Chaminade University of Honolulu

Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Chaminade Dean Inducted Into Hawaiʻi Swimming Hall of Fame

Gail Grabowsky, Ph.D., dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Chaminade, executive director of the University’s UN CIFAL Center and a decorated ocean and roughwater swimmer, was inducted into the Hawaiʻi Swimming Hall of Fame in a ceremony on October 18.

Grabowsky was inducted into the Ocean and Channel Swimming category for the Class of 2025.

Gail Grabowsky

In an interview before the ceremony, Grabowsky said she was humbled by the honor.

“I’m a distance swimmer and I love swimming,” said Grabowsky, who makes time to swim three mornings a week off Ala Moana Regional Park. She has won the female division of the Double Roughwater swim six times and has also clinched wins and a long list of age-group firsts in the Waikiki Roughwater Swim, King’s Swim, the Wailea Roughwater and the Popoiʻa Swim.

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Grabowsky said she fell in love with ocean swimming as a young girl in California.

That quickly grew into a passion for environmental sciences and marine studies.

One of the biggest highlights of her job, she said, is being able to take students to field experiences in Hawaiʻi waters—from Ala Moana to Hanauma Bay. “That’s where I’m lucky,” she said. “f you create a memory for them that’s tied to Chaminade or them loving science, that’s important.”

Grabowksy, from Los Angeles, studied at Duke University and earned her doctoral degree in Zoology in 1993. She first came to the islands as a graduate student in 1992 and returned a year later for a postdoctoral position. She started teaching at Chaminade in 1997.

The Hawaiʻi Swimming Hall of Fame, founded in 2002, seeks to “promote, preserve, and perpetuate Hawaiian aquatic sports for the future” by celebrating the achievements of island swimmers, divers, and water polo athletes.

Silversword Embraces Model of ‘True Service’

Anson Ekau ’25 says he has a long list of professors and mentors to thank for all that he accomplished at Chaminade. And as he kicks off a promising career in data science, he’s not only looking for new opportunities to grow—he’s looking for new ways to give back.

“I truly believe that once you’ve made progress, it’s your responsibility to turn back and help the next person in line,” said Ekau, who double majored in computer science and data science, analytics and visualization at Chaminade and is pursuing a future in aerospace.

That drive to serve others was something Ekau learned at an early age.

Ekau said his father spent his career helping low-income families on the west side of Oʻahu. “He made sure their needs were met and that the kids had opportunities to succeed,” Ekau said. “Through his example, I learned what empathy, courage, and true service look like.”

So it’s little wonder that Ekau found Chaminade to be a perfect fit.

At a university with a strong service-focused mission, Ekau quickly hit his stride with volunteering opportunities and student leadership programming. And in Chaminade’s Data Science program, he also discovered a way to combine his passion for everything cyber with his love for helping others.

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Ekau said he still fondly recalls meeting Rylan Chong ’10, Ph.D., director of data science at Chaminade, for the first time. A friend introduced the two at the Silversword Café early one morning and they shared a meal. “We talked about life and had a genuine conversation,” Ekau said.

Three months later, Ekau signed up for Chong’s computer science class and was “honestly shocked” when he was greeted by name on his first day. “He remembered me, and I didn’t think he would,” Ekau said, adding, “That small moment made a huge impact on me. It showed me how much Dr. Chong genuinely cares about his students, not just as learners but as people.”

In the data science program, Ekau was quickly connected to a host of hands-on learning opportunities, including internships with Mission Technologies, MC3 Technologies, US Space Force, Texas Advanced Computing Center, Supporting Pacific Indigenous Computing Excellence (SPICE) Data Science Summer Institute, and Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, which he partnered with to build a dashboard that monitors fishpond health and restoration.

Ekau said those internships helped him build new skills and apply them, work with technologically advanced equipment and projects, and learn from leaders in the field.

“During my time at Chaminade, I was very fortunate to participate in programs and experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today,” he said. “I have participated in numerous internships and programs, and presented at conferences, even to military leaders.”

