MEDS 2025
Pronouns: he/him
Bio
Tom Gibbens-Matsuyama is a graduate student in the University of California, Santa Barbara Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. He is currently pursuing a degree in their Environmental Data Science program. Born and raised in Ventura, California, Tom was drawn to the ocean at an early age. This led him to receive a degree in marine biology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2023. With collaborators at the Hawaiian Institute of Marine Biology, Tom's senior project investigated the effects of green sea turtles on benthic communities. This experience introduced him to the biostatistical capabilities of the R programming language. Alongside a biostatistics undergraduate TA position, Tom discovered a newfound interest in data science. He aims to apply the knowledge gained at Bren to address marine related problems. Whether its enhancing sustainable practices in ocean fisheries, tackling coastal degradation, or combating plastic pollution, Tom aspires to be at the forefront of innovative solutions in these areas.