Reyla Ponder grew up in Hampton, Georgia as the youngest daughter of five children. She is a
mathematics dual degree
engineering student with an interest in interdisciplinary research involving energy sustainability, environmental, and social issues to solve global challenges in order to create a more equitable, healthier and sustainable world.
Thus far, her undergraduate mathematics research has been in algorithm development and its usefulness in solving problems in both the environmental and social sciences. Ponder is inspired by the potential for more sustainable design within the transportation and tech industry. She is leaning towards graduate school after obtaining her mathematics and civil engineering degrees and hopes to obtain her Ph.D. one day. Ponder desires to combine all her passions of STEM, social and environmental justice into a career that will ultimately improve the lives of her community and the world.