May 22, 2025

UW sophomore awarded selective Udall Scholarship for commitment to environment and community

University of Washington undergrad Lorenzo Roel Flores McCleese, ’27, was recently named a Udall Scholar. Lorenzo is pursuing bachelors’ degrees in environmental science and terrestrial resource management as well as informatics, with a focus on data science. He is also minoring in diversity.

Lorenzo is one of 55 students from 45 colleges and universities selected as 2025 Udall Scholars. This year’s class was selected on the basis of commitment to careers in the environment, Tribal public policy or, Native health care, leadership potential, record of public service and academic achievement. The 2025 Udall Scholars were chosen from 381 candidates nominated by 175 colleges and universities. Award recipients receive up to $7,000 each. The Udall Scholarship honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, brothers whose careers in the federal government spanned more than 30 years and had a significant impact on American Indian self-governance and stewardship of lands and resources.

Lorenzo grew up on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula, where the expansive wilderness and breathtaking views ignited his lifelong love for nature and environmental stewardship.  “I believe that having access to relatively undisturbed lands was pivotal in shaping my lifelong path of mitigating the effects of climate change through innovation and community action,” he said.

Coming from a migrant agricultural background, Lorenzo witnessed firsthand how environmental injustices disproportionately affect marginalized populations, from exposure to carcinogenic pesticides to harmful industrial pollutants. These early experiences nourished the roots of his commitment, growing into a determination to confront environmental challenges through both research and advocacy, and to cultivate more equitable environmental systems.

“That experience cemented my passion for addressing environmental injustice and showed me how I could explore these issues through STEM-based research,” he said, reflecting on his first research project, which focused on human-caused pollutants such as lead, mercury and arsenic in the Duwamish River Superfund site and their effects on nearby neighborhoods.

Cultivating connections rooted in research

As Lorenzo’s understanding of the planetary emergency deepened, his work began to branch out, integrating remote sensing, data science and diversity. “It’s all connected,” he said, noting how these fields intersect within environmental justice. What began as a seed of curiosity has since grown into a mission: to help both the scientific community and the public grasp the current and future impacts of climate change.

Lorenzo’s research continues with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where he uses mapping tools and data analysis to better understand how Indigenous communities in Alaska have experienced and responded to climate change, both in the past and looking ahead. This summer, he will also serve as a research assistant at UC Davis, working with satellite, climate and ocean data to study climate resilience zones, or areas that are relatively buffered from the impacts of climate change. He plans to build on these experiences in his 2026 Summer internship as a NOAA Hollings Scholar, applying Earth system models, data science and spatial analysis to further his research.

Lorenzo is honored to be recognized as a Udall Scholar, an achievement he credits to the unwavering support of his community, including the UW Udall scholarship adviser, Chetana, and his peers. For Lorenzo, the Udall Scholarship signifies a seat at the table of national environmental leadership. “I now feel part of a community dedicated to shaping the future of our ecosystems and society,” he said. “This recognition brings visibility and credibility to my work, serving as a launchpad for future research, graduate study and a long-term career.”

As a man of color in a field often lacking diversity, the recognition holds deep personal significance. “This award affirms that my passion and commitment to environmental work are not only valid but valued,” he said. “It represents my family’s hard work and is a step toward breaking down institutional barriers.”

One of Lorenzo’s biggest challenges in the environmental field has been finding a sense of belonging. “It’s difficult to walk into a classroom, interview or professional setting and be the only person of color,” he said. Navigating these environments has required resilience, self-advocacy and support from communities like the UW Brotherhood Initiative, where he gives back and now mentors others. These communities have helped him overcome cultural barriers and taught him to embrace and leverage his positionality.

This foundation of resilience and cultural intelligence has profoundly shaped Lorenzo’s approach to environmental research, inspiring him to lead with purpose. Even as ongoing cuts to environmental research funding have posed serious challenges to his academic and professional development, Lorenzo believes in the power of collective action, whether through student advocacy, mutual aid or grassroots organizing. “These challenges have shaped my understanding of environmental work as not just a scientific pursuit but a deeply social and political one,” he said.

The Udall Scholarship connects Lorenzo to a nationwide network of students and professionals dedicated to environmental work and interdisciplinary collaboration, providing both support and accountability. He hopes the scholarship’s prestige will strengthen his graduate school applications, and as a self-funded student, he plans to use the award to help cover the costs of his education and living expenses.

Lorenzo is a Mary Gates Leadership Scholar and active campus leader through his mentorship with the Brotherhood Initiative. He supported four first-year students of color at the University of Washington, helping them build a sense of belonging and navigate academic, professional and social life. His focus was connecting them with research and internship opportunities.

Lorenzo serves as an undergraduate research leader with the Office of Undergraduate Research.  Beyond research, he is also an officer for the Program on Climate Change Undergraduate Cohort, where he helps foster strong, collaborative communities. He works with the Campus Sustainability Fund as a grant and project coordinator, applying his passion for environmental justice in both his academic and extracurricular work. When he’s not studying, mentoring or working on projects, Lorenzo enjoys hiking, exploring Seattle, listening to music and playing basketball.

About the Udall Scholarship

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship is open to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. Udall Scholars come from all majors and fields of study. Recent Udall Scholars have majored in environmental sciences and policy studies, agriculture, political science, natural resource management and American Indian studies, to name just a few areas.

About the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship process is supported by the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards (OMSFA), a UAA program. OMSFA works with faculty, staff and students to identify and support promising students in developing the skills and personal insights necessary to become strong candidates for this and other prestigious awards.