Spring 2026 graduates of the (GES) undergraduate program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa took with them a bachelor鈥檚 degree and real-world, hands-on experiences with research that benefits communities and ecosystems in Hawaiʻi and far beyond.

Through the GES program in the at the 东精影业 Mānoa (SOEST), students including Makana Andrade and Micah Soriano, engaged in original research, wrote a senior thesis and presented their findings at a research symposium.

“I congratulate all our spring graduates on successfully completing their required faculty-mentored thesis experience,” said Michael Guidry, chair of the GES Program. “As with all our GES graduates and their thesis work, Makana鈥檚 and Micah鈥檚 findings demonstrate how the research efforts of 东精影业 Mānoa undergraduates provide new insights and solutions to important issues and train the next generation of problem solvers.”

Makana Andrade

Andrade was born and raised on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. During his second year of transfer to 东精影业 Mānoa, he started working on his thesis with his mentor, Travis Idol, associate professor in the in the 东精影业 Mānoa . His thesis focused on the response of Acacia koaia, a tree endemic to Hawaiʻi, to nursery practices done on similar species, specifically Acacia koa. Andrade鈥檚 study examined koaiʻa’s growth patterns from seed to seedling to determine its preferred soil type, nutrient uptake, and watering requirements, in an effort to ensure they are readily available for population revitalization.

After graduation, Andrade hopes to continue pursuing his passion for the conservation of Hawaiian endemic species and working in the wilderness.

Micah Soriano

As a GES student with a passion for chemistry, Soriano reached out to SOEST oceanography professor Nick Hawco and joined the Hawco Lab the summer after his sophomore year. Since then, Soriano has helped with various projects, gaining valuable experience. For his senior research thesis, Soriano explored how vitamin B12 availability in the Southern Ocean limits how effectively diatoms, a type of phytoplankton, can process and use essential metals for growth.

After graduation, he plans to work for a year or two before continuing his academic studies.

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University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 graduating senior Emily Josefina Velasquez had full-ride scholarship offers closer to home. Instead, Velasquez, who came to Hawaiʻi from Mozambique, chose 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 for its culture of environmental stewardship and community-centered science.

Among the more than 2,500 graduates in 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 spring 2026 commencement ceremonies, Velasquez may have traveled the farthest to reach the islands. Her journey from Mozambique in southeastern Africa to Hawaiʻi spans approximately 12,000 miles, one of the longest possible distances between two points on Earth. She said Hawaiʻi immediately felt familiar in their connections between environment, culture and community.

“I wanted to study somewhere where the love and the passion for the environment and environmental science wasn鈥檛 separate from everyday life and kind of just ingrained within the culture,” she said.

Her family is expected to travel to Hawaiʻi to attend commencement. Velasquez said she told them that they didn鈥檛 have to make the trip, but they insisted on coming, and she said she is excited to welcome them to Hawaiʻi to watch her graduate.

Raised across continents

A major in the , Velasquez was born in California before moving with her family to Nigeria at 3 months old. She later lived in Ecuador and Mozambique as her father worked on international shipping port development projects.

Before arriving in Hawaiʻi, Velasquez said she was searching for a university where science extended beyond the classroom. It was her high school English teacher at the American International School of Mozambique鈥攚here she graduated as the valedictorian鈥攚ho told her what he knew about 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补.

“You can take a biology class, and they鈥檒l teach you the same things, but it鈥檚 all about how it鈥檚 implemented,” she said. “I wanted to learn not only how the ecosystem works, but how it鈥檚 integrated within the community and the culture.”

‘I had a purpose being here’

She said 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 emphasis on environmental stewardship reminded her of the collectivist cultures she experienced growing up in Mozambique and Ecuador.

“I felt like the Hawaiian epistemology and the way the culture just so resembles what I grew up in,” she said.

At 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, Velasquez immersed herself in research opportunities across multiple disciplines. Her work has included invasive algae research in the Gal谩pagos Islands, invasive species studies at and marine carbon dioxide removal research through the . She has received funding and a scholarship through to present research on invasive species in Portugal.

Meet more amazing 东精影业 graduates

“I was just extremely busy doing things,” Velasquez said. “Joining the sailing team and joining organizations and work definitely made it not feel like I was so far away from home, but that all the work I was doing here was meaningful and like I had a purpose being here.”

Finding community in Hawaiʻi

Velasquez said the transition to Hawaiʻi was made easier through friendships she built at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, especially with her roommate, an international student from Switzerland and Brazil.

“Knowing that both our families are on the complete opposite side of the world, we were always there for each other,” she said.

Although she is graduating a year early, Velasquez said she plans to take time to reconnect with family and community in Mozambique before pursuing graduate school.

I haven’t gone back home for almost the entire time I鈥檝e been here. I need to return, not just to my family but to my other community, to reconnect and reflect on why I chose this path and where everything I鈥檝e learned can do the most good. Honestly, home is a complicated word for me since it’s not just where my family is but where I can show up, contribute, belong and wherever my curiosity takes me next.

Looking back on her time at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, Velasquez said the university shaped both her scientific perspective and her understanding of responsibility as a researcher.

“It definitely has shaped me to become the kind of scientist that I want to become,” she said. “It showed me that science and cultural knowledge do not exist separately.”

After moving from the Philippines to Waipahu at age seven, Sean Michael Valencia Monte arrived at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 with a clear mission: to transform his passion for microbial research into a career in environmental conservation. Building on award-winning Waipahu High School research in soil science, Monte joined the (GES) program in the (SOEST).

Since joining SOEST, Monte has been a part of research in various fields. In summer 2024, Monte participated in the Hollings Preparation Program, working with the NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office on Hawaiian monk seal conservation. While assisting in pup taggings and conducting watches was exciting, his real takeaway was the human connections.

“The most important thing I learned was how to effectively engage with the public,” Monte shared. “I learned how to communicate science in a way that prioritizes both human safety and animal welfare.”

Transformative experiences

In summer 2025, he was selected as part of a five-student cohort that revived the 东精影业 Blue Water Marine Lab Program. Aboard the 东精影业 research vessel Kaunana, Monte gained hands-on training in plankton tows, marine mammal surveys, and the deployment of autonomous water sampling technology. And, through the National Student Exchange, he attended California State University, Monterey Bay for a semester.