He said all those experiences “helped me grow both academically, professionally, and personally.”

Most recently, Ekau worked with Hawaiʻi cybersecurity firm MC3 Technologies, where he developed and launched a course covering the basics of machine learning and cybersecurity for students in Waianaʻe. “I’ve been mentoring students through this program, and it’s been especially meaningful because it’s so similar to the work my father did,” Ekau said. “In many ways, I feel like I’m following in his footsteps, using technology as a tool for empowerment, equity, and service.”

Ekau said his long-term dream is starting his own space-focused company.

As he continues on the pathway toward that big goal, he’s looking back at the many people who helped him along the way. “I’ve been truly blessed to have had the opportunities I’ve experienced during my time at Chaminade,” Ekau said. “But none of it would have been possible without the mentors and professors who believed in me—and, most importantly, took a chance on me.”

This story appears in the Fall 2025 edition of Chaminade Magazine. To read the full issue, click here.

Team Explores ‘Data Suppression’ in Journal Article

Data analytics is increasingly being used as a key decisionmaking tool, including in Pacific communities. But a practice of statistical data suppression (SDS) aimed at privacy protection runs the risk of negatively impacting small island populations, leading to “statistical invisibility.”

In a new peer-reviewed paper published in the journal Pacific Health Dialog, the Chaminade/CIFAL Honolulu Data/AI Research Team (DART) explores the issue and seeks to provide Hawaiʻi and Pacific stakeholders with a framework to better navigate SDS. Importantly, “Navigating Protection and Presence: Trade-offs around data suppression for small Pacific populations” shines a light on data suppression practices in Census and CDC datasets.

The research was supported by National Science Foundation funding and conducted in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine, the University of Waikato, and the UH Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity.

Helen Turner, Ph.D., lead author for the article and research director at Chaminade’s UN CIFAL Honolulu, said she is proud of the research “because it surfaces an important and often hidden issue in science that may be specifically impacting our regional communities as they start to engage data analytics, AI and machine learning in their decision-making processes.”

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In the article, the authors recommend inclusive, transparent practices to prevent data suppression and propose alternative strategies grounded in “critical data theory” as a way to inform policies that balance the protection of individual privacy with representation of small populations.

Turner applauded the members of the DART team exploring the issue, including lead analyst Connor Flynn ’21, an author on the paper who started the work with his sister—co-author Lilliana Flynn ’21—when they were Chaminade undergraduates.

“It’s amazing to now see them as data professionals working on both the practice and policy issues that affect our communities,” Turner said.

Flynn note that the real-world projects he tackled while studying data science as an undergraduate inspired him to pursue a master’s degree in environmental data science at the University of California, Santa Barbara and then return to Chaminade to work with DART.

“Now that I mentor undergraduates in research experiences and teach data science classes myself, I’m bringing that same approach to my teaching,” he said.

“I’m hoping many more students can make these kinds of meaningful contributions by being involved in applied data science research for Hawaii and the Pacific region.”

Pacific Health Dialog is the Journal of Pacific Research for the Pacific region, and is the only Medline listed medical and public health journal published specifically for Pacific Island countries.

Also in August, DART announced that a separate research paper exploring data on ahi consumption and mercury levels in the blood was accepted for the Toxicology and Pedagogy tracks of the SSRN eJournal. Lead author Alii Napoleon ’25, a Hoʻoulu and NSF S-STEM Scholar, completed the research as part of his data science studies at Chaminade.

The paper uses advanced statistics to probe a national nutritional dataset and offers a risk-benefit framework relevant to communities that consume deep sea fish.

Grant awards that supported this work: NSF HRD-2217242, NSF DUE-2030654.

