Faculty

Forensic Sciences Scholar Joins Chaminade Faculty

January 27, 2017

Dr. Katelyn Perrault The Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics welcomed to their team this academic year Dr. Katelynn A. Perrault, assistant professor of Forensic Sciences and Chemistry. Dr. Perrault has expertise in the use of gas chromatography (GC) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) across a range of life science applications, including, primarily, forensic science. She has done extensive work profiling the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that form the odor evolved from decomposing remains. Such work is essential in understanding the sensory mechanisms behind scent-detection canine use.

In 2011, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in Forensic Science from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. “Graduating with my undergraduate degree was a very proud moment. I remember thinking that this was only the beginning of a really exciting journey and that there were endless possibilities ahead,” she said. “That was also when I decided that I wanted to become a professor one day, so I could help students feel that same sense of achievement and help guide them along the path to their fullest potential.”

With that in mind, Dr. Perrault would need to go beyond her comfort zone. Her doctoral studies meant traveling a great distance. “I moved to Australia to pursue my Ph.D. It was a pretty important defining moment in my life. I had hardly ever traveled and never really thought much about it. I ended up meeting people from all over the world and was lucky enough to do a fair bit of traveling during my degree. Making that decision to move has made me more resilient and independent over time, but my experiences during my degree also gave me a profound appreciation for other cultures,” Dr. Perrault said.

Achieving her Ph.D. with a focus in Forensic Chemistry in 2015 from the University of Technology Sydney, Dr. Perrault went on to perform additional doctoral studies at the University of Liège, applying novel analytical approaches to challenging matrices in various fields such as food science, archaeology, and forensic science. Through her research and travels, she has cultivated an international network of collaborators in academia, police, and government agencies.

This semester Dr. Perrault teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in forensic chemistry, general chemistry, analytical chemistry and instrumental analysis here at Chaminade University. Her research program at Chaminade focuses on sensing VOCs from various biological sources for medical and forensic applications. She is also a peer reviewer for several forensic science and chemistry journals and has presented at numerous international conferences.

“One of the main reasons that I decided to come to Chaminade was the sense of community on campus. It was evident from the first moment I visited, and I am so pleased to now be part of this community,” noted Dr. Perrault. “I look forward to developing meaningful relationships with my students and contributing to their career success out in the community.”

Academic Degrees
Ph.D., University of Technology Sydney
BSc, University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Selected Publications
1. Perrault, K.A., Forbes, S.L. (2016). Elemental analysis of soil and vegetation surrounding human analog decomposition. Journal of the Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences. 49(3): 138-151.

2. Perrault, K.A., Stefanuto, P.-H., Dubois, L., Cnuts, D., Rots, V., Focant, J.-F. (2016). A new approach for the characterization of organic residues from stone tools using GC×GC-TOFMS. Separations. 3:2.

3. Nizio, K.D., Perrault, K.A., Troobnikoff, A.N., Ueland, M., Shoma, S., Iredell, J.R., Middleton, P.G., Forbes, S.L. (2016). In vitro volatile organic compound profiling using GC×GC-TOFMS to differentiate bacteria associated with lung infections: a proof-of-concept study. Journal of Breath Research. 10(2):026008.

4. Perrault, K.A., Stefanuto, P.-H., Stuart, B.H., Rai, T., Focant, J.-F., Forbes, S.L. (2015). Detection of decomposition volatile organic compounds in soil following removal of remains from a surface deposition site. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology. 11(3): 376-387.

5. Perrault, K.A., Nizio, K.D., Forbes, S.L. (2015). A comparison of one-dimensional and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for decomposition odour profiling using inter-year replicate field trials. Chromatographia. 78(15-16), 1057-1070.

6. Stefanuto, P.-H., Perrault, K.A., Focant, J.-F., Forbes, S.L. (2015). Fast chromatographic method for explosive profiling. Chromatography. 2(2): 213-224.

7. Perrault, K.A., Stefanuto, P.-H., Lloyd, R., Rai, T., Stuart, B.H., Forbes, S.L., Focant, J.-F. (2015). Exploring new dimensions in cadaveric decomposition odour analysis. Analytical Methods. 7(6): 2287-2294.

