May 18, 2020

Welcome to the fourth in our new series: GSO Profiles!  Each post will feature a brief interview with a member of the GSO community. Our first several profiles will be of GSO students who either graduated this past December or this month. These profiles are one way we can celebrate the accomplishments of those graduating in this unusual time of COVID-19, and also welcome them to the ranks of GSO alumni.

We are continuing our series with Nicholas Celico who recently finished his Master’s in Oceanography (non-thesis) with GSO Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs David C. Smith and GSO Professor Arthur Spivak. Nick grew up in Westerly, R.I. and was in URI’s Marine Biology Program as an undergraduate, all of which led him to GSO. But as you’ll read below, there is more to his story. Nick also has the distinction of being GSO’s first varsity athlete, running in both cross-country and track, while balancing the demands of graduate classes, field work and stakeholder meetings.

Here’s Nick, in his own words:

GSOP: Tell us about your work/research at GSO: what question(s) are you trying to answer?

NC: I worked with the Town of Westerly on restoring Winnapaug Pond in Misquamicut, R.I. This salt pond is surrounded by heavy development and exposed to pollution and significant nutrient inputs. My goal was to create a project to address those issues and use the opportunity to educate the public and promote ecologically friendly activities. I drafted a shellfish restoration plan with the town to help improve water quality, replenish recreational shellfish beds and preclude other projects on the pond. By collaborating with the Salt Ponds Coalition, the Rhode Department of Environmental Management and Save the Bay, I arranged a shellfish transplant in the pond for the first time since 2011. It is scheduled to happen after Labor Day. Winnapaug Pond is currently the only salt pond in Rhode Island to be the recipient of a shellfish transplant for this year. My hope is the increased shellfish biomass in the pond will lead to improved water quality and happier shellfishermen!

GSOP: What is your favorite thing about your work?

NC: My favorite thing about my work is that it is a continuation of my best childhood memories. I have been digging shellfish since I was 5 years old. I was always intrigued by how our favorite spot would be full of quahogs year after year. Now, I have the opportunity to make sure families can have the same memories with their children. 

GSOP: What led you to your studies/career in ocean sciences?

NC: All my life I have been surrounded by ocean. I live in the beach town of Westerly, R.I. My dad is a professional surf fisherman and had me fishing before I could walk. Almost every enjoyable thing I do involves the ocean. I figure if I can’t get away from it, I might as well embrace it. The ocean regulates how we as humans live, eat, work, etc. It influences the weather we have, in some cases from thousands of miles away. The ocean is also the best highway on the planet, crucial to commerce, travel and naval operations for thousands of years. With our future unknown and the ocean invading our 30% of Earth, people will be looking to ocean scientists for answers and solutions. I want to be part of that solution.

GSOP: What brought you to GSO?

NC: The fact that I live only a half hour away from GSO was super convenient. But also, my time in URI’s marine biology program, as an undergraduate, showed me how great our marine sciences were. As I came into my senior year, I knew I wanted to expand my knowledge about our oceans. There’s so much more to the ocean than just its biological components, so I thought the M.O. program would be the perfect compliment to building upon my marine biology background. Above all, I knew GSO would widen my career opportunities in the future.

GSOP: How have the COVID precautions affected you?

NC: As Bear Grylls says, “improvise, adapt, overcome!” The COVID precautions took some of my identity away, as my final track season vanished before my eyes. Those who know me know how much track and field means to me. Also, the staple of my internship, the shellfish transplant in Winnapaug Pond, was postponed, with a firm date yet to be determined. Adversity is a part of life, and how you respond to it says a lot about your character. As hard as it is to stay positive during these times, I took this as an opportunity to develop a better daily routine and still accomplish my goals in alternate ways.

GSOP: Who have been your role models or mentors? 

NC: Both of my parents and both of my track coaches from high school and college. Lots of tough love and honest truth.

GSOP: What do you do for fun?

NC: Clamming (no surprise there), saltwater fishing, going to the beach, running, kayaking, hanging out with others and playing frisbee with my two awesome black labs! I was also a member of URI’s track and cross-country teams for four years!

GSOP: What is your favorite spot or view at GSO?

NC: The view from the Claiborne Pell Library cannot be topped, in my opinion.

GSOP: What is your advice for someone considering ocean science for their academic/professional career?

NC: The ocean science field involves more than just the ocean, so always keep an open mind to what’s out there. You will be surprised to see how many parts of our daily lives are affected by what is happening in our oceans. Just remember, Earth is an “ocean-dominated” planet.