Hayden Niles grew up 1,500 miles from the nearest ocean, in Waubay, South Dakota—a landlocked town of 500 where the closest thing to the deep sea was a swimming pool. This spring, he graduates from the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo with a bachelor’s in , a minor in , a , and his sights set on hydrothermal vents two miles below the surface.
When it came time for college, Niles, who graduated high school with a class of eight students, initially considered a practical path in nursing. But the ocean¡¯s pull was undeniable. He chose UH Hilo, recognizing it as a realistic option that offered an incredible, accessible marine science program.
“The opportunities here genuinely are shocking,” Niles said, noting the constant stream of emails about internships and jobs. By his freshman year, he had already earned his scientific diving certification, diving headfirst into his passion. He praises UH Hilo¡¯s intimate class sizes, which allowed for hands-on learning and tight-knit relationships with professors.
“You get a chance to really, really get to know your professors, and that helps a ton,” he explained.
Niles didn¡¯t just study the ocean; he actively engaged with it. Before his senior year, he secured a highly competitive deep-sea exploration , an opportunity with only a 2% acceptance rate. This experience, which included crossing the equator and studying unmapped seamounts, solidified his desire to pursue deep-sea microbiology. He specifically hopes to research hydrothermal vent bacteria, noting that “there¡¯s a lot of potential¡ specifically in the deep sea,” particularly for discoveries that could lead to treatments for diseases such as cancer.
But his ambitions extend beyond research. Niles is dedicated to giving back, currently working with the Bonner Program to manage hydroponic food baskets, aiming to bring sustainable agriculture models back to rural communities like his hometown in South Dakota. He believes in the power of agricultural change, stating, “We can make a difference by shaping people¡¯s perspectives.”
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