Dr. Lyrial M. Chism was born and raised in Memphis, TN. She received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2004. She earned a Master of Science in Mathematics from the University of Memphis in 2006 and another from the University of Mississippi in 2007. In May of 2009, she graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Doctorate in Mathematics.

Throughout her educational career, Dr. Chism received the Gates Millennium Scholarship, National Urban League Scholarship, GAANN Fellowship sponsored by the NSF, and many more. She participated in numerous programs for rising mathematicians including the Elizabeth City State University (NAM) 2004 Summer Research Institute in Computational Science. She has been honored for her research by the Southern Regional Education Board, the Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, and the Alliance for Graduate Education in Mississippi, just to name a few.

In March of 2009, Dr. Chism decided to serve her country by becoming an applied research mathematician for the United States Department of Defense. In her spare time, she volunteers at summer camps, local schools and colleges, churches and organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring and tutoring. Her passion is to motivate and inspire young women to work hard and achieve any and all goals.