“Spending a semester away from home taught me how much growth can come from the people you meet and the places you experience,” Monte shared. “I met incredible international students from France, Germany, Norway and Japan. Traveling across California and nearby states helped me gain independence and confidence. The experiences that I received proved to be transformative.”

Building connections and looking ahead

At 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, Monte is part of the SOEST Maile Mentor Bridge Program, which pairs undergraduate students with near-peer mentors.

“Through my Maile Mentor, Raffi Isah, I was able to connect with and secure GES thesis mentors, and the program has given me a space to share my goals, challenges and experiences with others who understand the demands of SOEST and are motivated by similar interests,” Monte said.

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University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa alumna Lauryn Hansen can pinpoint the moment she realized she could turn her passion for the environment into a career, beginning a journey that would eventually lead her to dive deep into the intricate links between ocean and human health.

“My high school history teacher showed our class a clip of a late-night talk show where lobbyists in powerful positions chatted about their stance on climate regulation,” said Hansen. “It was the first time I really thought about how the world worked—and how often people making the biggest decisions may not act in the public’s best interest. That was an ‘aha’ moment for me: realizing that I could channel my deep care and interest in the environment into a career.”

That realization led Hansen, who grew up in California and the Pacific Northwest, to 东精影业 Mānoa. She enrolled in the (GES) bachelor’s degree program in the (SOEST).

For her GES senior thesis, Hansen worked with Robert Richmond at the Kewalo Marine Laboratory to investigate how exposure to PFAS, a type of “forever chemical,” influenced different phases of the coral life cycle. This project sparked a strong interest in toxicology and contamination, which ultimately steered her toward pursuing a bachelor’s and master’s (BAM) combined degree in public health at 东精影业 Mānoa.

“The transition to public health ended up being a really natural fit,” Hansen said.

Linking research and community

Now, as an with the 东精影业 Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant), Hansen is focusing on coastal marine resource management related to contaminants of emerging concern, such as forever chemicals, pesticides and microplastics. She collaborates with researchers, water quality managers and government agencies to improve local monitoring and management of these contaminants.

In addition to her research, Hansen contributes to 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补’s efforts to become a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning. After completing Cohort Kaulua, a professional development program, she became a trained Pilina Circle co-facilitator to support spaces for reflection and connection among the campus community.

Looking ahead, Hansen plans to continue working in environmental health with a focus on outreach.

“What matters most to me is being in a role where I can take research beyond the ‘ivory tower’—working with people, shaping conversations, and helping create solutions that make a real difference,” Hansen said.

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Spring 2025 graduates of the (GES) undergraduate program at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 took with them a bachelor鈥檚 degree and real-world, hands-on experiences with research that benefits communities and ecosystems in Hawaiʻi and beyond. Through the GES program in the at the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 , students like , engage in original research, write a senior thesis, and present their findings at a research symposium.

From astrobiology to environmental science

Born and raised in ʻAiea, Jacang would often go snorkeling with his uncle. Jacang started his college career as an astronomy major but during his sophomore year, an astrobiology course helped him rediscover his long-held interest in fish and environmental science, prompting him to pursue the GES degree.

Jacang knew he wanted to focus his senior research project on loko iʻa (Hawaiian fishponds), ecology, and fish. He connected with Bradley (Kai) Fox, aquaculture extension specialist at Hawaiʻi Sea Grant. Jacang pursued a project focused on evaluating fish hatcheries as a tool for fish recruitment for loko iʻa.

Connecting Hawaiʻi鈥檚 ecosystems and Indigenous knowledge

“For me, learning about loko iʻa and the ahupuaʻa system, which encompasses the mountains to the sea, was the most interesting component of my project,” Jacang said. “Native Hawaiians having an intimate connection with the ʻāina and building their natural resource management around it allowed them to live sustainably pre-contact. Loko iʻa themselves are one component of the ahupuaʻa system, and I鈥檝e learned about the interconnectedness of different food systems within an ahupuaʻa, for example loko iʻa and dryland kalo. Overall, I think it is important that these systems are restored and maintained, as they are an important part of Hawaiian culture and a way to strengthen our food security and food sovereignty.”

A summer internship with KUPU, a local nonprofit, further cemented Jacang鈥檚 connection to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 ecosystems and Indigenous knowledge. Internship participants went to various locations on O鈥榓hu where organizations are focused on island sustainability. They helped with weeding, preparing kalo patches, or fishing out invasive species. Jacang shared that this experience was enriched by learning the historical and cultural significance of the sites they worked on.

Through his participation in the Maile Mentoring Bridge Program, Jacang found invaluable support and practical advice from Shaun Wriston, lead oceanographic technician for the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System, who is also a GES alumni.

“It was great to know that someone had experienced what I was going through during my college journey and I would definitely recommend the program,” said Jacang.

After graduation, Jacang will mainly focus on gaining experience within conservation and aquatic resource management, with hopes of eventually working with the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.

“I commend and congratulate our graduates for successfully completing their required faculty-mentored thesis experience,” said Michael Guidry, chair of the GES Program. “Kade did a fantastic job finding a thesis project and mentor that fit his interests. His research results are important contributions to the ongoing, extensive efforts to revitalize and reinvigorate local food production; especially via loko iʻa. I look forward to seeing his future achievements in, and contributions to, conservation and resource management.”

–By Marcie Grabowski

Spring 2025 graduates of the (GES) undergraduate program at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 took with them a bachelor鈥檚 degree and real-world, hands-on experiences with research that benefits communities and ecosystems in Hawaiʻi and beyond. Through the GES program in the at the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 (SOEST), students including , engage in original research, write a senior thesis, and present their findings at a research symposium.

Connecting passion and purpose

Arends moved to Hawaiʻi in 2018 and attended Kalaheo High School in Kailua. She always felt a deep connection to the ocean and spent much of her time freediving, scuba diving, open water swimming, tidepooling, surfing and studying marine life. When looking at undergraduate programs, Arends was drawn to the GES program because of its broad and interdisciplinary scope, with courses in oceanography, atmospheric science and geology.