8. Perrault, K.A., Stefanuto, P.-H., Stuart, B.H., Rai, T., Focant, J.-F., Forbes, S.L. (2015). Reducing variation in decomposition odour profiling using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Journal of Separation Science. 38(1): 73-80.

9. Perrault, K.A., Rai, T., Stuart, B.H., Forbes, S.L. (2015). Seasonal comparison of carrion volatiles in decomposition soil using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography – time of flight mass spectrometry. Analytical Methods. 7(2): 690-698.

10. Perrault, K.A., Forbes S.L. (2014). Decomposition odour profiling in the air and soil surrounding vertebrate carrion. PLoS One, 9(4): e95107.

A full list of scholarly work available on Google Scholar.

Service to the Profession
American Chemical Society, Member

Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Member

Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, Member

Chaminade Professor’s New Book Reveals Robert Louis Stevenson’s Importance in Illustrated Literature

January 26, 2017

Congratulations are in order for Richard Hill, Ph.D., assistant professor of English. His book Robert Louis Stevenson and the Pictorial Text: A Case Study in the Victorian Illustrated Novel has been recently published by Routledge (2017). The book is a scholarly analysis of the lifetime illustrations to the fiction of Robert Louis Stevenson. A famous 19th-century writer, Stevenson wrote books such as The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the great pirate novel Treasure Island. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Stevenson also spent time in Hawaii as well as traveling through the Pacific. Over the years, Stevenson has been the subject of much serious critical scholarship. Hill’s book contributes to this scholarship by examining how Stevenson sought illustration for his work and how illustration succeeded or failed according to Stevenson’s opinion.

Dr. Richard Hill Book: Robert Louis Stevenson and the Pictorial Text - A Case Study in the Victorian Illustrated Novel

Hill initially did his doctorate work on Sir Walter Scott, Stevenson’s literary forebear. Hill received his Ph.D. from Edinburgh University, the alma mater of Scott and Stevenson. After Hill completed his work on Scott, he targeted Stevenson for his next endeavor. “Stevenson became the natural focus of my work,” Hill recalled. “Stevenson was another famous Scottish author but one who had come to the Pacific, like me! It was a natural fit for my focus of research.”

Hill completed the book through a series of challenges and distractions, including illness, moving from Oahu to Maui, and the birth of two children to whom the book is dedicated. “I’m very proud of the fact that the entirety of the book, from conception to publication, was produced while being a faculty member at Chaminade University,” he added. “Thanks must go to my department, dean, and the Sullivan Family Library for their support through the process.”

Faculty Hui Spurs Enthusiasm

January 20, 2017

Before the start of the semester, faculty huddled together to prepare themselves to give their best to their students and new classes. At the opening breakfast of the 2017 Faculty Hui, they shared what they did over the holidays and the classes they would be teaching. The gathering came to order with prayer and an ‘oli, which quietened the room and focused the faculty on the purpose of their individual curricula in light of Marianist educational values.

2017 Faculty Hui During the two-day gathering held January 11-12 on campus, Bro. Bernard Ploeger, S.M. presented his presidential address with an open forum to discuss the state of the university. Divisions met to hone their strategies and goals to ensure student success. In addition, Janet Davidson was announced as associate provost of Academic Affairs. Faculty Development and Assessment with Brian Richardson (Faculty Center director), Cari Ryan (Assessment specialist) and Makana Mattos (Institutional Design) will be led by her.

Breakout sessions were well-received. Faculty shared with their colleagues on innovative ways to teach, scholarship and research involvements, and the distinctiveness of a Marianist education. Faculty genuinely enjoyed exchanging ideas and expertise with one another. Sessions included:

