Ruzelle Judicpa - Guam EPSCoR

May 9, 2025May 9, 2025

UOG EPSCoR GECCO Biorepository partners with Smithsonian Institute for DNA sequencing

Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository Associate Abigail Huber collecting tissue samples from specimens to send to the Smithsonian Institution for DNA sequencing.

The University of Guam NSF EPSCoR GECCO Biorepository has partnered with the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., for the DNA sequencing of marine organisms.

The Smithsonian Institution is currently working on a project to DNA barcode marine invertebrate species in US marine systems regions and has partnered with the UOG EPSCoR Biorepository to barcode Guam’s marine invertebrate species. Because Guam has more species of organisms than any other marine region in the United States, this partnership is beneficial for both institutions.

According to Biorepository Curator of Crustacea Robert Lasley, Ph.D., species identification is an intensive process that often requires hours of examining specimens under a microscope and delving into hundreds of years literature on any given organism.

He said it can be particularly difficult to identify the species that are found within any marine system, especially for understudied or obscure organisms such as marine worms, brittle stars and small crustaceans. DNA barcoding is an easier and more effective method way of identifying organisms, by matching a newly generated sequence of one gene to sequences of the same gene that were previously identified and in a barcode database.

“With DNA barcoding, it is possible to sequence one gene of a specimen, compare it with a library of sequences of known species, and arrive at an identification without spending (potentially) years becoming an expert in the particular type of worm you are trying to identify,” said Lasley.

“Sometimes we aren’t able to identify specimens, just by looking at it – either because the differences (between species) are too small for us to see or because we haven’t found the distinguishing characteristic yet,” said Biorepository Research Associate Abigail Huber, who has been collecting tissue samples from the field and preparing them to be sent to the Smithsonian Institution.

The tissue samples undergo a laboratory process that isolates the DNA and a sequencing machine determines the order of the amino acid bases that make up the DNA molecule. This string of amino acids (coded A, T, G or C) of one gene is the barcode.

Each DNA sequence is then reviewed by Huber, who verifies that each specimen was sequenced properly. Because errors can arise in the sequencing process, quality control is one of Huber and other members of the Biorepository’s responsibilities.

“In this case, we look at other specimens that we’ve sequenced that are the same species and compare this section of DNA with theirs to determine what the correct amino acid is,” said Huber. “Species of organisms will have the same (or similar) DNA sequence, which works great for comparing.”

As of April 2025, around 3,100 specimens have been sent for sequencing at the Smithsonian Institution and about 1,500 sequences have been received by the Biorepository. These barcodes are currently being quality controlled and will be eventually uploaded to the Biorepository online database so that researchers from around the world will be able to access this data remotely.

The DNA barcodes generated in this partnership, and the associated new specimens in the Biorepository, will result in the discovery of new species and will aid in research in a variety of fields such as ecology, conservation, fisheries and evolution.

May 6, 2025May 6, 2025

Reflections on the 2024 Guam NSF EPSCoR Summer Math Research Program

(L-R): Dr. Leslie Aquino, Carlo Tapia, Joanna Laguana, Yoonji Seo, Sean McManus, Dr. Hyunju Oh, and Dr. Bastian Bentlage at the 2024 SMRP Student Showcase.

Joanna Laguana working on her project during the 2024 Summer Math Research Program.

2024 SMRP students discussing their project.

2024 SMRP student Sean McManus presenting their group's findings at the 2024 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference.

2024 SMRP student Yoonji Seo presents her research findings at the 2024 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference.

Guam NSF EPSCoR research program students Sean McManus, Sean Pascua, Sam Wheaton (Research Assistant), Carlo Tapia, Joanna Laguana and Yoonji Seo.

As EPSCoR prepares for its fifth year of the Summer Math Research Program (SMRP), we take a look back at our 2024 program and its students.

The SMRP is an eight-week opportunity for students interested in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) careers to engage in mathematical research. There are two components to the program: (1) the Summer Math Research Assistant program, in which students will work with a faculty member on existing projects, and (2) the Summer Math Research Experience program, in which small groups will collaborate on a project to explore the applications of mathematics toward research questions.

In 2024, Summer Math Research Experience (SMRE) students Carlo Tapia, Joanna Laguana, Yoonji Seo, Sean Pascua and Sean McManus developed a mathematical model to investigate how corals change after transplantation by analyzing the different bacterial communities present within the coral at different points in time. Guided by the program’s mentors, including Leslie Aquino, PhD, chair of the UOG Division of Mathematics and Computer Science and Bastian Bentlage, PhD, an associate professor of bioinformatics and co-principal investigator for research at Guam NSF EPSCoR, their project “An Analysis of Coral Transplantation and Bacterial Networks on Guam” contributes to the understanding of the island’s coral reefs and what influences their health and resilience.

Despite coming from different UOG programs – including math, business and biology – the students were able to bond quickly and developed an effective dynamic to accomplish their research project.

“In a way, we just balance each other,” said Pascua during the 2024 program, noting that the group made sure to allow each other to experience different aspects of the research they might have not before.