“I also admired the program鈥檚 rigor, especially the requirement to complete an undergraduate senior thesis, which I saw as an opportunity to grow as an independent scientist and gain meaningful experience in environmental research,” Arends said.

Cutting-edge coral research

For her GES senior thesis research, Arends worked with Rob Toonen at the in SOEST, who she had connected with through a “Learning through internships” course at Kalaheo High School years prior. Her GES thesis research aimed to better understand the evolutionary history of a thermally resilient coral, Leptastrea purpurea and improve the use of this coral in place-based restoration efforts in Hawaiʻi.

“One of the most enjoyable parts of this research project was the fieldwork freediving in Kāneʻohe Bay to collect Leptastrea colonies,” Arends said. “It was also very rewarding to see the project through from hands-on collection of these corals to DNA extraction and bioinformatics analysis.”

Arends presented findings from this work at Reef Futures 2024, an international conference for reef restoration, in Cancun, Mexico.

“Being part of cutting-edge research and a supportive scientific community has been the most meaningful aspect of my time at SOEST,” Arends said. “Through my senior thesis, I鈥檝e had the opportunity to present at conferences and gain valuable fieldwork and independent research experience, all of which helped me grow as a young scientist. Participating in research cruises with the Hawaiʻi Ocean Time-Series Program and Hadal Water Column Profiler group aboard the R/V Kilo Moana has been especially memorable.”

While living at sea for weeks with classmates, professors, and professionals, Arends built lasting relationships and was inspired to pursue a graduate degree. She will continue her journey in academia next year with SOEST, pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in the Department of Oceanography with the Deep Sea Ecology Lab.

“I congratulate Tyra for accomplishing so much as an undergraduate student,” said Michael Guidry, chair of the GES Program. “She exemplifies the proactive approach students can take at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 in shaping their futures and having an immediate, positive impact on 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 environment through their degree-required thesis experience. Additionally, she always found the time to assist and mentor other GES students in whatever way she could. Her graduating class was another in a long line of many strong cohorts that over time has helped shepherd and propagate the GES Program鈥檚 strong, supportive student-driven culture.”

—By Marcie Grabowski

Spring 2025 graduates of the (GES) undergraduate program at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 took with them a bachelor鈥檚 degree and real-world, hands-on experiences with research that benefits communities and ecosystems in Hawaiʻi and beyond. Through the GES program in the at the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 (SOEST), students such as new graduate Ian Chung engage in original research, write a senior thesis and present their findings at a research symposium.

“I commend and congratulate our graduates for successfully completing their required faculty-mentored thesis experience,” said Michael Guidry, chair of the GES program. “Ian鈥檚 research regarding microplastics deposition on Oʻahu is a perfect example of what is accomplished by combining talented and dedicated students with cutting-edge research opportunities and quality faculty mentorship at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补. Our graduates are well prepared for their next steps either in the workforce or professional/graduate school, and I eagerly look forward to seeing their future successful endeavors.”

Drive to promote sustainability

Growing up in Makakilo and Kapolei, Chung spent a lot of time frequenting beaches and hiking, and developed an appreciation for the island鈥檚 natural beauty and the sense of peace it offers him.

Before joining SOEST, he enrolled at Kapiʻolani Community College, attending classes part-time and working in Waik墨k墨鈥檚 restaurant industry. This chapter of his academic journey sparked his interest in pursuing a degree in science and clarified a desire to attain the knowledge and tools to be a benefit to his community by promoting environmental sustainability. This led him to SOEST鈥檚 GES program.

Connecting microplastics and the weather

For Chung鈥檚 senior research thesis, he worked with Associate Professor Alison Nugent to investigate atmospheric microplastic deposition rates in an urban and suburban setting on Oʻahu. The team used a simple collection tool to collect atmospheric particles as they settle onto the ground. Through a time-intensive process, Chung counted the plastic particles in each sample.

“The most interesting part of my research was finding the relationship between selected weather variables and microplastic deposition rates,” said Chung. “Our data suggest that population density, and wind speed and direction play a role in facilitating the dispersal of microplastics from urban areas to remote locations. We also see that during periods of relatively high precipitation, microplastic deposition was always reduced.”

Beyond gaining insights into the drivers of atmospheric microplastic deposition, this research project helped Chung discover that he enjoys coding and using other analytical tools to describe observed events.

“I hope to continue to expand my knowledge of these tools and skills to better utilize them in the future,” Chung said. “Society has such an impact on the environment. My journey in GES and work on this project showed me where I can take action to contribute the greatest benefit. This wouldn鈥檛 have been such a positive experience without the help of Dr. Nugent, Andrew Garma and Tianqi Zuo.”

Looking ahead, Chung hopes to eventually pursue a degree in urban planning to help craft sustainable policies. For now, his focus is on entering the workforce in a sustainability-related role, continuing their mission to protect and preserve Hawaiʻi鈥檚 natural environment.

—By Marcie Grabowski

As a kid, Maya Singh heard from her family stories about the ocean and land in Fiji that inspired her passion for the outdoors and, ultimately, for environmental science.

“I grew up in British Columbia, Canada, but my family is from Fiji,” said Singh, who will be graduating this month from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in (GES). “My grandpa would tell me stories of him and his brothers catching shrimp outside and playing in the ocean and rivers. It really inspired me to want to live closer to the ocean.”

With a passion for the environment and ocean, Singh moved to Hawaiʻi after graduating high school to pursue a degree at the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 . For her senior research, Singh worked with mentor and Assistant Prof. to support coastal management and preservation on 尝腻苍补ʻ颈. She developed a beach carrying capacity tool to determine the maximum number of visitors a beach can hold without surpassing the limits of acceptable environmental or social change at the beach.

As the culmination of this research effort, Singh wrote a senior thesis and presented her findings at the Spring 2025 GES Symposium, a showcase of the research conducted by graduating GES students.

“This tool was developed as a means to understand the changes at the beach and how we can best preserve the beach for future generations,” said Singh. “The thing I enjoy most about conducting this research is being able to work with the community and make a difference. Talking to the local community in the field and connecting with high school students to share the research we are conducting and why it’s important is very fulfilling.”