Forensic Sciences Professor Recognized For Research on High-Profile Case

Carlos Gutiérrez Ayala, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Forensic Sciences at Chaminade, received the American Academy of Forensic Sciences’ prestigious Robert Gaffney Achievement Award at the 77th Annual Scientific Conference this spring.

carlos_gutierrez_headshot 136x200

Gutiérrez Ayala received the honor for his case research and oral presentation, “Forensic Reconstruction and Forensic Taphonomy: An Experiment for a High-Profile Case Conducted for the First Time in Chile.” His work was recognized for its innovation, scientific rigor, and global relevance, marking a significant contribution to the advancement of forensic science research and practice.

The Robert Gaffney Achievement Award aims to promote ongoing professional development in forensic sciences and support emerging leaders in the field.

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“I feel very proud to receive this national award,” Gutiérrez Ayala said, adding that the research was linked to a high-profile case in Chile.

“Thanks to the forensic results of this case research, I was able to provide all the necessary answers for this case and present them to my colleagues at the AAFS Conference.”

Gail Grabowsky, Ph.D., dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, said Ayala’s work “continues to inspire and elevate the field of forensic science.”

She added, “We are thrilled to see his case research receive the recognition it deserves.”

Students Learn with Cutting-Edge Forensics Tech

Forensic Sciences students at Chaminade have a new state-of-the-art tool for learning.

The SuperSpectral device, used to analyze physical evidence, is being made available to students thanks to an agreement between Chaminade University’s School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the product’s maker—Forenscope Scientific Technology, Ltd.

Carlos Gutierrez, D.F.S., assistant professor of Forensic Science, said the device allows forensic experts to visualize physical evidence—from blood to fingerprints to gunshot residue—at different wavelengths so that it can be more quickly and fully analyzed.

Gutierrez said the equipment will be used by Forensic Sciences students in different classrooms, laboratories and for research.

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“Having this technology in the Forensic Science Program is a huge improvement in how forensic sciences are taught because the students can have access and learn how to use this equipment and also search and identify real physical evidence,” he said. “Also, the students can be part of research and present their results.”

Forenscope notes the device has broad implications for forensic investigations, giving scientists a new way to analyze evidence and catch details that might be missed with traditional techniques. “This can help to solve crimes,” the company said.

Carlos Gutierrez, D.F.S., assistant professor of Forensic Sciences (center), poses with representatives from Forenscope Scientific Technology, Ltd.

Forenscope Scientific CEO Mr. Osman Eşki added the agreement will allow Chaminade to conduct research “using the best multispectral technology available in the forensic market.”

Gail Grabowsky, Ph.D., dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, said offering students access to the advanced technology will ensure Chaminade Forensic Sciences graduates “will be ready to serve the community” and excel in their careers.

Additionally, Gutierrez will be offering free online workshops on the device.

Students Investigative ‘Crime Scene’ in Waikiki

The “crime scene” in Waikiki drew more than a few curious glances from beachgoers and passersby.

But it wasn’t police investigating the site. Instead, Chaminade University Forensic Sciences students—in official CSI gear—were the ones collecting evidence and documenting the scene.

The mock crime scene was set up in early April as a hands-on learning opportunity, allowing students to practice critical forensic skills.

“They feel the reality of being in an actual crime scene,” said Carlos Gutierrez, D.F.S., assistant professor of Forensic Science. “They’re applying all the skills they learned during the semester in a more specific and realistic scenario.”



Chaminade’s Forensic Sciences program is known for its practical approach, blending rigorous academics with real-world applications. The setup in Waikiki demonstrated Chaminade’s commitment to hands-on learning, giving students a chance to navigate complex investigative procedures under faculty supervision, Gutierrez said.

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The major in Forensic Sciences includes instruction on the techniques used for recognizing, documenting and analyzing physical evidence, reviews of the legal system and ethical guidelines that govern forensic sciences, and hands-on applications of the scientific method in a lab.

All Forensics Sciences students are required to complete a rigorous, 135-hour internship. Students have completed internships with a variety of entities, including the Honolulu Department of the Medical Examiner, police departments in Hawaii and Guam, and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command’s Central Identification Laboratory.

To learn more about Chaminade’s Forensic Sciences program, click here.