Nicholas Hunt (MA, 2015)

Nick Hunt, a 2015 graduate of the Marine Conservation and Policy (MCP) program at Stony Brook University, has taken his passion for marine science and turned it into a career at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia.

Hunt is originally from Houston, Texas where he completed his undergraduate degree in

Biology, with a Marine concentration, at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. His early dedication to research set the foundation for his academic and professional success. During this time, he connected with a professor who was a Stony Brook University (SBU) alumnus and was introduced to SBU and subsequently the MCP graduate program, for which Hunt applied and was accepted into.

Hunt explored a wide range of opportunities reflecting the MCP program's interdisciplinary nature. For his capstone project, he worked with Dr. Jackie Collier, conducting statistical analyses on brown tide data from Long Island’s bays. Hunt also pursued an internship with the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, a former nonprofit organization in Washington D.C., where he acted as their Policy Intern and reported on science policy.

Reflecting on his time at SBU, he emphasized how much the program offers to those willing to put in the effort and the flexibility in tailoring the degree to individual interests and career goals. He described his study abroad experience tagging sharks in Belize as one of the standout moments in his time in the program.

Today, Hunt works at the NSF, where he has transitioned from the program side to the business operations side of the agency. In his role, he leverages his scientific expertise to develop budgets and conduct data analysis to inform senior managers and Congress. His favorite part of his job is the NSF mission: “to promote the progress of science.”

Hunt’s journey is an example of the opportunities and doors that the MCP program can open for graduates. From fieldwork to policy and beyond, Nick embodies the program's commitment to supporting diverse and impactful careers in marine conservation.