Nic (he/him/his)

Happy Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈

Position/What you do at U of R?

I am a graduate student in the Planetary Science Laboratory with the esteemed Miki Nakajima. I study rocks; I make rocks, I smash rocks into other rocks, I shoot electrons at rocks, and on occasion I hit rock bottom.  

Where are you from?

I am from America's Dairyland in Madison, Wisconsin. My home away from home is the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico!

What got you interested in Earth and Environmental Sciences?

I got my degree in astrophysics, so my heart is still in that field. I got interested in Earth and Environmental Sciences with my advisor because it is the closest I can get to being in astrophysics without having to deal with the stress of being in astrophysics. So it goes. 

What do you enjoy most about U of R?

Favorite thing about UR is the facilities. The libraries on campus are great and the outdoor track is available for everyone, which I use quite a bit since I love going in circles.

What is your favorite book?

Favorite authors (tie): Xinyao Zhou and Cole Meyer, two incredibly talented up-and-coming writers. Meyer's storytelling with the short story medium is fantastic, while Zhou demonstrates impressive skills in character development.

Favorite book (tie): Longitude by Dava Sobel and The Hunt for Vulcan by Thomas Levenson. These books follow two very fun episodes in the history of astronomy/physics.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I love painting. My favorite medium is oil. Here are some that I have made. The first is a recreation of Georgia O'Keeffe's "From the Nearby Faraway" and the second is my attempt at some citrus impressionism.

What is your favorite joke?

Doctor: we had to remove your colon

Me why