Chaminade University of Honolulu

Natural Sciences & Mathematics

STEM Students Learn About The Power of Hawaiian Sea Salt

STEM Students learning about Hawaiian Sea SaltHoʻoulu Scholarship Program students gathered a workshop about The Power of Paʻakai at Chaminade University on Feb. 13. The workshop featured a presentation, given by Kamehameha Schools representatives, exploring the traditional practices surrounding paʻakai, or Hawaiian sea salt, and its relevance today.

Recipients of the Hoʻoulu Scholarship, which is funded by Kamehameha Schools and Chaminade, are interested in careers in STEM and are passionate about the Hawaiian culture. They generally pursue degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, Forensic Science, Data Science, Environmental Studies, Nursing or Business.

Kamehameha Schools presenters Kimo Chun, program manager, and Sandra Tanaka, employer engagement coordinator, drew from ʻike kupuna, or wisdom of our ancestors, to explain to the 25 attendees how the power of paʻakai is applicable to them and their career development. Paʻakai serves a variety of purposes in Native Hawaiian culture. It is used in blessings, cleansings, medicine, food preservation and cooking. The rock salt is the product of a great deal of preparation including hours of physical labor done mostly in the summer months. Regardless of the amount of hard work that goes into cultivating paʻakai, the presentation emphasized that it is to be shared and given freely with aloha.

 

 

Student’s Summer Research at Johns Hopkins University Earns Award

Chloe Talana and fellow students

Chaminade junior Chloe Talana was one of eight students out of 103 to be named best poster presentation at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students on November 17 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Talana studied blood samples from HIV infected individuals to document how their immune cells function as part of a summer research program at Johns Hopkins University. She first presented her research at the Leadership Alliance symposium in Connecticut and was invited to present her research again at the recent conference in Indianapolis. She attended the national conference with six other Chaminade students, three of whom also presented their research.

“I could never be more grateful to be part of that conference,” says Talana.  “I wasn’t even sure if I was actually going, but then I was fortunate enough to receive a full travel award from the Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research. I was surrounded by bright people with the same passions, the same drive that want to do something good in STEM. I felt at home, especially since this is really what I want to do.”

Chloe Talana

Talana attributes her award to her ability to seize opportunities and the support she’s received from Chaminade professor Dr. Michael Weichhaus. Talana joined Dr. Weichhaus’s lab as a student researcher after she approached him after class one day and asked if he knew of any research opportunities.

“Opportunities don’t just fall into your lap nowadays, you have to take the initiative,” says Talana. “I took the initiative to approach Dr. Weichhaus, and now he’s my mentor and my advisor. He really takes the time to help me understand things, and he really listens. His mentorship has helped me evaluate what I want to do, what I can do and what I should do more.”

Dr. Weichhaus has encouraged Talana to pursue research opportunities outside of his lab, including the Johns Hopkins program. His mentorship has made such an impact on Talana’s experience as a student that earlier this year she nominated him for the President Mackey Prize, which he was awarded at the Na Liko Na’auao undergraduate conference at Chaminade University in March.

“Since I have started working with him, Dr. Weichhaus has validated what I want to do with my future,” says Talana. “A lot of people say doctor’s save lives, and they absolutely do. But if we really think about it, it all comes down to research. Without research, we wouldn’t have advances in medicine. I want to go to medical school to get a combined M.D. and Ph.D. and become a medical scientist.”

Dr. Kate Perrault Named 40 Under 40

Katelynn Perrault

Dr. Kate Perrault made this year’s Power List published by The Analytical Scientist. The annual Power List recognizes the great work of analytical scientists all over the world. This year’s theme, 40 under 40, celebrates rising scientists making waves in analytical science.

“I follow the Power List every year,” says Dr. Perrault. “It’s such a big honor now to be on it. To be nominated for something like this so early in my career is really meaningful.”

As a forensic scientist and an odor scientist, Dr. Perrault analyzes the chemicals released by odors, specifically the odors that law enforcement canines use to find dead bodies. Canines are our best tool to find bodies following a natural disaster, homicide or missing person alert–they latch on to the smell of a certain chemical that is released when a body decomposes.

“We wanted to understand exactly what dogs smell when they find a body,” says Dr. Perrault. “But that became a major challenge because the traditional techniques used to characterize odors weren’t good enough. My work identified better methods with newer technologies, and now I want to use those methods to study how different microbes on a body can change the odor it releases.”

Out in the Field At Lyon Arboretum

Students at the Lyon ArboretumStudents in Dr. Hank Trapido-Rosenthal’s Cellular and Organismal Biology class headed to Lyon Arboretum on Thursday, September 27, 2018. Despite rainy conditions, students learned how to recognize the difference between plants that were endemic (native to the Hawaiian Islands and only found here), indigenous (native to the Hawaiian Islands but also found elsewhere) and canoe plants (brought to the Hawaiian Islands by Polynesian voyageurs).