Meet more amazing 东精影业 spring graduates

Supported by funding from the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 , Singh also worked with Keiko Wilkins, a doctoral candidate in Bob Richmond鈥檚 research group at , to investigate how plastic pollution threatens marine ecosystems. Specifically, she tested the effects of microplastics on sea urchin fertilization. Singh also assisted with collecting and preparing coral samples for Wilkins鈥檚 dissertation research on microplastic effects on corals in the Pacific Ocean.

The academic and research experiences Singh has had through the GES program have solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in Hawaiʻi in environmental science after graduation. Eventually, she hopes to continue with her education by working toward a graduate degree in oceanography.

—By Marcie Grabowski

In high school, Maggie Chen realized she had the power to choose a career that allowed her to fight for the environment she grew up loving. After graduating from Mililani High School, that passion and care brought her to the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (GES) bachelor鈥檚 program.

“I wanted to dedicate my career to caring for the land that has provided for me my whole life.” — Maggie Chen

Born on Oʻahu and raised in Central Oʻahu, Chen always had a great appreciation for the beauty of nature and wildlife, but learning about climate change and the detrimental environmental impacts of human activities cemented her commitment to protect what she loves.

“The concept of aloha ʻ腻颈苍补, or taking care of the land, was instilled in me throughout high school, and I decided that four-hour weekend work days with my environmental club weren鈥檛 going to cut it for me,” said Chen, who is in her second year of the GES program in the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 (SOEST). “I wanted to dedicate my career to caring for the land that has provided for me my whole life. So, here I am in SOEST learning how to do just that.”

From land to sea

In summer 2024, Chen was selected for the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC) program. During the 10-week program, she worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration鈥檚 (NOAA) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) at the Inouye Regional Center on Ford Island, where she was introduced to fisheries science, specifically fish life history, which assesses fish age, growth and reproduction.

“I was assigned to two amazing mentors, Dr. Eva Schemmel from NOAA and Dr. Eileen Nalley from Hawaiʻi Sea Grant,” Chen shared. “I was fascinated to learn how much work goes into managing our fisheries, because while I love eating fish, I never really thought about the work that goes on to keep our fisheries sustainable and well-documented.”

Through her fellowship research, Chen processed samples of otoliths, or fish ear bones, from gindai, one species of the , the seven most culturally important and highly valued of the deep-water bottomfish species in Hawaiian waters. She also helped process samples of billfish, such as blue marlin, striped marlin and swordfish, for the International Billfish Biological Sampling program. Working at the NOAA facilities afforded Chen a variety of other experiences, such as visiting a tuna auction, watching a turtle necropsy, participating in monk seal watches, touring the NOAA ships and networking opportunities.

“Maggie has become a valued member of our team and goes above and beyond to contribute to all types of lab tasks, including fish biosampling processing and participating in community and public engagement events,” said Schemmel. “Her attention to detail and passion has shown through in her work. In fact, she has become an expert otolith processor, perhaps the best on our team, and we hope to continue to work with her in the future.”

Progress on research and career path

Now, as an undergraduate fisheries research assistant with Nalley, Chen is continuing the gindai life history project she began during the internship.

Chen expects to graduate in the spring of 2027 and hopes to pursue graduate school, and then ultimately her dream position as a biologist at NOAA.

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—By Marcie Grabowski

Eight undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 experienced an all-expenses-paid research trip of a lifetime—spending eight weeks in summer 2024 immersed in the Galápagos Islands. They engaged in mentored research via a transformational journey that promoted deep connections to ʻ腻颈苍补 (land/sea), k膩naka (people) communities and m膩lama ʻ腻颈苍补 (stewardship of places and people).

Creighton Litton, professor, (UROP) director, and one of the eight 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 faculty members who designed and implemented the program over the past two years, said, “Mentored research opportunities for undergraduate students is a high impact practice that provides myriad benefits to students, mentors, our campus and our islands as a whole. This is an innovative program—possible via a strong collaboration with the (CDF) in Galápagos, and engagement by multiple faculty from across the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 campus—that provides our students with transformative learning experiences in research science within a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning context.”

More than 80 students applied, and 12 were invited to enroll in a new spring course on island invasion biology to provide a base of knowledge for their mentored research projects. Eight traveled to the Gal谩pagos and four conducted research in Hawaiʻi.

Students developed research proposals in spring 2024 with mentors from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and CDF. The collaborative mentorship approach allowed students to develop their research skills while contributing to real-world scientific questions. During the summer, the traveling students were housed at the CDF research station in the Galápagos, where they conducted their research projects focused on island invasion biology.

During the summer experience, students wrote research papers on every aspect of the scientific process, including literature review, data collection and analysis, conclusions and the socioecological implications of their findings. Each student also crafted a personal, contemporary kaʻao (epic story, tale) to document their experiences, from their hua (initial inspiration) to their haʻalele (preparing for the journey) to the huakaʻi (journey) to the hoʻina (reintegration) back into their on- and off-campus communities.

Important invasive species research

Matthew Kahokuloa鈥檚 project involved assessing plant diversity after the reintroduction of giant tortoises on Santa Fé Island.

“Being my first time leaving Hawaiʻi, it was amazing to experience the biodiversity and ecology of another archipelago鈥檚 ecosystem,” Kahokuloa said. “This trip provided me with invaluable field experience, especially in terms of working in remote environments and applying research methods.”

Emily Josefina Velasquez studied the impacts of Caulerpa racemosa (species of edible green alga) on sand dwelling benthic invertebrates (small aquatic animals that live on the bottom of bodies of water) in the Gal谩pagos.

“You couldn鈥檛 walk for 10 minutes without running into a lounging iguana, sea bird, or sea lion, and we were always close to the ocean.” — Nicole Buyukacar

“The Galápagos was a place where my personal growth as an individual thrived and reaffirmed my passion and drive to work in academia,” Velasquez said. “It’s an unforgettable experience. You鈥檙e immersed in your project, living, breathing, and dreaming about it. I was surrounded by scientists from diverse backgrounds, and living and working in an environment where everyone shares a passion for understanding the world around them.”

