Student Spotlight
UH Law Center Student Matthew Nieto Wins $10K Scholarship for AI- Energy Law Research
University of Houston Law Center second-year student Matthew Nieto.
June 4, 2026—University of Houston Law Center second-year student Matthew Nieto has been awarded the Susan L. Bickley Memorial Scholarship for his paper, “Algorithmic Power: Same Game, Faster Tempo.” His work examines how AI is reshaping wholesale electricity markets and highlights the legal challenges of regulating emerging technologies while preserving fairness, accountability, and grid reliability.
“This topic stood out to me because AI is already beginning to shape critical infrastructure and market decision making, yet there is still relatively little legal scholarship addressing how existing energy law frameworks should respond,” Nieto said.
In addition to the $10,000 scholarship, Nieto presented his paper at the 10th Annual North American Conference: “From Port to Power Grid: Energy Infrastructure, Demand, and the Path Forward,” in April. The event was sponsored by Blank Rome, the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Center at UHLC, UH Energy and Gina S. Warren, co-director of the EENR Center.
Presenting his work to scholars and professionals at the conference was both challenging and rewarding, Nieto said. “It was definitely a little nerve-racking, but also really exciting — the experience reminded me how valuable it is to take work that begins in the classroom and share it in a broader professional setting,” he said.
Nieto said Professor Warren’s Hot Topics in Energy Law seminar was a pivotal influence on his research. Entering the class with limited exposure to the field, he quickly became engaged in exploring complex and evolving energy-related issues.
“AI is still such a new and developing area — it felt like a topic where there was a lot to learn and where the legal questions were only becoming more significant,” he said.
His academic work aligns closely with his long-term interest in regulatory and energy law. Growing up around industrial plants and influenced by his parents’ careers as chemical engineers, Nieto developed an early appreciation for the industries that shape daily life. “I am drawn to legal work involving regulation, policy, and industries with broad public impact,” he said.
Studying in Houston, a global energy hub and one of the top legal markets in the U.S., Nieto said he foresees future opportunities to contribute to conversations that balance innovation and sustainability. He encouraged fellow students to embrace challenges and trust their resilience. “The ability to keep going, adapt, and grow through difficult moments is one of the most important strengths a law student can have,” he said.
Q&A with Matthew Nieto
How important do you think it is for law students to engage in scholarly writing and public-facing legal discussions?
MN: I think it is extremely important for law students to engage in both scholarly writing and public-facing legal discussions. Doing so strengthens the research, analytical, and communication skills that are central to legal practice, but it also pushes students to think about how legal issues affect the world beyond the classroom.
As a student studying law in Houston, how do you see the city’s role shaping discussions around energy and sustainability?
MN: Houston is often described as the Energy Capital of the world, and I think that makes it an especially important place to study these issues. Having lived around Houston for most of my life, I have seen how central the energy industry is to the region’s identity, economy, and growth.
What advice would you give to other UH Law Center students who are considering applying for competitive scholarships or submitting scholarly work?
MN: My advice would be to start early, stay curious, and not be afraid to pursue a topic that feels challenging. I also think it is important to talk with professors, both to develop your ideas and to learn about scholarship or writing opportunities you may not know exist.
Nieto, winner of the Susan L. Bickley Memorial Scholarship, receives his award from Gina S. Warren, co-director of UHLC’s Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Center.
