Hometown: Medford, Massachusetts
Major(s): Biology and Computer Science
Nathan Moreno is a senior at Tufts University from Medford, Massachusetts. He majored in Biology and Computer Science and his undergraduate journey reflects a strong commitment to scientific research, community service, and expanding equity in STEM education.
Nathan’s passion for space and biology led him to NASA Ames Research Center, where he participated in the Space Life Sciences Training Program (SLSTP) beginning in 2023. As a Research Associate in the Gravitational Effects and Radiobiology of Microbes in Space (GERMS) lab, he studied how simulated microgravity influences microbial population dynamics. He returned in 2024 as a Program Staffer, continuing his research and supporting a new cohort of interns. In collaboration with his cohort, he co-developed and taught SLICK (Space Life Imagination Course for Kids), a space science education program designed for elementary and middle school students, particularly from first-generation and underrepresented backgrounds.
During the school year, Nathan continued his work with the GERMS lab as an intern, supported by the Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium Fellowship. He contributed to RNA-seq analyses investigating microbial responses to spaceflight conditions, deepening our understanding of life in extreme environments.
On campus, Nathan was active in the Biology Department. As a Department Ambassador, he advised students on course planning, research opportunities, and departmental resources. He also led wet-lab workshops for students with limited lab experience, served on the department’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Committee, and worked as a Teaching Assistant and student worker.
Nathan served as Treasurer of the Tufts Society of Latinx Engineers and Scientists (S.O.L.E.S.), a club dedicated to supporting Latinx college students in STEM. In this role, he helped organize events that promoted academic success, community engagement, and professional development.
In recognition of his leadership and service, Nathan was also awarded the 2025 Bernheim Service Award, which honors a student who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Tufts Biology Department. Across all of his work, Nathan remains dedicated to fostering inclusive pathways into science and higher education.
