Aisha Drisdom

BS 2025 Statistics, Environmental and Sustainability Studies Additional Major, Business Analytics and Optimization Minor

Aisha Drisdom is a junior at Carnegie Mellon University studying Statistics with an additional major in Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ESS) and a minor in Business Analytics and Optimization. Aisha has always had a passion for environmental issues, particularly in water and plastic pollution and loss of biodiversity. This passion led her to explore these topics through various environmental science and environmental history classes that she has taken both through her home college and outside of her home college.

A pivotal moment in Aisha's academic journey was joining the first cohort of the LCAL's Costa Rica program, which partners with the Monteverde Institute, a renowned center of study dedicated to sustainable environmental practices and community engagement. Through Aisha's experience she was able to enroll in a tropical ecology course, where she observed biodiversity and dynamics of the tropical ecosystem in real time.

Her time in Costa Rica showed her how important statistical analysis is for assessing the success of biodiversity restoration efforts, such as replanting native species. By tracking changes in species diversity and ecosystem health, the use of statistical methods helps researchers refine conservation strategies and make evidence-based decisions. This transformative experience inspired her to use data-driven approaches to address global environmental challenges and solidified Aisha's desire to pursue a career at the intersection of statistics and environmental science.