Nicole Buyukacar鈥檚 project was about the developmental dynamics and temperature sensitivity of the avian vampire fly.

“The most remarkable thing about the town we worked in, Puerto Ayora, was the abundance of wildlife living right there on our doorstep all the time,” Buyukacar said. “You couldn鈥檛 walk for 10 minutes without running into a lounging iguana, sea bird, or sea lion, and we were always close to the ocean. The experience was an incredible blend of learning to integrate academically and socially into a completely different place while constantly being in awe of the natural beauty and learning to understand the reason why it all needs to be protected.”

The students presented their research and kaʻao products at the CDF research station and at the UROP SURE Symposium. Most students are continuing to work with their mentors to produce peer-reviewed journal publications.

This unique opportunity is the result of a collaboration between 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and CDF and is funded by the National Science Foundation–International Research Experiences for Students ($300,000 grant), the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Provost鈥檚 Office to align the overall program with the campus goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning ($100,000) and the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship ($80,000). The funds will make the program available to 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 undergraduate students for at least the next two years.

For more information, .

—By Marc Arakaki

When asked where she is from, Malia Martin shared, “I鈥檓 born, raised, and rooted in the mokupuni of Oʻahu, specifically in the Ewa moku and the ahupuaʻa of Honouliuli.” As an undergraduate student in the (GES) program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Martin is merging her love and respect for place, care for community, and passion for science.

“I decided to pursue GES because it allows me to expand my interests, in not only biology or engineering or physics, but to feel the freedom to try new things and see where my interests lie,” Martin said. “Through the program, I have been able to study plankton, bottomfish fisheries, engineering, coral ecology, and ocean chemistry.”

While she was a student at James Campbell High School, Martin was president of the school鈥檚 STEM Enrichment Club, which competed in Science Olympiad, Science Bowl and more. Immediately after high school, she interned with the nonprofit group Kupu in their Hawaiʻi Youth Conservation Corps and found her first love: ʻāina.

Diving into fisheries science

After starting her college career at and being drawn to oceanography, Martin worked with professor Donn Viviani and spent nearly three years sorting, counting, and identifying fish larvae sampled from Kanēʻohe Bay. In Viviani鈥檚 lab, she connected with NOAA researcher Don Kobayashi, who introduced her to NOAA鈥檚 (PYSO) and NOAA鈥檚 .

During the PYSO internship in summer 2022, Martin created an artificial light prototype to aid deep sea underwater camera surveys. This was developed to directly help with the Bottomfish Fishery-Independent Survey in Hawaiʻi (BFISH).

“Through this program, I was able to gain experience in marine engineering by learning and utilizing Computer-Aided Design, 3D printing, soldering, and more,” Martin said.

In 2023, Martin transferred from Leeward CC to 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 (SOEST) and enrolled in the GES program. For her GES undergraduate research thesis, Martin extended her PYSO project and is mentored by 东精影业 Mānoa oceanographer Jeffrey Drazen and NOAA senior marine scientist Benjamin Richards. Martin鈥檚 research is investigating how the artificial lights might affect the behavior of the , the seven most culturally important and highly valued of the deep-water bottomfish species in Hawaiʻi. She will be presenting preliminary results of this work at the American Fisheries Society meeting in September.

“Guaranteeing that the Deep 7 Bottomfish can be fished for years to come without them being overexploited will allow Hawaiʻi residents to catch their own fish and create stronger food security for islanders, a step toward Kanaka autonomy,” Martin said.

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–By Marcie Grabowski

As a child, Miss Hawaiʻi Volunteer 2024 Makenna Kinsler first became aware of the hardships in her island home when she walked through Kakaʻako with her mom to help the homeless. Now a double major at the , Kinsler is still impacted by that experience.

“Seeing those vulnerable parts of our community that needed upliftment was really eye-opening,” Kinsler recalls. “I always remember to be grateful and give back where I can because recognizing what I have made me want to help others.”

Driven by her dedication to serve, Kinsler participated in , a scholarship program that promotes community service, academic excellence and leadership. Raised in 惭腻苍辞补 Valley and educated at La Pietra School for Girls, she remains closely connected to her community, from working knee-deep in loʻi kalo (taro patches) to m膩lama ʻ腻颈苍补 (care for the land) to feeding the hungry.

Merging science with ʻike Hawaiʻi (Indigenous knowledge)

Kinsler is pursuing degrees in and and is determined to merge both disciplines into her future career as an urban planner. Her vision is to create communities that are sustainable, resilient and rooted in Hawaiian values.

“In Hawaiʻi, we give a lot of importance to places and wahi (locations). I鈥檓 taking an ahupuaʻa (land division) class right now and it鈥檚 an interesting perspective of how we can model our communities today looking at the urban side of balancing nature and city as Hawaiʻi really rapidly grows our population,” said Kinsler.

• Related 东精影业 News story: Miss Hawaiʻi Teen Volunteer developed platform at 东精影业 West Oʻahu, June 21, 2024

Pioneer professors

Currently, Kinsler is immersed in researching climate change impacts for her global environmental science thesis. She finds inspiration from professors at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 who are leading innovative projects addressing challenges such as sea level rise in the islands.

“It鈥檚 really cool to be in the same room as the pioneers of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 future and just seeing firsthand all the cool projects that they鈥檙e working on,” Kinsler said.

Hula is life

Kinsler said she is grateful for the opportunity to have stayed in Hawaiʻi for college, not only because it鈥檚 just blocks from her home, but it ensures she can continue another long-standing passion, hula.

The trained ʻ艒lapa (dancer) has studied under kumu hula Hiwa Vaughan and H膩lau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine since she was five. Kinsler has competed in the Merrie Monarch Festival two times, and she performed a hula for the talent portion of the Miss Volunteer America pageant in Tennessee this summer.

“Hula is such a big pillar of my life,” Kinsler said. “I really just wanted to transport people to Hawaiʻi and show my love.”

This fall at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, Kinsler plans to apply for the or BAM program, which enables students to start on their master鈥檚 during their senior year.

