Nicholas Durgadeen
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Long-term Fellow: October 2024 - 2025
Mentored by Dr. Marilyn Brandt, University of the Virgin Islands
Nicholas Durgadeen’s career in STEM is flourishing. His path began in 2018 with the Supporting Emerging Aquatic Scientists (SEAS) Your Tomorrow Program, hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). Through SEAS Your Tomorrow, Nicholas embarked on his marine science education and forged lasting connections with globally recognized organizations like The Nature Conservancy and local entities such as the St. Croix East End Marine Park. As the program evolved into SEAS Island Alliance, Nicholas transitioned from mentee to mentor, guiding new participants and supporting the next generation of scientists.
Today, Nicholas is a Master of Marine and Environmental Studies (MMES) candidate at UVI, where his thesis explores the environmental conditions that make certain regions more vulnerable to coral bleaching. Alongside his academic pursuits, he actively contributes to coral restoration efforts, leads a team of scientific divers on the weekend to respond to coral disturbances such as reefs damaged from physical actions, coral disease and invasive species and, he serves as a community representative for Reef Response, a coral restoration initiative in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He is also a current Navigating Home Fellow.
The Navigating Home Fellowship connects recent college graduates with meaningful workforce opportunities in marine and environmental science. For Nicholas, the program has been transformative. “Navigating Home is more than just a job,” he shares. “It’s a community of supportive, like-minded individuals who genuinely care about your personal and professional growth.”
Since joining Navigating Home in 2024, Nicholas has expanded his network, built friendships across the globe, and taken on impactful roles within his community. “Through this Fellowship, I’ve connected with professionals in fields I aspire to, contributed to sustainable environmental changes, and accelerated my career ambitions,” he explains. “Without Navigating Home, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m deeply grateful for the program’s support in building lasting relationships and advancing my career.”
Before becoming a Navigating Home Fellow, Nicholas worked with the National Park Service in St. Croix. Thanks to this Fellowship, he is now pursuing his master’s degree and considering a Ph.D. program thanks to initiatives like the Bridge to Ph.D. Nicholas’s story exemplifies the power of mentorship and opportunity in shaping the future of marine and environmental science.