We Are Stardust, ARCS Honolulu's 2025 Heart of Gold fundraiser luncheon was held at Outrigger Canoe Club on Monday Feb. 10. It featured the 2025 Honolulu ARCS Scientist of the Year presentation to computer scientist and retired University of Hawai‘i System President Dr. David Lassner, a talk by NASA exobiologist Dr. David Blake (who was introduced in Valentine fashion his wife, ARCS Honolulu member Dr. Carol Stratford), and a stellar silent auction to raise funds for ARCS Scholar Awards.
"The grant will cover travel to one or two conferences that I would not be able to attend otherwise."
2024 Toby Lee ARCS Scholar Lucas Ellison uses data from past droughts to analyze the performance of climate simulation models to better predict the impact of climate change.
"I have conducted comprehensive studies on two invasive insect pests in the Hawaiian Islands that are severely impacting Hawaiian ecosystems. The coconut rhinoceros beetle is spreading fast across Oahu and has reached other islands. The hala scale impacts native coastal hala forests."
Besides offsetting the high cost of living in Hawai‘i, funds from the 2024 Maybelle F. Roth ARCS Scholar and Honolulu Scholar of the Year awards would allow Mason Russo to return to Asia if an initial survey produces promising biological control agents for the battle against destructive insects that threaten Hawai‘i trees.
“ARCS Honolulu Chapter provided recognition that my efforts and education were a worthwhile investment at a time when others could see little future for me.”
1976 Honolulu ARCS Scholar and Tampa Chapter member Pamela Hallock Muller was named one of 25 Top Women Professors in Florida. The University of South Florida marine scientist overcame gender discrimination and has mentored 60 graduate students, 10 of them from underrepresented minorities.