Ahlia Bethea

Smart Surfaces Scholar

Ahlia is a New Jersey native and dedicated environmental and social justice advocate. She is currently pursuing a J.D. / MPH from Columbia Law School and Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, respectively. Her research with the Coalition involves quantifying the health impacts of Smart Surfaces on outdoor worker health, with a primary focus on airports and military bases where the negative effects of extreme heat exposure can significantly impact worker health and job performance.

Ahlia has studied the interconnected relationship between the environment, health, justice, and development. She recently served as a summer clerk for Earthjustice and is currently an associate for a boutique environmental law firm in New York City.