Riley earned her BA in Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she worked in the Heath D. Schmidt Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology. In the Schmidt Lab, Riley studied the role of GLP-1 and other neuropeptide systems in reward-mediated behaviors and explored their potential as novel treatments for substance use disorders. In the Tawfik lab, Riley is investigating how the central nervous system modulates peripheral inflammation following injury.

Outside of the lab, Riley enjoys cooking, hiking, and attending sporting events. Originally from Chicago, Riley is a devoted Cubs fanand returns to Wrigley Field each season to catch a game.