Aja Sparks

Aja Sparks is a senior at Tufts University pursuing a B.S. in Physics. Academically, she loves exploring her curiosity in high-energy particle physics and other unfamiliar topics. As an undergraduate researcher on the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), she is currently researching neutrino oscillation phenomenology and will write her upcoming senior thesis analyzing why atmospheric neutrinos are a good laboratory for studying neutrino oscillations and making measurements of fundamental quantities of the Standard Model. Outside of her studies, Aja is passionate about furthering equitable opportunities in education as well as advancing the representation of Black and African-American students in physics. Within the Physics and Astronomy Department at Tufts, Aja is an active member and advocate on the DEIJ Committee, an enthused learning assistant for introductory physics courses, and the Founding President of Tufts University’s Society of Black Physicists Chapter. A Coding It Forward First Act Fund grantee, she is the founder of PrepSolo, formerly a mobile test prep app that will be integrated into a centralized, online platform designed for traditionally marginalized students to learn from the experiences and advice of other underrepresented students regarding standardized test preparation and graduate school applications. Aja also serves as a volunteer mentor of Citizen Schools, a national nonprofit mentoring program that creates equitable opportunities for students to thrive in school and beyond by providing hands-on learning and career mentors. She plans to explore the intersectionality of these interests in science, technology, society and law by pursuing a J.D. and a legal career in intellectual property law. Aja is excited to work with ABF Research Professor Dr. Shari Diamond this summer on Science and the Legal System: Phase Two.