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MESM 2026

Pronouns: he/him

Bio
Nicholas graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and concentration in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. As an undergraduate, Nicholas developed a passion for oceanography and conducted research on the effect of lunar illumination on mid-trophic organisms in the Central Pacific Ocean. He was also involved in a research lab, helping quantify methane production in anoxic marine environments.

Wanting to tackle larger environmental issues, however, Nicholas started working at the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research as a data scientist in his third year at UCLA. There, he pushed the boundaries of cutting edge microplastics research developing an open-source Microplastics Data Portal. This led to the publication of impactful papers and creation of web applications that have allowed the scientific community to more effectively collaborate, monitor, and reduce plastic in the environment.

Drawing on his past experiences, Nicholas is determined to address the plastic issue at its source by focusing on large-scale producers and polluters. At the Bren School, he hopes to influence corporate policies and strategies that reduce environmental footprints “particularly the reliance on plastics" while fostering innovation in sustainability.