Aaliyah Wright is a fourth-year Ph.D. student at Central Michigan University, where she studies the conservation genetics of freshwater mussels. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Tuskegee University. Alongside her research, Aaliyah works with a nonprofit organization in North Carolina, leading environmental education programs that connect K–12 students with the natural world. She is passionate about conservation, education, and inspiring the next generation of scientists.