Will Geiken

Bio
Will Geiken graduated from Harvard College in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Public Policy and a minor in Psychology. As an undergraduate he interned for the INSTAAR Biogeochemistry Group at CU Boulder, modeling the photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton in the Drake Passage. Studying climate change and directly observing its negative impacts through research left him with a strong desire to work towards creating solutions. His studies of policy and psychology also gave him an understanding that adapting societal norms is a key component of that work. After graduating, Will worked as an environmental educator at Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School in San Luis Obispo, CA. There he shared in students’ excitement for nature through lessons that covered topics from introductory biology to renewable energy sources. A key aspect of his instruction was imparting a sense of students’ individual importance in local and global ecosystems. As a MESM student, Will is interested in the intersection between environmental research and public policy creation. His background in oceanographic studies makes understanding and protecting marine ecosystems of particular interest. As such, he plans to pursue a dual specialization in Coastal Marine Resources Management and Economic and Politics of the Environment. Eventually he hopes to help create policies that mitigate both climate change and societal inequities.