Current Scholars
2025 Honolulu ARCS ScholarsThe Honolulu Chapter presented 19 ARCS Scholar Awards to exceptional doctoral students in STEM fields at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and announced the three ARCS Scholar of the Year recipients at the annual Scholar Awards Banquet on May 5. The $6,000 unrestricted grants provide resources for professional travel, computer and research equipment and materials, publishing costs, and/or educational and personal expenses at the recipient's discretion. Scholars of the Year received an additional $1,000 for their superior presentations at the Honolulu ARCS Scholar Symposium in April.
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Allie J. HallSarah Ann Martin ARCS Award and Wendy Lagarerta ARCS Scholar of the Year
Life Sciences (Botany), Dr. Nicole Hynson, advisor
View her videoResearch: Are Mycorrhizal Fungi the Key to Saving Nānū, One of the World's Most Critically Endangered Trees?
Cultivation of endangered Hawaiian gardenia trees has poor success. Allie has shown that inoculating seedlings with fungi from their native soils improves the odds. Sequencing of fungal DNA can suggest where restoration is most likely to succeed, and the soils and seedlings used will be available to conservationists.Education: BS in Biomedical Sciences, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Interests: Rock climbing, wilderness activities, surfing, yoga, poetry, K-12 scientific outreach
Courtney Kehaulani KurashimaE. Palmer Payne Jr. Memorial ARCS Award and Honolulu Chapter ARCS Scholar of the Year
Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, Dr. Yusuke Marikawa, advisor
View her videoResearch: Evaluating Pregnancy Risk of Cardio-Vascular Drugs Using Stem Cell Models
Heart medications taken by one in three pregnant women can harm fetal development. Courtney uses mouse and human stem cells to study what happens at the molecular level. She also wants to look at dietary supplements marketed for heart health, with the goal of preventing miscarriages and birth defects.Education: BS in Biochemistry, Chaminade University of Honolulu
Interests: Hula, reading, baking
Ty K. ShitanakaHelen Jones Farrar ARCS Award and George and Mona Elmore ARCS Scholar of the Year
Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, Dr. Samir Khanal, advisor
View his videoResearch: Pioneering Hawaiian Macroalgae for Environmental and Economic Resilience
Ty uses CO2 microbubbles and nutrient-rich wastewater to enhance growth and an fungal-clumping method for efficient harvesting as profitable and sustainable techniques for cultivation of both single-cell photosynthetic microalgae and limu macroalgae. He also explores algae-based biomaterial products, such as eco-friendly bioplastics and oils.Education: BS in Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
Interests: Baseball (Go Braves!), gardening, fishing, cooking, watching UH Wahine volleyball
Zachary T. "Zac" BaileyColumbia Communications ARCS Award
Astronomy, Dr. Shadia Habbal, advisor
View his videoPresentation: Measurement of Turbulence Injection Scale Down to the Chromosphere
Zac analyzes images of the Sun’s corona that are captured during total solar eclipses to understand what drives solar wind turbulence. He studies granules, which are areas that appear on the Sun’s outer photosphere when hot gas rises to the surface, cools, and slides back down into the interior.Education: BS in Astrophysics, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Interests: Surfing, hiking, camping, guitar, drums, gym
Roxanne Kate Agtang BalanayBretzlaff Foundation ARCS Award
Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Taylor Ray, advisor
View her videoResearch: Applications of Acoustic Fields in Additive Manufacturing, Microfluidics, and Planetary Exploration
Roxanne is developing a device to collect toxic gas molecules in space and use sound waves to direct them to a specific sensor; she will test the instrument at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The technology could also be used to improve the performance of medical diagnostics and creation of ultra-small cell phone antennas.Education: BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Interests: Traveling, photography, culinary exploration
Petra K. BylGeorge Orton and Mona Marie Elmore ARCS Award
Oceanography, Dr. Grieg Steward, advisor
View her videoResearch: Giant Viruses of Mixotrophic Algae
Petra cultivates algae and algae-infecting viruses from the open ocean in a controlled, laboratory setting to test how changes in growth conditions influence the success of viral infections. She has identified viral genes that may supplement their host’s metabolism, and shown how available nitrogen sources impact the host organisms’ survival.Education: BS in Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago
Interests: Volunteering, outreach, surfing, trying new recipes
Jade M. ComellasPoorman Hoyt Stratford Foundation ARCS Award
