Gustavo Nascimento

Gustavo Nascimento is a rising sophomore at Brandeis University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. In his academics, he explores two major areas of interest: ecology and environmental anthropology. In ecology, he’s fascinated by ecosystems and community dynamics, particularly how the plethora of organisms interact to shape their environments. In environmental anthropology, he’s drawn to the study of how humans connect with the land they inhabit, investigating how cultural practices and environmental contexts reciprocally shape each other.

His academic journey is complemented by extensive volunteer and leadership experience in environmental conservation and social justice. This includes working as a Thematic Facilitator of Nature & Ecosystems at CYMG (Children and Youth Major Group, from the United Nations Environment Programme), founding a reforestation project with 9000+ trees planted and 100+ volunteers gathered, and raising 10,000 reais for a local NGO in his home city, Sao Paulo (Brazil). He is currently pursuing a summer internship at the Smithsonian Institution, working as a science communicator alongside Smithsonian Gardens to highlight their Tree Collection and share the importance of trees for culture and combating climate change.

In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, and listening to music. Recently, he has discovered a new hobby—birdwatching—which he has been enthusiastically pursuing on his university campus. This activity has not only been enjoyable but has also deepened his appreciation for biodiversity and the natural world around him.