His research focuses on inter-group disparities, with focus on wealth inequality, educational inequities, immigration policy, intra-group colorism and affirmative action. Prior to academia, Aja worked as a labor organizer with public workers in Texas and conducted human and environmental rights work in Latin America. Aja attended public schools in Miami, Florida and Louisville, Kentucky and currently serves on the SLT (School Leadership Team) for PS264 in Brooklyn, New York.