Meet Michael Nazari, '25

Michael Nazari is graduating this year with a MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Atmosphere and Energy program). He is an affiliate with the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Program in Iranian Studies. 

What was your major/minor/degree program(s) and area of study/focus? Why did you choose it? 

MS Civil and Environmental Engineering (Atmosphere and Energy program). Civil engineering's role in enabling communities to grow and thrive deeply resonated with me. I was drawn to a discipline where I could give back and make tangible change in communities both near and far. After earning my BS in CE with an emphasis on water, I shifted my focus to energy and its role in our transition to a more sustainable world.

What has been your favorite class at Stanford and why? 

POLISCI 245: Politics in Modern Iran. Dr. Milani's multi-perspective approach on multi-dimensional topics throughout Iranian history fascinated me. But more memorably, he translated these complex subjects into simple, engaging conversations where we students bounced ideas off each other. It was this dynamic that made this class my favorite. That, and listening to Dr. Milani's stories.   

What kind of research, course projects, or co-curricular activities did you participate in during your time at Stanford? 

In Dr. Milani's POLISCI 245 course, I wrote a paper on oil politics in Iran during the 1919-1921 period. I argued that during this era, there was a nationalist movement surrounding Iran's oil that extended outside the country's borders and preceded the infamous movement in the 50s. 

Tell us your favorite major/minor/program-related story or experience! Any adventures abroad or fascinating guest lectures? 

The Iranian Studies program recently hosted a talk with Dr. Mohsen Mesgaran and Dr. Kaveh Madani on self-sufficiency in Iran. The country strives to source all of its food domestically, placing a significant strain on farmers and water systems. Previously unaware of this dynamic, I walked away with a deeper understanding of how complex the relationship between people and the environment is. As someone who studied and now works at the intersection of those two things, this talk further emphasized how important it is to understand the people whose lives are affected by the systems and politics in place.  

As you reflect on your time at Stanford, what are you most proud of? 

With only five quarters at Stanford, I tried my best to stay busy learning and branching out as much as I could. I signed up for newsletters and attended seminars on topics ranging from forgery of ceramics in the Middle East to the fragility of nuclear peace. Through this, I feel I've built a strong sense of community and a meaningful network here. 

What are your plans after graduation? 

After my final quarter, I spent five weeks traveling through Asia. Currently, I am developing battery and solar systems throughout the Western US.