Lorenzo McCleese
As I pursue a double major in environmental science and informatics, my passions primarily focus on climate change research, environmental justice, and promoting diverse outreach and inclusion. In my research career, I aim to study the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and communities using computational methods. I aspire to use research to help the general population understand climate change’s potential and current global effects. These goals build upon my research with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and UC Davis, where I study climate change in two different lenses: quantitative/spatial analyses of traditional ecological knowledge and climate change buffers in marine ecosystems.
Outside of academics, I work as a Peer Mentor for the Brotherhood Initiative and co-lead of Brothers and Sisters in Research. I also work for the UW Campus Sustainability Fund as their Grant and Project Coordinator, and serve as an RSO Officer for the Program on Climate Change Undergraduate Cohort (PCC UCo). I plan to hold most of these positions until graduation, striving to build strong campus communities and drive meaningful change. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, listening to music, exploring Seattle, and playing basketball.
I applied to these scholarships primarily to continue trying my hand at competitive national scholarship applications, becoming a more competitive graduate school applicant. Additionally, I hope to use this opportunity to build lasting connections with fellow students and gain insight into the impactful work being done nationwide. The application process also gave me a chance to improve my scientific writing, a critical skill as I work on multiple research publications. Finally, I aim to fund my education and living costs with these awards.
Goals
I aspire to pursue graduate school and earn a PhD in the environmental or data sciences. In my career, I aim to work as a research scientist for a federal agency like NOAA or the USGS, specializing in climate change impacts.
Tips
Work closely with your research mentors on all parts of the Goldwater application, not just the main essay, especially how you frame yourself as a researcher. Also, take the time to reflect on your trajectory as a student and future professional, as a clear sense of your story makes it much easier to write about your goals.
For the Truman application, think very carefully about how you frame your work within public service and civic engagement; I was surprised to see just how much can fall under these categories if you shift your focus. Giving a clear explanation of how your current work informs your future goals as a student and professional is critical. Your essays should all paint a clear, but multifaceted, picture of yourself, and the final proposal is a chance to apply your experiences tangibly.
When possible, create a clear through-line across your Udall essays. While it may be tempting to reuse experiences in multiple essays, try your best to use each one to highlight a different aspect of yourself via a different position/role. By the end, you'll find that you've created a story about your interests, background, and future aspirations better than you could have by reiterating similar points. For the main essay, try to hone in on a specific project that involves all the Udall core values, or on a particular value, explaining how it shows up throughout your college career.