In addition to learning about the history of the area and the wide variety of plants that call the arboretum home, each student picked and photographed a plant of interest which they will research and write a report about.

Megan Miguel ‘20 at Lyon Arboretum“I picked the ‘ohe plant,” said Megan Miguel ‘20, a biology major from Wailuku, Maui. “I chose it because it’s a type of bamboo, which is a really versatile plant. It can be used for so many different things in society.”

Hands-on learning is part of the Chaminade University experience. “Whether they’re local or from the mainland, most of my students have grown up in the city,” says Dr. Hank Trapido-Rosenthal. “My goal was to get them deep into the valley to see the geology, biology and history of our area. I wanted them to take what they learned in class and see it in context.”

Chaminade Launches New Data Science Degree

VR in Innovation Center

HONOLULU, HI (October 3, 2018)—A hot new major in data science, analytics and visualization is coming to Chaminade University in fall of 2019. Data science is dominating discussions on a daily basis—big data are saturating every sector of the economy and not enough people know how to analyze and communicate them. According to a recent LinkedIn article, data scientist is the fastest growing and one of the best-paid jobs in the U.S. The National Science Foundation, which funded Chaminade to start this program, identified ‘harnessing the data revolution” as one of its 10 big ideas for the future of U.S. science and technology.

“The world is drowning in data,” says Dr. Lynn Babington, president of Chaminade University. “We need more people who can convert data into meaning, into knowledge that will guide our decisions. This program supports Hawaii’s innovation economy and brings a much-needed skill set to our workforce.” She adds, “Why place this program at Chaminade? It’s because we link science with values—our new program places a strong emphasis on data integrity and ethics because that’s the kind of data scientist our world needs right now.”

This is the first data science major in the state. Students will partner directly with industry partners to gain real-world experience and build networks. They’ll work with businesses and organizations for a semester-long capstone project and engage in a variety of hands-on internships. Students will learn using new fully-equipped cyberinfrastructure created specifically for this new program, including a new data science center and virtual reality classrooms.

The new program was a direct response to industry and stakeholder requests. “Data analytics is critical,” says Robbie Melton, executive director and CEO of Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. “It is integral to our state and our economy. We’re excited Chaminade is offering this program because it keeps students current with the most advanced technologies. It also provides them with high paying jobs which is what we want for our young people.”

“Our students will get a tremendous grounding in the technical aspects of data science,” says Dr. Helen Turner, vice president of innovation and dean of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Chaminade University. “They will get the training to be great coders, communicators and visualization specialists.” Turner also noted the flexibility of the new major: “Students can specialize in tracks for healthcare analytics, business analytics, environmental analytics and analytics for the science and technology industries. With our four-year graduation guarantee, we will soon be serving every sector of the economy with our graduates.”

Applications to begin the new data science major in fall 2019 are open now. To learn more about the new data science, analytics and visualization major at Chaminade University, visit chaminade.edu.

 

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

Welcoming New Scholars

“You are very welcome here.”

The Ho‘oulu Scholars Welcome Dinner on September 7, 2018, began with a very welcoming message from Dr. Helen Turner, dean of natural sciences and mathematics and vice president of innovation at Chaminade University. “We are delighted that you are here. Many applied but few were chosen—the Ho‘oulu Scholarship represents an investment in the future of our community here in Hawai‘i.”

Hooulu Scholarship Welcome DinnerChaminade faculty and staff gathered on campus with families from across the state to celebrate the new class of scholars and officially welcome them to the Chaminade ‘ohana. The dinner began with a traditional oli led by returning scholars and Kahoalii Keahi-Wood, cultural engagement specialist at Chaminade University.

President Lynn Babington motivated the students to make an impact. “We are counting on you to lead us into a better world,” she said. “You have an entire ‘ohana here, and we are so invested in your success.”

Thirty six students received this year’s scholarship, joining a cohort of 89 Ho‘oulu Scholarship students on campus. But the evening also brought an exciting announcement from Dr. Helen Turner. Earlier that week, Chaminade University received a prestigious $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to expand the program and offer an additional 15 scholarships next year. She also announced that next year an additional major will be available to Ho’oulu Scholars—the brand new Bachelor of Science in Data Science, Analytics and Visualization. “This will be one of Hawai‘i’s hottest degrees,” said Dr. Turner. “We are the first school here to offer it in support of Hawai‘i’s transition to an innovation economy.”

Hooulu Scholarship Welcome DinnerThe Ho‘oulu Scholarship is a partnership between Chaminade University and Kamehameha Schools to build a new generation of Hawaiian scientists, health practitioners, forensic specialists, environmental professionals and business leaders. Students who are accepted into the program receive full tuition assistance, consideration for a housing stipend and wraparound academic support.Livingston “Jack” Wong, CEO of Kamehameha Schools, inspired the students to work hard and compete. “If you work hard and compete,” he said, “you can do anything.”

Hooulu Scholarship Welcome Dinner