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Honolulu
Chapter

ARCS Scientist of the Year

Honolulu Chapter Honors Outstanding University of Hawai‘i Faculty

Patricia Lee and Margaret McFall-Ngai in lei

Since 1983, ARCS Honolulu Chapter annually honors one University of Hawai‘i at Manoa faculty member as its Scientist of the Year.

The award recognizes recipients both for their own remarkable research careers and for their role as outstanding mentors to young scientists, so it is no suprise that many have also been advisors to ARCS Honolulu Scholars. Scientists of the Year are invited to speak at the Scholar Banquet or another ARCS Event (or safely distanced recorded online talks during the pandemic).

At right, ARCS Honolulu member Patricia "Patty" Lee, left, congratulated 2019 ARCS Scientist of the Year Dr. Margaret McFall-Ngai, who spoke of the important opportunities unrestricted ARCS Scholar funding provides and tendered her support by subsequently becaming a member of the chapter.

Dr. Angel Yanagihara in scuba suit
Sea Jelly Venom Expert Portrayed in Film
2013 Scientist of the Year Dr. Angel Yanagihara is portrayed in the film Nyad in her real-life role as advisor to the open-ocean swimmer on toxic jelly fish. Read more….
ARCS Anthurium with Haruyuki Kamemoto headshot inset
BRED IN HAWAI‘I – THE ARCS ANTHURIUM
1990 Scientist of the Year Dr. Haruyuki Kamemoto created a purple anthurium through complex cross-breeding and named it in honor of ARCS Foundation’s support for students in the University of Hawai‘i’s College of Tropical Agriculture. The late horticulturalist and his protege, 2008 Scientist of the Year Adelheid Kuehnle, who introduced molecular breeding techniques, helped Hawai‘i transition from plantation economy to diversified agriculture. ORDER the anturium from Greenpoint Nurseries
Isabella Abbott superimposed on Life Sciences Building
Building Named for Ethnobotany Pioneer
The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa's Life Sciences Building has been named for 2000 ARCS Scientist of the Year Dr. Isabella Abbott. The first kanaka maoli (native Hawaiian) woman to earn a PhD and the first person of color to be a full professor at Stanford University, the pioneering ethnobotanist was instrumental in incorporating Hawaiian language and culture in the naming of marine algae.
Dr. George Walker inset on East Iceland map and museum
ARCS HONOLULU'S ICELAND CONNECTION
The ARCS Foundation name is found in Breiðdalsvík, Iceland, where the engraved koa bowl presented to 1987 Scientist of the Year Dr. George Walker sits atop a file cabinet In a recreation of his University of Hawai‘i office at the Breiðdalssetur Research and Heritage Center. Considered to be the father of modern volcanology, the geologist received Iceland’s Order of the Falcon (equivalent to a knighthood) among his many honors.

ARCS Honolulu
Scientists of the Year

 
Alika Maunakea, Epigenetics (2024)
Bruce Houghton, Volconology (2023)
Rachel Novotny, Food Science and Human Nutrition (2022)
Mark Hixon, Zoology (2021)
Loic LeMarchand, University of Hawai‘i Cancer Research Center (2020)
Margaret McFall-Ngai, Pacific Biosciences Research Center (2019)
Karen Meech, Institute for Astronomy (2018)
Richard Yanagihara, John A. Burns School of Medicine (2017)
Brent Tully, Institute for Astronomy (2016)
Ruth Gates, Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (2015) deceased
Sheila Conant, Zoology (2014)
Angel Yanagihara, John A. Burns School of Medicine (2013)
Bin Wang, Meteorology (2012)
Cecilia Shikuma, John A. Burns School of Medicine (2011)
Hope Jahren, Geochemistry (2010)
Margo Edwards, Geophysics and Planetology (2009)
Adelheid Kuehnle, Tropical Plant and Soil Science (2008)
John Learned, Physics (2007)
Marla J. Berry, John A. Burns School of Medicine (2006)
Laurence Kolonel, University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center (2005)
John Tonry, Institute for Astronomy (2004)
Robert Bidigare, Oceanography (2003)
Charles Boyd, John A. Burns School of Medicine (2002)
John Madey, Physics (2001)
Isabella Abbott, Botany (2000) deceased
David Bercovici, Geology and Geophysics (1999)
E. Alison Kay, Zoology (1998) deceased
Ronald Mau, Environmental Science (1997)
David Jewitt, Institute for Astronomy (1996)
Fred Mackenzie, Oceanography (1995)
Gillian Bryant-Greenwood, John A. Burns School of Medicine (1994)
Goro Uehara, Tropical Plant and Soil Science (1993) deceased
Anne Alvarez, Plant Pathology (1992)
Klaus Wyrtki, Oceanography (1991) deceased
Haruyuki Kamemoto, Tropical Plant and Soil Science (1990) deceased
Marian Melish, John A. Burns School of Medicine (1989)
James Brewbaker, Horticulture (1988) deceased
George Walker, Geology and Geophysics (1987) deceased
David Karl, Oceanography (1986)
Donald Hussong, Geology and Geophysics (1985)
Philip Helfrich, Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (1984)
Eric Becklin, Institute for Astronomy (1983)

Video Presentations

2023 Scientist of the Year Dr. Rachel Novotny on Children's Healthy Living in the Pacific

2021 Scientist of the Year Mark Hixon
2020 Scientist of the Year Loic LeMarchand
Other Talks by Scientists of the Year

 

Dr. Karen Meech2018 Scientist of the Year and NASA missions co-investigator Dr. Karen Meech discusses comet ‘Oumuamua, the first object from another star to traverse our solar system. View the highlights video or watch the full 55-minute interview.

She also discussed possible end-of-earth scenarios as a panel member for a UH College of Natural Sciences Pilina Ao program. Watch the YouTube video.