Scientist, Teacher, Friend

"It has been an honor to work with Nicolás in the Galapagos Verde 2050 lab. He is not only a great scientist but also an amazing human being, which makes him a cherished member of our team. This year has been challenging for our lab because of funding shortages. Nico made it his mission to find every research grant opportunity that we were eligible for. Then, he went above and beyond, dedicating his personal time to ensure our applications were of the highest quality and that we met all the deadlines. It paid off, so far, we have secured three research grants, which have provided essential resources to continue our work. In addition to helping secure funds, having Nico’s calm and positive energy around us during these stressful times has made these challenges more manageable Since joining the Galapagos Verde 2050 team, Nico has been key for increasing our productivity. He has directly contributed to the publication of four research articles, one book, and a technical report, with many more publications on the way. He has provided thoughtful feedback on many documents and supervised the projects of volunteers and thesis students. Nico’s dedication extends beyond the workplace. He makes it a priority to ensure the people he supervises feel welcomed and supported. When new team members arrive, he takes them under his wing, helping them adapt to life in the Galapagos, especially since many of them come from other countries. On one occasion, when housing at the research station was full, Nico generously offered his apartment to two thesis students while he was on vacation with his family. Additionally, Nico loves to cook and share his creations with the team. His Chilean empanadas are the best! Nico is the kind of person everyone can rely on. I can always count on him to discuss research ideas or ask him about my statistical analyses. He is patient, reassuring, and tries to offer something useful in every conversation. This year, I have been on the journey of applying to a PhD program. Nico provided invaluable feedback on my research proposal and wrote me a deeply personalized recommendation letter, which ended up being one of the most supportive letters I have ever received. For his commitment to science, leadership, and uplifting those he works with, Nicolás deserves to be recognized as a Lab Hero."

Nominated by Anna Calle, Galapagos Verde 2050, Charles Darwin Foundation, Ecuador