A two-day symposium offering professional and personal development opportunities was organized by oceanography graduate students, Victoria Assad and Liz Miller, and hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the . The Breakthroughs: Uehiro and Oceanography Yearly Symposium included students sharing their latest research and discoveries, a career panel, and community-building workshop centered around how the brain experiences grief in March.

Graduate students presented research talks covering novel research methods, ecology in coral reefs and the deep sea, human impact on coastal ecosystems, and physical, chemical and biological dynamics in the open ocean. Undergraduate students from the program presented their research in a poster session for the attendees which included researchers, faculty and students.

Showcasing career pathways

Professional development officers of the oceanography graduate student organization Nā Kama Kai, Christina Comfort and Kyle Conner, organized a careers workshop. They facilitated a discussion on opportunities beyond academia for marine scientists with a panel of people including researchers and administrators in academia, government agencies and non-profit organizations.

“I think the most important part of these types of panels is normalizing wiggly career paths,” said oceanography graduate student Gabrielle Stedman. “It is important for students to be reassured that they are in the right place and there is no such thing as an ‘efficient’ career path.”

Connecting through a common loss

Assad and Stedman had been friends and colleagues for several years and after they each lost their fathers—Assad鈥檚 in May 2022 and Stedman鈥檚 in December 2023—the two connected on a deeper level.

“Gabby reached out to me to learn how to navigate this and the grief process, and I recommended the book The Grieving Brain by Mary Frances O’Connor, which comes at grief from a neuroscience perspective,” said Assad. “I really could have benefitted from knowing earlier on what is detailed in the book—that grief isn鈥檛 as simple as five stages and is a continual process of re-wiring expectations—and learning why my brain was processing or changing the way it was.”

The two students decided they wanted to share this information with the rest of the department during the community workshop at the symposium.

“I not only heard from Victoria about her grief, but in reaching out for help, I learned of at least five other students around me who had experienced intense grief in graduate school,” said Stedman. “I was pretty shocked by how common grief is and felt it was important for graduate students and the greater department to make space for these conversations.”

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–By Marcie Grabowski

Undergraduates at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa were inspired to build a giant antenna to explore hundreds of miles above the planet. The antenna, known as an ionosonde, project began after a lecture from Professor Giuseppe Torri about phenomena that can occur in the ionosphere, one of the highest layers of the Earth’s atmosphere.

The ionosphere plays an important role in radio transmission. Any disturbance in this region, such as those caused by the Sun (solar flares, geomagnetic storms, etc.), can severely affect radio transmissions and cause blackouts. Undergraduate students Arianna Corry, Emily Harris, Kyra Dyer and Grace McCoy, in the 东精影业 Mānoa (SOEST), teamed up to embark on a research journey to try and better understand this region.

“Some of us are long-time sci-fi fans—especially of the amazing work of Arthur Clarke—and we wanted a name that could encapsulate the sense of adventure that we all experienced reading the books that we love so much,” said Corry, who will be graduating this semester with a degree in atmospheric sciences and will start a master鈥檚 degree program at SOEST in the fall. “When Giuseppe mentioned that the branch of atmospheric science that studies the upper layers of the atmosphere is called ‘aeronomy,’ we immediately thought about the name Aeronauts.”

Getting their hands dirty

Certain radio signals emitted by various sources on the planet, such as over-the-horizon radars, are reflected back to Earth鈥檚 surface by the ionosphere.

“The ionosonde is essentially a sophisticated radio that allows us to pick up these signals and, through some complicated mathematics, reconstruct the altitude at which they were reflected,” said Harris, who is an undergraduate student.

With funding from the 东精影业 Mānoa and Torri as their mentor, the students developed a project to build an ionosonde modeled from a design implemented and tested by Jens Floberg of UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

“It鈥檚 been a lot of fun learning about topics of the ionosphere, radio propagation, and GPS applications in class and on our own digging through academic literature and scientific forums,” said Dyer, who graduated in spring 2024 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree. “But to actually get our hands dirty and ‘see’ the ionosphere was a completely different experience that brought our appreciation for science to a completely different level.”

“Each of these extraordinary students has different skills that they bring to the table, and over the months they have been really great at interacting and leveraging each other’s skills in a collaborative and extremely productive way,” said Torri.

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–By Marcie Grabowski

Fred T. Mackenzie, a renowned University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa ocean and Earth systems scientist and friend to many worldwide, died on January 3, at the age of 89 surrounded by his family after a long battle with several illnesses.

Mackenzie had an illustrious career that spanned decades and took him around the globe. In 1981, he accepted a position at 东精影业 Mānoa where he conducted research, taught courses and mentored students in the until 2008 when he retired and became a professor emeritus of oceanography. Much has been written about the breadth of his scientific contributions, but he was most proud of founding the in the (SOEST), the first of its kind in the U.S.

Mackenzie was a treasured friend, respected professor, and mentor to hundreds of students, many of whom he remained close to over the years, and now have their own distinguished careers and have recognized and honored his contributions to their lives.

“Fred Mackenzie was an exemplar of the faculty we cherish at 东精影业 Mānoa,” said Michael Guidry, chair of the Global Environmental Science program and former Mackenzie student. “His contributions to the campus and society at-large will live on through the students he mentored and the program he founded.”

Mackenzie鈥檚 warm and embracing personality was contagious to those he met.

“Fred was a tough but supportive mentor,” said Christopher Sabine, interim vice provost for research and scholarship and former Mackenzie student. “He had a way of encouraging his students to accomplish more than they ever thought they could.”

The study of the entire Earth system and the interactions between the land, ocean and atmosphere, was at the forefront of his interests, thoughts and research. He was the author or co-author of more than 300 scholarly works and received hundreds of accolades, medals and awards during his distinguished career.

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Upon graduating in December, Keanu Rochette-Yu Tsuen could confidently say that he had seized every opportunity to have authentic, hands-on research experiences during his time as an undergraduate student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Rochette-Yu Tsuen grew up on the island of Tahiti, French Polynesia and moved to Hawaiʻi for college, first as a student at and then at 东精影业 Mānoa where he completed his bachelor鈥檚 in the (GES) program in the (SOEST).

At Kapiʻolani CC, he had opportunities to participate in in botany, ethnobotany, ecology and microbiology with mentors Wendy Kuntz, John Berestecky and Mike Ross.