Earth Sciences, Dr. Shiv Sharma, advisor
View her videoResearch: Supporting SuperCam’s Search for Serpentine Minerals on Mars
Jade studies the ancient geologic history of Mars using spectrometer analysis of images captured by the NASA Perseverance rover’s SuperCam. She looks for traces of water interaction to see how water changed the rocks in Jezero Crater and what that suggests about the possibility of past life on Mars.Education: BS Summa Cum Laude in Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico
Interests: Painting, drawing, dance, teaching and outreach, hiking, traveling
Christina M. ComfortGeorge Orton and Mona Marie Elmore ARCS Award
Oceanography, Dr. Margaret McManus, advisor
View her videoResearch: Coastal Oceanography and Wastewater Pollution in Hawai’i
Christina gauges land-based inputs to coastal waters (such as nitrogen and fecal indicator bacteria) and physical properties (such as current, temperature, and algal growth) to understand how pollutants disperse through the system, identify watershed-scale issues, and recommend effective remediation actions.Education: BA in Biological Science, Connecticut College; MS in Biological Oceanography, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Interests: Surfing, freediving, scuba, hiking, contemporary dance, fire spinning
Joshua L. R. DyogiFrederick M. Kresser Memorial ARCS Award
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dr. Chunhee Cho, advisor
View his videoResearch: Structural Health Monitoring of Buildings: Vibration-Based Damage Detection Using Physics-Informed Machine Learning and Scaled Models
Calling himself a building doctor, Joshua integrates machine learning with physics-based simulations to validate models and improve response and assessment after earthquakes and other disasters.Education: BA in Graphic Arts and Design, BS and MS in Civil Engineering, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Interests: Art exhibits, music theater, board game play and design, exploring new foods
Taylor D. ElyDr. Jacueline Maly ARCS Award
Life Sciences (Zoology), Dr. Peter Marko, advisor
View her videoResearch: How Do Marine Species Get to Hawai’i?
Ely combines population genetic analyses using eDNA with computer simulations of plankton larvae to gauge the marine animals’ movements between Pacific islands. She has analyzed samples around the Hawaiian Islands and hopes to add data from 900 open ocean samples collected in the North Central Pacific to test theorized pathways of plankton dispersal.Education: BS in Marine Biology, Minor in Environmental Systems and Society, University of California, Los Angeles
Interests: Snorkeling, tidepooling, painting, cooking, reading
Tanner W. HayesToby Lee ARCS Award
Earth Sciences, Dr. Shuai Li, advisor
View his videoResearch: Investigating an Ocean World One Snow Cone at a Time
Tanner creates mixtures of ices and other materials thought to be on four Jupiter moons, studies how they interact with light, and compares the results with satellite data to determine the dominant geologic processes creating the surfaces and assess habitability for otherworldly life.Education: BS in Geophysics, University of Nevada, Reno; MS in Earth and Planetary Science, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Interests: Hiking, board games, bowling in Hawai‘i; rodeo and archery previously
Anne A. “Annie” Innes-GoldHonolulu Chapter ARCS Award
Marine Biology Graduate Program, Dr. Elizabeth Madin and Dr. Lisa McManus, advisors
View her videoResearch: How Restoration of Indigenous Aquaculture Systems Can Guide Fisheries Management
Annie found that restoring loko iʻa increased availability of ʻamaʻama, or striped mullet, both inside the fishpond and in the bordering estuary. Fish populations inside the pond may be more resilient to warming water than those in the rest of the bay.Education: BA in Biology, Vassar College; MS in Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Rhode Island
Interests: Running, rock climbing, surfing, hiking, drawing, painting, playing guitar
Kyle Rafael A. MarcelinoEllen M. Koenig ARCS Award
Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, Dr. Samir Khanal, advisor
View his videoResearch: Enhancing Performance of Aquaponic Systems with Nanobubble Aeration Technology
Using ultrafine bubbles 2,500 times smaller than a grain of salt to increase dissolved oxygen in aquaponic systems, Kyle has improved water quality, nutrient availability, and crop yields. He hopes to create a highly efficient, modular food production system.Education: BS in in Biological Engineering, MS in Civil Engineering, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Interests: Euphonium/band, landscaping, gardening
Jesse McDonaldDr. Jacqueline Maly ARCS Award
Information and Computer Sciences, Dr. Henri Casanova, advisor
View his videoResearch: Simulation of High Performance Computer Systems (What Any of That Even Means? And Why Bother?)
