Aya earned her Ph.D. in Biophysics from the CINaM laboratory in France in 2019, where she focused on surface patterning strategies to study T-cell adhesion and actin organization. She was subsequently recognized as a “Young Innovative Doctor 2020” in the southern region of France. Transitioning into the role of R&D engineer, Aya contributed to the establishment of a startup specializing in nano-substrate fabrication with SATT Sud-Est.
As a postdoctoral researcher in the Horsley Lab in the MCDB department, Aya investigates the mechanical regulation of skin fibrosis using mouse and tissue culture models. Beyond her academic work, Aya maintains an active lifestyle, engaging in sports like pickleball, tennis, and outdoor activities such as biking and running. She is a fan of the lifestyles of people living in blue zones and is actively seeking her ikigai, with the dream of eventually living in one of these regions.