Ashley Walker is a planetary astrochemist, science communicator, and advocate for equity in STEM. Her research focuses on the astrochemistry and microphysics of planetary bodies, including Saturn’s moon, Titan and the ice giants, Uranus, and Neptune. During her time at Howard University, she became a recipient of NASA’s prestigious FINESST fellowship.

Ashley earned her B.S. in chemistry from Chicago State University and has conducted research at Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She is the founder of Black In Astro and a co-founder of BlackInChem and BlackInPhysics, leading global efforts to elevate historically excluded voices in the sciences. Her work has been featured by Scientific American, BBC America, Katie Couric Media, and she has collaborated with NASA and the White House National Space Council. Through her scientific leadership and public engagement, Ashley brings a dynamic, inclusive perspective to planetary science and space exploration.