Google for Education – Elizabeth Park
Writing Learning Outcomes – Brian Richardson and Candice Sakuda
Speech Choir Performance of Forgiveness for English Language Learning – Eva Washburn-Repollo
Experiential Learning – Gail Grabowsky
Grant Writing Strategies – David Carter
Yale Summer Fellowship: Why Should We Teach Slave Narratives? – Allison Paynter
Teaching Students the Value of Using Evidence in Practice-Based Professions – Julie Elting
The Larger Perspective of Video in Education – Tom Galli and Allison Paynter
Strategies for Interdisciplinary Pedagogy: A Report from the Watery Field – Scott Wylie, Katrina Roseler
Strategies for Using Rubrics – Brooke Carlson
Breakout Edu – Makana Mattos
Train the Mind and Cultivate the Heart: Marianist Education – Dave Coleman, Edna Magpantay-Monroe, Charlie Peterson

Discussions inspired at the Faculty Hui carried into the first week of classes as faculty continued to ponder new ways of teaching. It was a great start to a new beginning.

Chaminade University Selects New Associate Provost for Academic Affairs

January 13, 2017

Chaminade University of Honolulu announced that Janet T. Davidson, Ph.D., has been selected as the University’s new associate provost for Academic Affairs.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Davidson into the Office of the Provost and the Center for Teaching and Learning,” said Chaminade University provost, Helen Whippy, Ph.D. “Dr. Davidson will bring her teaching expertise, academic scholarship, and capability of collaborating with colleagues to Academic Affairs as our new associate provost.”

Davidson has been at Chaminade University in a full-time capacity since fall 2005. She has served as an associate professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. At the undergraduate level, Davidson taught: Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems; Women and Crime; Ethics in Criminal Justice; Criminology; Corrections: Prisons and Community Alternatives; as well as statistics. At the graduate level, she taught: Research Methods; Inmate Rights; and Reentry and Rehabilitation. In addition, Davidson advised both undergraduate and graduate students regarding their programs of study. Most recently, she co-managed Chaminade’s inaugural undergraduate research program.

Davidson published numerous peer-reviewed and applied research publications. Most recently, she published “The Challenges of Determining Student Engagement in a Digital, Mobile Learning Age” in a special-edition Mobile Learning themed volume of GLOKALde, which she co-edited. She also coordinated the blind peer review of five of her Chaminade colleagues’ manuscripts, also published in the special edition volume focusing on mobile learning.

Prior to Chaminade, Davidson worked at the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General as a research analyst. She earned her doctorate in Sociology with specific focuses on crime, law, and deviance, as well as her M.A. and B.A. in sociology from the University of Hawaii – Manoa. Her research interests include institutional and community corrections, recidivism, and issues related to gender and crime.

Center for Teaching and Learning Selects New Assessment Specialist

January 12, 2017

Chaminade University welcomed Cari Anne Ryan as its new assessment specialist for the Center for Teaching and Learning. With her hire, the Office of the Provost completed its trifecta of director (Brian Richardson), instructional designer (Makana Mattos), and assessment specialist (Cari Ryan). Ryan will work with the faculty on course and program assessment, program review, designing and implementing assessment plans, and closing the loop on assessment.

Previously Ryan taught Writing and Research Methods at Pacific Rim Christian University. She also served there as a Student Learning assessment coordinator and library director.

Ryan earned a B.A. in Art History and English from Seton Hall University in New Jersey and an M.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

Celebrating 430 Years of Employee Service

January 6, 2017

The house was packed with well-wishers of employees who were being honored for their years of service. Poinsettias, Santa jars filled with candy, white tablecloths and folded red napkins, Christmas decorations, a brightly lit tree, lots of food and sweets, and of course, the eggnog added to the festive spirit.

Annually the Personnel team highlights employees who have been with Chaminade starting with 5 years and then in additional 5-year increments. This past December 9, they honored 39 of Chaminade’s finest. In total, these faithful employees have served the university for more than 430 years.

The top contender was Chitha R. Unni (Philosophy and Religion) with 50 years (yes, the big 5-0). He was followed by Steven Downey (Audio Visual) and Yukio Ozaki (Fine Arts) each with 30 years of service. The 20-year benchmark was achieved by Hector Mamaclay (Facilities) and Evelyn M. Sanqui (Purchasing/ Bookstore). Oh, the stories they could tell!

With lei and hugs, kind words and good cheer, Chaminade University offered the 39 its gratitude for the blessings they have brought to this campus.

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