Nick Nidzieko

Nick Nidzieko is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He chairs the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Marine Science (IGPMS) and focuses on coastal physical oceanography, particularly how physical processes influence marine ecosystems. His research employs novel technologies like autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), satellites, and drones to study estuaries, kelp forests, and the Santa Barbara Channel.

Dr. Nidzieko holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from UCLA and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Fluid Mechanics from Stanford University. His postdoctoral work at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) preceded his faculty role at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. He joined UCSB in 2016.

His research interests include coastal mixing dynamics, ecosystem metabolism, and the application of remote sensing to monitor aquaculture and coastal environments. Notable projects include the BEACON initiative studying the Bellingshausen Sea and the SHIFT campaign analyzing sub-seasonal ecological patterns via imaging spectroscopy.

Collaborative efforts with institutions like NASA and NOAA highlight his work on satellite data integration and tidal marsh restoration. His studies often bridge physical oceanography with ecological outcomes, emphasizing the role of human activities in coastal systems.