It is difficult to program modern supercomput-ers well. Jesse uses a simulator to observe parts of systems and the impacts that changes to the systems have in order to improve supercomputer workflow performance.Education: BS in Mathematics, BS in Computer Science, Lewis-Clark State College; MS in Computer Science, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Interests: Programming, electronics, boardgames, videogames, cooking
Jack C. McKeeGeorge Orton and Mona Marie Elmore ARCS Award
Mathematics, Dr. Evan Gawlik, advisor
View his videoResearch: Exploring Shape: The Foundations of Differential Geometry
Most smooth shapes can only be approximated by conputers—picture the interconnected triangles that make up the Stan Sheriff Center dome. Jack uses discrete differential geometry to quantify smooth shapes, focusing on curvature and related quantities that play roles in continuum mechanics, surface tension, and Einstein field equations. The work may help produce robust, accurate computer models of physical systems.Education: BA in Mathematics, UC Santa Cruz
Interests: Bike riding, hiking, tabletop roleplay games, libre software, mycology
Audrey Alexandra NashEllen M. Koenig ARCS Award
Atmospheric Sciences, Dr. Giuseppe Torri, advisorResearch: The Influence of the Madden-Julian Oscillation on the Climate of Hawai’i
Audrey uses satellite data to plot rainfall during different phases of the Madden-Julian Oscillation, a phenomenon that is similar to and may influence El Niño, in an effort to better understand the variability of Hawaiian climate at monthly/seasonal timescales and improve long-term weather forecasts.Education: BS in Atmospheric Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park; MS in Atmospheric Sciences, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Interests: Photography, hiking, traveling
Anna NilssonGuy Moulton Yates ARCS Award
Cell and Molecular Biology, Dr. Kathryn Schunke, advisor
View her videoResearch: Cardioprotection by Hypothalamic Oxytocin Neuron Activation in Diabetes
Diabetes disrupts the brain’s signals to the heart, creating imbalances in the involuntary nervous system that increase risk for elevated heart rate, irregular heartbeats, and heart attack. Anna uses mice with pre-diabetes to test whether improved communication restores healthy heart function and increases longevity.Education: BS Physiology and Neuroscience, BA in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego
Interests: Reading, photography, painting, scrapbooking
Grace E. OrellanaSarah Ann Martin ARCS Award
Chemistry, Dr. Ellinor Haglund, advisor
View her videoResearch: Crowding Effects on Protein-Protein Interactions
Protein folding arranges amino acids strings into three-dimensional shapes. Misfolding due to mutation or chemical exposure may cause amorphous aggregates or amyloid fibers linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Grace studies aggregation of the protein leptin, which signals the body when to stop eating, but doesn’t work when misfolding causes it to bind to itself or other molecules.Education: BS in chemistry, University of Arkansas
Interests: Playing beach volleyball, surfing, making jewelry
Amir P. Van GiesonMaybelle F. Roth ARCS Award
Life Sciences (Zoology), Dr. Rebecca Chong, advisor
View his videoResearch: Conservation Implications of Nutrient Flow Between Forest and Cave Ecosystems in Hawai‘i
Amir has shown that dozens of native cave arthropods depend on the roots of native ‘ōhi‘a tree roots for nutrients. But Rapid O‘hia Death could replace the trees with non-native species. Amir hopes his geospatial, ecological, chemical, and genetic studies of cave biodiversity and feeding interactions across healthy and disturbed forests will inform parallel land management efforts.Education: BS with honors in Aquatic Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara
Interests: Hula, art, ‘āina work, hiking, running, volleyball