Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez

Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez is a scientist, educator, author, and extreme explorer with over 30 years in STEM education and research. She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology from Caltech, specializing in environmental microbiology, astrobiology, and Alzheimer’s disease. As a researcher at Caltech and Director of Outreach for the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences, she leads global citizen science initiatives that foster environmental empathy and innovation. She is the co-founder of STEAM Superheroes and advises organizations like SparkReach Leadership and iGIANT. Her bilingual children’s book Gigi & Nema: Guardians of the Soil teaches sustainability and honors Puerto Rican heritage. She also authored Everyday Lab Math: Real Chemistry for Real People — Science, Skincare & DIY Making, making lab science accessible to all. In 2024, she was named one of The Explorers Club’s “Fifty People Changing the World.