Meet Our New NSGLC Research Associate: Matthew Sheffield

Matthew Sheffield, a rising 3L at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, will be working with the NSGLC this summer on a project looking at contaminants of emerging concern. The project is in partnership with South Carolina and Georgia Sea Grant. Welcome, Matt!

1. Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, but I’ve always been interested in the marine environment, with some of my earliest and fondest memories from free-diving off of Hillsboro beach and other parts of South Florida.

2. What was your first job?

Between undergrad and law school, I worked in environmental education in Cape Cod, the Florida Keys, and South Carolina, spent two years in the field of aquaculture, worked as a heating and air conditioning technician, and spent time volunteer organizing with the Sierra Club.

3. Who inspires you?

I was also inspired by the fascinating and extremely well-written book War of the Whales by Joshua Horowitz, the true story of how a marine biologist and an attorney took on the U.S. Navy and its deep-sea sonar program on behalf of the marine mammals it detrimentally affected.

4. What made you consider a career in law?

I channeled my fascination with the oceans and received my B.S. in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston in Charleston in 2015. My interest in the intersection points of science and the law is one of the main reasons I pivoted my career into law school, and I think that working with the NSGLC is an incredible opportunity to immerse myself in cutting edge issues in this area.

5. How do you typically spend your free time?

In my free time I enjoy working out, playing sports, hiking, free-diving, camping, reading, and checking out shows and museums. I’m thrilled to be a part of the NSGLC team for the summer of 2023!