About

About Aya Aryan

Aya Aryan is a student at Barnard College of Columbia University. She is majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Italian. She is passionate about ecology and has gained research experience at institutions like UC Irvine and Concordia University, in addition to Columbia University, focusing on arthropod ecology and environmental conservation. Aya has volunteered for various causes, including childhood cancer research and awareness of domestic violence. After graduating in 2025, she plans to pursue a PhD in Ecology.

Early Life and Education

Aya Hala Aryan was born in San Diego, California, and later moved to Fresno, where she attended Clovis North High School. Aya was always interested in the environment and science, which made her excel in her studies and earn a place on the Principal’s Honor Roll. Her focus on academics earned her a spot in the top 5% of her graduating class and a 4.6 GPA. Her academic journey continued at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City, where she began her college studies in 2021. Aya is majoring in Environmental Science and pursuing a minor in Italian. Her studies have been marked by hard work, as seen in her consistent presence on the Dean’s List and maintaining a 3.7 GPA. Aya’s educational journey has also taken her abroad. In 2022, she spent time in Perugia, Italy, as part of her study abroad program, increasing her knowledge of the Italian language and culture. The following year, she participated in an intensive study abroad program in Bermuda, focusing on Environmental Science from a marine ecology standpoint.

Research Experience and Contributions

Aya’s academic interests quickly translated into research experiences, which have been central to her studies. During the summer of 2023, she worked as a Research Assistant at Concordia University in Irvine, California. Here, she helped research arthropods that inhabit native California shrubbery. Aya’s responsibilities included identifying and measuring arthropods and analyzing and entering data for future studies and publications. This research expanded her understanding of ecological relationships and helped her refine her data collection and analysis skills. Aya continued her research in 2024 and 2025 when she worked as a Research Assistant at UC Irvine. In this role, she focused on studying the presence of arthropods in California sage scrub. This research was part of a larger project to understand how arthropod populations influence bird foraging patterns. Aya’s work contributed to the study’s ongoing investigation of how biodiversity affects the larger ecological balance and will lead to publication. Additionally, in the summer of 2022, Aya Aryan of Columbia University had the opportunity to intern at the Laguna Ocean Foundation in Laguna Beach, California. This internship focused on studying the impacts of human activity on intertidal biodiversity in protected habitats. Aya helped monitor water quality, document shorebird diversity, and collect data for scientific publications.

Professional Experience and Work

Alongside her academic and research work, Aya has gained practical experience through several customer service and retail positions. From October 2023 to April 2024, she worked as a Sales Associate at Madewell in New York City, where she perfected her skills in customer service, sales, and store operations. Aya’s ability to manage customer interactions and attention to detail were key to her success in this role. Aya Aryan, a Columbia University student, also worked as a Sales Associate at Thalia Surf Shop in Laguna Beach, California, during the summers of 2022, 2023, and 2024. At Thalia Surf Shop, Aya’s responsibilities included assisting customers, managing product sales, and overseeing surf rental equipment.

Community Service and Volunteering

Aya Aryan has always been passionate about giving back to her community. From 2017 to 2021, she worked as a San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust camp counselor. There, she taught children about the importance of conservation and the environment, helping to inspire future generations of environmental stewards. Aya also participated in other volunteer efforts, including fundraising for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which raises money for childhood cancer research, and working with the Marjaree Mason Center to support victims of domestic violence. Aya’s volunteer efforts extended to her role with the St. Francis Homeless Project, where she helped raise funds for women recovering from substance abuse. In 2019, she also volunteered for the River Way Ranch Camp, teaching children about science and the environment while engaging them in outdoor activities.

Athletics and Outdoor Activities

Outside of her academic and professional endeavors, Aya has been involved in extracurricular activities, particularly athletics. One of her most significant passions is competitive horseback riding, and she has been a member of the Columbia University Equestrian Team since her first year. Aya has competed in regional and Ivy League competitions, participating in Zone 2, Region 4 of the IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association) for several years. Aya is also interested 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. She became certified in Basic Life Support (BLS), CPR, and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). In 2021 and 2022, Aya also served as an instructor for the National Ski Patrol’s OEC program, further building her leadership and teaching skills.