Halley Hughes is a senior at the University of Arizona double majoring in Natural Resources & the Environment: Global Change Ecology and Urban & Regional Development. She is completing her Honors thesis on heat mitigation and climate resiliency in vulnerable communities. As a Tucson native, her interest in sustainability and environmental justice stems from her love of the Sonoran desert and the multicultural communities in Tucson. She believes strongly in the power of empathy, diversity, and inclusion, and their ability to create impactful change and help navigate crises. Halley has a rich scientific background as an alumnus of the KEYS research program and a current researcher for the Arizona Institutes for Resilient Environments and Societies’ Bridging Biodiversity and Conservation group. Her interests include decolonization, environmental justice, localization, and community-led development. She is excited to use her communication skills to give back to her community and the Earth, both of whom have been essential to her growth. She endeavors to highlight the innovations happening in her city, country, and the world at large. Halley is planning to pursue a career in science communication and journalism.