Hometown:

Bloomington, IN

Nicky’s (he/him) proudest accomplishment is his Eagle Scout project enhancing the garden and outdoor educational opportunities at Bloomington’s own Childs Elementary School. As the eighteenth student from Bloomington High School South, he has chosen to stay local and continue enjoying the IU campus’ proximity to great outdoor experiences like hiking trails while pursuing studies in intelligent systems engineering and microbiology, as well as extending his biofilm research in the lab of Professor Clay Fuqua. He is most looking forward to learning from highly knowledgeable professors and watching the squirrels on campus! His three favorite books are Factfulness by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, and Anna Rosling Ronnlund; When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi; and Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. Nicky hopes to travel to Thailand one day to sample spicy food and bask in the majestic sunsets. Nicky would like to thank Kirstin Milks for inspiring his passion for biology and supporting him through high school, as well as his parents for their love, support, advice, and funding for endeavors inside and outside the classroom. He will hold the Luther & Louis Roehm and one of the Robert & Margaret Sutter scholarships.