A rising junior at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Yates studies Environmental Science and Geography with a minor in Marine Science.
He focuses his studies on environmenal processes, mostly studying hydrology and water-related issues, but also takes classes and does research in climatology and environmental processes, with a special interest in dendrology. He hopes to one day attend graduate school, then teach and do research centering around water rights and climate change.
In his limited free time, Yates enjoys movies, cohosting a Podcast with his cousin, This Podcast is Rated P. True to his brand, he also enjoys hiking, backpacking, skiing, and kayaking, with his two dogs, Sunny and Kona. He is an avid hobbyist photographer, and enjoys taking his camera with him whenever he goes on an outdoor adventure. Growing up, Yates was a boy scout who obtained his Eagle Scout award and is an avid baseball fan.