It was two years ago that my brother Andy Nieto passed away in a scuba diving accident. To honor his memory, a new lifetime scholarship in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Davis is being established. Andy Nieto, who earned his doctorate in the department in 2016, was preparing to begin as a faculty member there before he died.

"While his unexpected and premature passing has been difficult to comprehend, the department is extremely grateful to the Nieto family for establishing the scholarship in his honor," said Yayoi Takamura, professor and chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. "It will enable us to continue Andy's legacy and inspire the next generation of materials science and engineering students, in particular first-generation undergraduate students."

Andy started his academic career by completing a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Miami. He continued his studies at Florida International University, completing a Master of Science degree in materials science and engineering. Nieto then moved to UC Davis to pursue his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering, working with Professor Julie Schoenung, who is now at Texas A&M University.

After completing his Ph.D. at UC Davis, Andy continued his career as an Oak Ridge Associated University postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Maryland. He then joined the faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School, or NPS, in Monterey, California.

While Andy displayed a fierce passion for research in the workplace, his family will remember his passion for life, adventure and family, describing him as a "fountain of energy, happiness, humor and love."

An Alaskan cruise in 2005 sparked a curiosity for traveling and a life-long pursuit of exploration. It was on that trip he went on his first hike, an activity that brought a sense of accomplishment to his life, with the rewards of reaching an amazing waterfall, lake or peak.

An explorer at heart, Andy loved traveling and all things outdoors — not just hiking but also snowboarding, scuba diving, kayaking and spending time at the beach, and he cared deeply about the environment and nature. Andy was also an avid chess player, participating in tournaments as a member of the US Chess Federation.

Your donation toward establishing this endowment is greatly appreciated and will help students for many generations. All funds will go directly to UC Davis Department of Material Science.