Meet a Colleague: Nydia Ayala Nydia Ayala is an assistant professor of cognitive and behavioral science.

W&L News Office
October 2, 2024

Q. How long have you worked at W&L?
I have worked here for approximately two months.

Q. What courses are you teaching this term?
I will be teaching psychology and law, as well as introduction to cognition.

Q. What is the most satisfying aspect of teaching?
For me, it is exposing students to new areas of research.

Q. What do you like most about working at W&L?
I have only been at W&L for a very short period of time, but even in that time I have enjoyed the very collegial environment that W&L fosters. I am looking forward to working with W&L’s curious student body.

Q. Where is your favorite location on the W&L campus?
I don’t have a favorite location just yet, but I do love all the green space on campus! You will often find me walking my dog around campus in the evenings or on weekends.

Q. What advice do you have for students?
Effective learning should be difficult on the front end and should get progressively easier as you master the material. Test yourself to both help and gauge your learning.

Q. What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
I spend most of my time with my canine companion, Nani.

Q. Where did you grow up?
I was born in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, but was raised in different cities across the Greater Toronto Area in Canada.

Q. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I believe I wanted to be a crime scene investigator. I loved the television series “CSI” growing up.

Q. Who inspired you to teach? What about them inspired you?
My graduate school advisors, Dr. Andrew Smith and Gary Wells, inspire my teaching. They are very passionate instructors.

Q. What is the most adventurous thing that you have ever done?
This might sound boring, but I left a very stable job to attend graduate school. Some thought it was risky, but it totally paid off.

Q. What book are you reading now?
I am currently refreshing my memory on Brandon Garrett’s book titled “Convicting the Innocent.” He provides an in-depth analysis of the investigative factors that contributed to wrongful conviction cases in the United States.

Q. What music are you listening to these days?
My music taste is all over the place. I currently have Chappell Roan, Humbe, Post Malone and Zach Bryan on repeat. See what I mean?

Q. If you could live anywhere, where would you build your dream home?
Either Mexico or Greece. Or both, please!

Q. What is your favorite film (movie) of all time?
I have so many favorites! But “Little Miss Sunshine” comes to mind.

Q. What is your desert island food?
I am highly confident that I could live off avocado and tortillas for a very long time and be happy.