Nicole Lauren MacHuca

Nicole Machuca is an experienced environmental social scientist currently co-leading the Monarchs & Pollinators Initiative at The Field Museum, where involvement in the City of Chicago Initiative is also notable. Prior experience includes roles at the Alliance for the Great Lakes, where strategic direction and coordination of qualitative research projects on health and environmental justice were primary responsibilities. As Director of Environmental Education & Neighborhood Parks at Friends of the Parks, Nicole managed programming for community organizations and provided technical assistance to improve neighborhood parks. Nicole’s background includes teaching secondary science, serving as an Agriculture Extensionist Volunteer with the Peace Corps, and gaining valuable research and curriculum development experience through various internships and positions. Educational credentials include a Master of Science in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston and a Secondary Science Teaching Certification from Northwestern University.