Zachary Matise

Zach is a rising senior at Loyola High School of Los Angeles and a member of the Ignatian Scholars program, where he is developing a capstone project focused on environmental science. Last summer, Zach traveled to the Amazon rainforest with Dr. Brian Griffiths, where he helped replace camera traps and was introduced to field research methods, which sparked his interest in the connection between conservation and Indigenous land stewardship. He is excited to learn more about the scientific and data side of environmental research and explore whether it is a path he wants to pursue long term. Outside of school, Zach has been involved in Scouting America for many years and currently serves as an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in a troop of over 100 scouts. He is completing his Eagle Scout project, which focuses on replanting trees in Will Rogers State Park after wildfire damage in 2025. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, surfing, producing music, cooking, and watching Formula 1 with friends.