Member Spotlight: Ashna Aggarwal

Ashna Aggarwal is a 5th-year PhD Candidate in Geophysics and Space Physics. Her thesis is in geophysical/astrophysical fluid dynamics, or understanding the physics behind an array of fluid phenomena in the Solar System. These include hurricanes and tornadoes in Earth's atmosphere, to magnetic field generation by planets and stars. She became interested in science policy after volunteering with the Red Cross (which included tasks such as assisting evacuees from the Bobcat Wildfire), and reconsidering how her quantitative expertise could mitigate societal distress.

Ashna's recent science-policy projects include a memo on the remediation of unplugged, toxic oil wells across California. Upon graduation, she hopes to develop a career in federal and international climate policy, and is inspired by the other members of SPG at UCLA for developing science based solutions to society's most pressing, complex issues.