“Keanu is a real standout among our STEM students, who took full advantage of every opportunity to participate in undergraduate research both in and out of the classroom, including leading our Ecology Club students on interisland service projects,” said Kuntz, a professor of biology and ecology at Kapiʻolani CC. “We are so proud of his achievements.”

Microbiology at Hawaiian fishpond

GES students are required to complete a senior research thesis to build valuable experience and transferable skills. Support for Rochette-Yu Tsuen鈥檚 research project was provided by the (MARC) Program through 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 , which aims to provide training in biological research for a diverse group of students who are underrepresented in the sciences.

Working with Rosie Alegado, associate professor in SOEST, Rochette-Yu Tsuen tested for the presence of bacteria in the Leptospiraceae family in samples collected at the Heʻeia fishpond on Oʻahu. This family of bacteria contains pathogenic members which can cause leptospirosis.

The goal of the project was to find environmental factors that correlate with the presence of Leptospiraceae in the Heʻeia fishpond, which could help researchers provide information about the risk of exposure to the Paepae o Heʻeia community.

“During my time in the Alegado Lab, I strengthened my ability to do research and I developed a better appreciation for microbiology and its application in environmental science,” said Rochette-Yu Tsuen. “I also enjoyed working in my lab because research projects are developed with the input of community members. It鈥檚 a different way to approach science and it makes the projects more significant.”

Coral reefs in French Polynesia

In the new year, Rochette-Yu Tsuen will begin a master鈥檚 degree in the at 东精影业 Mānoa studying coral reefs closer to his home, this time in Mo鈥榦rea, French Polynesia.

“Learning about the current ecological changes that threaten our coral reefs, related to climate change, local pollution, predation, and natural disasters, has reinforced my determination to work in preserving those coastal ecosystems and marine resources to better protect the communities that rely on them,” said Rochette-Yu Tsuen.

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Born and raised on the island of Guam, where she attended St. John鈥檚 School from kindergarten, Nicole Sulla Mathews said coming to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree was a major change in almost all aspects. One thing that didn鈥檛 change, however, was her longstanding interest in environmental science.

“Ever since middle school, I have been interested in environmental science,” Mathews said. “It started with water sampling but expanded to soil science, as well. I am very fortunate to have a great support system from my family and teachers at St. John’s and was provided with the great opportunity to take my science projects to island-wide and international science fairs.”

As an undergraduate student in the program in the 东精影业 Mānoa (SOEST), Mathews completed a few oceanography courses and learned, for the first time, about research opportunities in that discipline.

Research in the open ocean

Mathews joined the Hawaiʻi Ocean Time-series program for one of their monthly cruises, 60 miles north of Oʻahu at Station ALOHA. Onboard the cruise, she got first-hand experience with oceanographic sampling and testing, while helping 东精影业 Mānoa oceanographers conduct their research.

“I loved being at sea and learning about ocean science,” said Mathews. “That led me to pursue a senior thesis focused on microbial oceanography.”

Working with 东精影业 Mānoa oceanography professor Angelicque White and researcher Fernanda Henderikx Freitas, Mathews analyzes images from an Imaging Flow Cytobot, a machine that captures images of microscopic organisms for identification of marine plankton.

“Since our automated classifier is still learning how to accurately classify the organisms, I work on manually annotating and sorting taxa [various types of microbes], ideally to the genus level,” said Mathews. “For my thesis, I am annotating images from the research cruises PARAGON 1 and 2 and will be looking for trends in different classes of microbes during various stages of algal blooms.”

“It is always a bit of a thrill to see someone first lay eyes on the wild diversity of microbial characters that allow our oceans to thrive,” said White. “I get to see the outcomes but Fernanda Henderikx Freitas has been working directly with Nicole and others to create a training pipeline for students to quickly learn relevant taxonomic details about ocean plankton and help train our machine learning tools to see what we see. It鈥檚 an exciting time in the arc of ocean science.”

Future plans

Following graduation in spring 2024, Mathews plans to pursue her teaching certification in secondary science.

“My mom and brother are both teachers at my alma mater and I hope, sometime in the future, I will be teaching alongside them,” Mathews said. “I also want to continue in school and pursue a masters in oceanography where I can continue my undergraduate research and hopefully go back out to sea.”

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After an exhaustive two-year application and evaluation process, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 Bachelor of Science program in (GES) recently became the world鈥檚 first environmental science program to be awarded by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology ().

“Our GES Program combines a rigorous academic curriculum with meaningful, hands-on research experiences to prepare our graduates to address our state鈥檚 environmental issues,” said Margaret McManus, chairwoman of the , which administers the GES program, in the 东精影业 Mānoa (SOEST).

Michael Guidry, the GES program director, stated, 鈥淗补飞补颈ʻ颈 faces future uncertainty and challenges related to the impacts of climate and environmental change along with pollution and degradation. Our GES faculty have developed a curriculum that prepares students with the knowledge, training and skills to successfully address 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 and the world鈥檚 environment-related challenges. The strength of the program has been acknowledged by becoming the first accredited environmental science program in the world.鈥�

GES graduates are well-prepared to successfully go on to professional careers in public and private-sectors related to the environmental sciences; professional schools in engineering, law, and medicine; graduate school programs in biology, chemistry, geography, and environmental, oceanographic, geological and atmospheric sciences; and graduate school programs in the social sciences such as urban and regional planning and public health, or in business such as finance.

“As an indicator of the program鈥檚 rigor, within a year of their graduation more than 90% of GES graduates are either employed or in graduate studies,” noted McManus. “Our graduates are prepared to help the state deal with a myriad of environment-related issues such as invasive species, coastline usage and change, coral reef health, marine and freshwater pollution, environmental planning, public health, and many other areas of need.”

Alumni experiences

GES alumni Leon Geschwind, currently employed with NOAA in Hawaiʻi, noted how GES prepared him for the workforce, “The GES program not only provided me with a holistic understanding of the Earth system but also gave me the skills necessary to communicate complex scientific topics to a wide range of audiences. From developing climate change teacher workshops to mentoring the next generation of students, the GES program laid a strong foundation for my future careers impacting the State of Hawaiʻi, first at Bishop Museum and now at NOAA. Twenty years after I graduated from the program, I had the privilege of paying it forward by mentoring a GES student through a NOAA summer internship program.”

