Ashley Walker (astrochemist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ashley Lindalía Walker
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| Alma mater | Chicago State University, 2020 (BS) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astrochemistry, Science Communication |
| Institutions | Goddard Space Flight Center |
Ashley Lindalía Walker is a brilliant scientist who studies the chemistry of space, called astrochemistry. She is also a science communicator, meaning she helps share science with everyone. Ashley is also an activist, working to make things fair for all people.
Inspired by the success of Black Birders Week, Ashley helped create important online campaigns. These included #BlackinChem, #BlackInAstro, and #BlackInPhysics. These campaigns helped show the amazing work of Black scientists and students in these fields. They also worked to make science more welcoming for everyone.
Early Life and Education
Ashley grew up in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. She loved visiting the Adler Planetarium and became very interested in science. Even though she first studied business at City Colleges of Chicago, she soon changed her mind. She decided to study forensic chemistry and then moved to Chicago State University.
At Chicago State, Ashley did something amazing. She was the first student there to create her own major in astrochemistry. She worked with planetary scientists and computational chemists. Together, they studied what different planetary atmospheres are made of.
During her college years, Ashley joined the Banneker Institute program at Harvard University. There, she helped model hydrogen cyanide in areas where new planets are forming. She also studied special organic compounds called tholins. These compounds, when mixed with water, can be building blocks for life. Her work on tholins, found on Titan, a moon of Saturn, became her senior project. Later, she worked at the Goddard Space Flight Center. She used special tools to study Titan's atmosphere with planetary scientist Carrie Anderson.
Science Communication and Advocacy
Ashley uses her social media and connections in science to help others. She especially supports Black women and nonbinary people who want to work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
In 2019, Ashley organized an event at the Adler Planetarium. This event, part of the Wakandacon convention, celebrated Black women in astrochemistry and planetary sciences. Building on the success of Black Birders Week, Ashley helped start #BlackInAstro, #BlackInChem, and #BlackInPhysics weeks. These campaigns highlighted Black scientists who are leaders in their fields. They also worked to remove barriers for young Black researchers. For example, they pushed for less reliance on the Graduate Record Examinations (GREs). They also shared information about internships and funding for new scientists.
The first #BlackInChem campaign worked with the Royal Society of Chemistry and the American Chemical Society. #BlackInAstro teamed up with the American Astronomical Society's Astrobites. These campaigns were so important that the journal Science named them a finalist for the 2020 Breakthrough of the Year.
Ashley is also a member of the American Astronomical Society. She serves on a special committee that works to improve the status of minorities in astronomy.
Personal Life
While in college, Ashley faced a big challenge when her father, Kenneth Lovell, passed away. After this, she had a problem with her college funding. But she didn't give up! She was able to raise over $8,000 in donations. This helped her finish her spring semester and attend a summer program at Harvard University.
