About me. Miguel Gamez-Macias.. is a Hispanic artist born in 2001 in Fresno, California. Raised in a nurturing and tight-knit family, his early years were shaped by moments of imaginative play, new technology, the internet, frequent visits to the zoo, and time spent assisting his father with fish tanks. These experiences instilled in him a lasting curiosity for the natural world and an interest in the constructed one.      Miguel's interest in aquatic life was particularly influenced by his nostalgia for fishkeeping with his father, as well as by the stark contrast between the arid environment of Fresno's dry mountains and the lush aquatic ecosystems he longed to understand. Growing up in a region marked by drought, in a city proven to be difficult to leave, Miguel developed a curiosity and empathy for marine creatures, viewing them as symbols of life beyond his immediate surroundings.      As Miguel sought educational opportunities in marine and aquatic sciences, he quickly realized that, in the Central Valley, there were limited resources available for those interested in such niche fields. This realization led him to understand how local priorities, often focused on agriculture and industry, can stifle diverse educational interests. Frustrated by this lack of opportunity, Miguel took it upon himself to self-educate, delving into the study of aquatic environments and the impact of human activity on these ecosystems. Along this journey, Miguel has received an AA in art, a certificate in marine biology from the American Museum of Natural History, and has served as an educator in topics of aquatic science to children in a classroom setting at a Non-Profit science organization. He has shown his interdisciplinary artwork in art galleries across Fresno, as well as travelling to various school districts outside of Fresno for his Aquatic Advocacy. As of 2025, Miguel has earned his BA from CSU Fresno, and currently continues making work about conservation, self educating and travelling to further understand the importance of these ecosystems. His lifelong goals are to uphold a successful career as a practicing contemporary artist, own his own gallery, influence his art community, become an educator in higher education, and dedicate himself to lifelong learning,      Through his self-guided exploration, Miguel not only advocates for aquatic conservation but also demonstrates that individual passions can thrive, even in the most unlikely of environments.