Hawaiʻi born and raised GES alumnae Amanda Wong and Kealohi Sabate are now in graduate school at the University of California at Davis. Both applied for, and were awarded, support for their graduate studies from the competitive and prestigious .

Guidry, in conclusion, stated, “Achieving ABET accreditation is a significant accomplishment for the program with broader implications for 东精影业 Mānoa and the State of Hawaiʻi. It recognizes the program鈥檚 quality, places it among the best in the world, and provides students with the training to successfully address our state鈥檚 current and future environmental issues.”

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Born and raised in Maunalua on the island of Oʻahu, Tehani Malterre attended Kamehameha Schools and began to reconnect with Hawaiian culture and with ʻāina (land, that which nourishes). With a passion for protecting the environment in Hawaiʻi, she learned during her senior year in high school that the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (SOEST) offers a program that was a great fit for her interests—the (GES) bachelor鈥檚 degree.

Now in her senior year of the GES program, Malterre said, “I enjoy being able to learn the science behind the environmental issues that affect us here in Hawaiʻi while also being able to remain connected with my home.”

Malterre is enrolled in the wherein she is pursuing a master鈥檚 of science in finance while finishing her GES degree.

“Understanding the financial implications of climate change while also having a background in environmental science is very important for understanding the human dimensions of planning for and adapting to our future,” said Malterre. “In addition to increasing my own financial literacy and understanding of the systems that we live in, this degree can be applied to a variety of important issues such as understanding the costs to coastal infrastructure as a result of climate change, helping local businesses to protect and increase island food sustainability, or even working with community organizations to finance restoration and conservation projects.”

Environmental science, food security and local business

For her senior thesis in the GES program, Malterre is working with Henrietta Dulai, professor in SOEST鈥檚 . They are looking at water quality at Sumida Farm, which is a popular watercress farm in ʻAiea.. The farm is primarily fed through freshwater springs and it is unique because it is located in a highly urbanized setting. Previous studies there showed that despite the farm being surrounded by urban development, the springs provide very clean water, free of pollutants usually expected from urban runoff.

Malterre鈥檚 study is aiming to confirm that the surrounding urbanization has little effect on the farm by analyzing water samples collected over a time span of a year. She will also compare these findings to rainfall patterns to see if precipitation is contributing to any runoff that can affect the water quality. So far results show excellent conditions, confirming that the availability of clean, fresh water is the basis of the success of the farm that has been operating over many decades.

“Something that really interests me in this research is that it provides the opportunity to better understand potential threats that are affecting our food sources and food sustainability, something that is incredibly important in Hawaiʻi and that we should be trying to expand,” said Malterre. “This project also has the potential to help a local business, which is something I am excited about.”

What鈥檚 next?

Malterre will be graduating with a bachelor鈥檚 degree from GES at the end of spring 2023. After that, she is on track to graduate with a master鈥檚 degree in finance in spring 2024. She is interested in continuing with school to study ecosystems ecology or conservation biology and possibly pursue a doctoral degree.

“Ultimately I want to be able to live and work in Hawaiʻi and contribute to the conservation and preservation of our natural resources, culture, and native species, especially in the face of climate change,” said Malterre. “I also want to be able to give back to the land and communities that raised me.”

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Prior to joining the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (SOEST), Sofia Suesue was pursuing an associate鈥檚 degree in natural sciences at and enrolled in a summer oceanography course at 东精影业 Mānoa, Halau Ola Honua鈥檚 Mauka to Makai, that focused on the management of watersheds on Oʻahu.

“Through the Mauka to Makai course, I became more interested in studying oceanography and found pursuing a career in research to be a more possible aspiration than I originally thought,” said Suesue. “Also, with my experience in the course I believed I could utilize what I would learn [in GES] to one day help with some of the environmental issues in our coastal areas.”

Raised on the windward side of Oʻahu, environmental science had always intrigued Suesue. Michael Guidry, summer course co-coordinator and director of the (GES) program, encouraged her to transfer to SOEST after graduating from Windward CC.

Caffeine, herbicide, antibiotic pollution of watershed microbes

After joining the GES bachelor鈥檚 degree program in the she focused her senior thesis research on the potential impacts of pollutants—including caffeine, the herbicide glyphosate and the broad-spectrum antibiotic sulfamethoxazole which is used to treat infections—on microbial communities in stream and coastal environments.

Suesue surveyed the Kahaluʻu-ʻĀhuimanu stream system on the windward side of Oʻahu to measure how the concentration of the three contaminants changed from inland to coastal environments. She was guided by (SOEST) mentors Henrietta Dulai, professor, and Craig Nelson, associate researcher in the Department of Oceanography and .

Her findings suggest that caffeine degrades in concentration from the inland portion of the stream to the nearshore and it may have an impact on microbial metabolism. Her research also showed that glyphosate and sulfamethoxazole were stable in both marine and freshwater systems with higher concentrations in nearshore sections of the stream, suggesting they can be delivered into coastal areas where they may persist.

“Observing potential pollutant attenuation by microbes only within inland, non-channelized portions of the stream system suggests that inputs from all other areas may be more likely to export into coastal waters which could lead to the increased occurrence of environmental and public health concerns connected to pollutant presence,” said Suesue.

Testing microbes’ response to contaminants

After this survey, the researchers selected four sites across the stream system and two within Kāneʻohe Bay. They conducted a lab experiment wherein they added contaminants to the water samples collected from these areas and observed changes in the contaminant concentration and microbial density over the course of two weeks.

“If we observe a decrease in contaminant concentration and significantly higher cell density, that may suggest that a contaminant was being used as an energy source for microbes,” said Suesue. “This is what we observed in the samples to which we added caffeine. It appears that it may have an impact on microbial metabolism in that system.”

The team was struck by how persistent all three compounds were in marine ecosystems, remarking that “these experiments add to the growing concern over the long-term persistence of chemicals associated with human pollution sources.”

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–By Marcie Grabowski