Nathan is working on his M.S. in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development (CBSD) at the UW's Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies. Within the CBSD Professional Track Nathan's research focuses on the contributions of ecosystem services and food security, with an emphasis on conservation strategies that contribute to resilience in both. In particular Nathan is interested in land tenure, species conservation and protected area management.

Nathan's M.S. research is done in partnership with Conservation International (CI). Nathan is conducting a thorough literature review on ecosystem services contributions to food security, to identify where established research on the subject exists and in turn, to integrate the review findings within the field strategies component of CI's emerging food security program. Nathan's work with CI builds upon his previous NGO work in conservation planning in Wolong Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China. The end goals of Nathan's M.S. work rest in strengthening his ability to build successful field programs that support human communities and resilient landscapes.

Nathan earned his BS degree in Anthropology from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana in 2005. Nathan also worked for 10 years in resource protection for the National Park Service in Glacier N.P., before taking on work in the nonprofit and political sectors.