Nicholas grew up in Los Angeles, California. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara double majoring in Philosophy and Global Studies. He subsequently provided research and development and project management services for environmental justice-focused non-profit organizations and community groups in Santa Barbara and in Oakland, California. 

For many years now, he has split his time between California and Iceland. In Iceland, he manages an organically certified, family farm which produces and direct markets a wide variety of vegetables for restaurants, families, and canteens. At UC Davis he is working toward the completion of an M.S. degree in International Agricultural Development, specializing in crop science/systems and a PhD in Geography specializing in agri-food systems. He works as a research assistant in the Galt lab and at the Agricultural Sustainability Institute. He has been a teaching assistant in the departments of Plant Sciences and Community and Regional Development. He has been an instructor at UCD and at the University of Iceland for courses in food systems, rural geography, world regional geography, and landscape and energy production. In his work in agricultural extension and development, he is interested in working with farmers who seek help balancing the economic and ecological aspects of production within their particular agronomic and socioeconomic contexts.