a study abroad program in Perugia, Italy, which allowed her to immerse herself in Italian language and culture The following year, she broadened her academic horizons further by participating in an intensive study abroad program in Bermuda, focusing on marine ecology and Environmental Science
Research Experience and Contributions
Aya’s academic interests quickly became valuable research experience, which has played an essential role in her growth as a scholar. In the summer of 2023, she served as a Research Assistant at Concordia University in Irvine, California. There, she studied arthropods inhabiting native California shrubbery Her tasks involved identifying and measuring the arthropods, compiling data, and contributing to future publications. This research helped her better understand ecological relationships and sharpened her data collection and analysis skills
Continuing her research, Aya worked as a Research Assistant at UC Irvine in 2024 and 2025. This project focused on studying arthropods' presence in California sage scrub, with a broader focus on how arthropod populations influence bird foraging patterns. Aya’s work contributed significantly to the ongoing study, which seeks to understand the role of biodiversity in sustaining ecological balance This research will soon lead to published findings, contributing to the broader scientific understanding of arthropods and their ecological roles.
In the summer of 2022, Aya also had the opportunity to intern at the Laguna Ocean Foundation in Laguna Beach, California. During this internship, she helped monitor the impacts of human activity on intertidal biodiversity in protected habitats. She monitored water quality, documented shorebird diversity, and collected important data that will contribute to scientific publications on coastal ecosystems
Professional Experience and Work
In addition to her academic and research endeavors, Aya has gained practical work experience in customer service and retail. From October 2023 to April 2024, she worked as a Sales Associate at Madewell in New York City This role allowed her to hone her customer service, sales, and operations skills. She excelled in managing customer interactions and paid close attention to the details of store operations.
Aya’s experience in retail continued during the summers of 2022, 2023, and 2024, when she worked as a Sales Associate at Thalia Surf Shop in Laguna Beach, California Her responsibilities included assisting customers, managing product sales, and overseeing surf rental equipment there. This role further reinforced her ability to work with diverse customer needs while supporting the shop’s operations.
Community Service and Volunteering
Aya has always been passionate about giving back to her community Between 2017 and 2021, she worked as a camp counselor for the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, teaching children the importance of conservation and environmental responsibility Through her role as a counselor, she helped inspire future generations to become stewards of the environment.
Her dedication to service extends beyond environmental education Aya has volunteered with several organizations, including fundraising for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which supports childhood cancer research. She has also worked with the Marjaree Mason Center to assist victims of domestic violence and with the St Francis Homeless Project, where she helped raise funds for women recovering from substance abuse. In 2019, she volunteered at River Way Ranch
Camp, teaching children about science and the environment while engaging them in hands-on outdoor activities.
Athletics and Outdoor Activities
Outside of her academic and professional work, Aya has actively participated in various extracurricular activities, particularly those involving athletics and outdoor safety. One of her main passions is competitive horseback riding, and she has been a member of the Columbia University Equestrian Team since her first year Aya has participated in regional and Ivy League competitions, representing the university in Zone 2, Region 4 of the IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association) for several years
Aya is also deeply involved in winter sports and outdoor safety. Between 2018 and 2022, she worked as a ski patroller at China Peak Mountain Resort, where she received training in the Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) program Her certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), CPR, and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) enhanced her ability to provide critical emergency support. In 2021 and 2022, Aya also served as an instructor for the National Ski Patrol’s OEC program, further developing her leadership and teaching skills.
Future Plans and Aspirations
After completing her undergraduate degree at Barnard College in 2025, Aya Aryan columbia intends to pursue a Ph D in Ecology, focusing on studying ecosystems and biodiversity conservation She is committed to advancing scientific understanding in her field, and her experiences as a researcher and volunteer have shaped her goal of contributing to sustainable environmental practices Aya’s diverse experiences, from research and internships to volunteering and athletics, have helped build a well-rounded foundation for her future ecological science and conservation career.
Aya’s unwavering commitment to her studies and community has made her a strong advocate for environmental causes. Through her ongoing research, educational background, and volunteer work, she has laid the groundwork for a future dedicated to protecting the planet and its ecosystems
