Kekoa Nelson

Background

About Kekoa Nelson

Hello, my name is Kekoa Nelson and I finished up my BS in Biology: Ecology and Environmental Biology May 2023. I am interested in anthropogenic and species interactions with the natural environment and how to better manage and conserve these species. I will draw from my REU experience at USC and research experience at my home institution CSUDH. At USC, I researched the effects of heat stress on the diurnal cycle of Giant kelp. Through that, I honed my skills in spectrophotometer usage, conducting research, literature review, presenting my research, and working with deadlines. At CSUDH, I researched the effects of thermal heat stress on California Native plant species and will draw from some of the same skills and experiences. In addition to my lab experience, I have played soccer for 14 years which has developed my teamwork, communication, and problem-solving capabilities. As a sport that requires all 11 players to work together, I have successfully cultivated my teamwork skills in order to achieve team goals. With that, I have furthered my communication skills, guiding my teammates on the field toward the path to success. Finally, as soccer is a fast-paced sport, I have honed my ability to problem-solve on the fly in order to make my team more prosperous. My ultimate goal in my field is to aid in mitigating the effects of anthropogenic activities to preserve the species we have for the coming years.