“We don’t want anyone to focus on being in one role for too long,” agreed McManus. “We want everyone to have experience in each role, whether it’s the writing, the research or the math part. I think we all just want to grow and ensure that we make the most out of this program.”

Fortunately, they were successful in this effort and were all able to learn more about tackling research from different perspectives. Their teamwork and project demonstrated that both biology and mathematics have a role to play in this type of research, with the use of each field strengthening the other.

“In biology, you can only use tentative language and inferences,” said Laguana, a biology student who learned how to tackle research with a more analytical approach through the program. “It takes a while for theories to become laws in comparisons to math. When you go through the motions and are able to successfully complete it, then you can say it’s a proof in a way that’s more concrete than inferences are.”

Because of the program, Laguana believes that the use of mathematical models can help supply more concrete evidence to help strengthen conservation efforts.

“I think our EPSCoR summer program has done really well at exposing our students to marine biology and things they might not have done normally,” said Aquino following the close of the program. “It gives them a chance to do real math research that’s relevant to Guam and our region. Some students really enjoy that aspect.”

Along with giving students a new understanding and experience in the mathematical research process, Aquino also noted that many students who have participated in the SMRP have gone on to graduate school and other STEM opportunities. In fact, students from the 2024 program, were able to present their research at the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference – the largest diversity conference in the United States.

Applications are open now for this year’s Summer Math Research Program. Students and students who are interested in gaining this type of experience can apply to by Friday, May 9. Participants will receive a stipend for participating in the program.

More information and applications can be found at the links below!

For sophomores
& juniors

For Seniors & Graduates

April 21, 2025April 21, 2025

EPSCoR research showcased at 2025 UOG Conference on Island Sustainability

EPSCoR undergraduate student researcher Napu Camacho with his poster at the 2025 Conference on Island Sustainability.

EPSCoR undergraduate student researcher Ale'a Duenas with her poster at the 2025 Conference on Island Sustainability.

From undergraduate students to faculty members, researchers from the University of Guam NSF EPSCoR program showcased their recent and ongoing projects at the 16th University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability (CIS2025).

Student Research Experience (SRE) Program

Four undergraduate student researchers revealed their projects under the 2025 EPSCoR SRE Program during the CIS2025 Community Night Poster Presentations. The EPSCoR SRE Program allows students to work with mentors who will guide them in gaining experience in research and encourage careers in STEM.

Among the posters on display was Na’pu Camacho’s project “Assessing Marine Fish-Biodiversity in Pago Bay Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) Analysis.” Under the tutelage of Bastian Bentlage, PhD, Camacho will be collecting water samples along different sites within Pago Bay at different tide levels. The water samples will then be filtered to extract environmental DNA (or eDNA) to observe the variety of fish species within the existing marine habitats.

Camacho believes that his research will be useful for numerous reasons including the ability to assess environmental changes within a marine system as well as helping develop the use of eDNA as a reliable method of evaluating fish biodiversity.

“I’d really love to discover a new species,” said Camacho about his ultimate research goal, “because then I can have it named after me.”

Here are the Guam EPSCoR SRE research posters presented at CIS2025 Community Night:

- “Assessing Marine Fish-Biodiversity in Pago Bay Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) Analysis” by Napu Camacho
- “Underexplored Sand Biofilm Habitats of Mastogloia in Guam” by Maya Flores

- “Guam’s Enigmatic Ghost Shrimp: Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Local Callianassidae” by Diego Ray Quiogue

- “Assessing Symbiont Responses to Heat Stress in Acropora pulchra” by Ale’a Duenas

EPSCoR researchers presented at CIS2025 breakout sessions

On Thursday, April 10, a breakout session with researchers under the EPSCoR GECCO program was held featuring Biorepository Assistant Professor on Vertebrate Morphology Michalis Mihalitsis, PhD, Graduate Research Assistant Andrew O’Neil and Graduate Research Assistant Diana Noto. During the session, the researchers presented findings and progress of recent and ongoing projects.

Mihalitsis’s presentation was on the feeding ecology of species of surgeonfish, during which he discussed the morphological adaptations of some species to feed on algae and shared video footage to demonstrate those adaptations.

O’Neil updated on his ongoing research studying the effects of turbidity and sedimentation on reef fish, in particular the twinspot damselfish. Among the objectives of his study include examining changes in gill structure and oxygen efficiency as a result of the sedimentation.

Finally, Noto presented progress on her thesis “Diversity of True Crab (Infraorder: Brachyura) Inhabitants Across Algal Hosts.” Noto has been collecting macroalgae across reef habitats on Guam to observe the species of true crabs that can be found within them. She intends for her research to fill an existing knowledge gap since despite macroalgae’s significance within marine ecosystems, there are few studies on it within the tropical Pacific region.

“Macroalgae is generally an under-explored habitat for biodiversity,” Noto stated during her presentation. “There’s more research that has been done on temperate ecosystems. However, only two studies have occurred in tropical ecosystems, which is likely due to the fact that a lot of our focus here tends to be on the coral we have and less on the algae, but we’re trying to work on that with this.”

Research and projects under the Guam NSF EPSCoR GECCO Project are meant to promote understanding of the Micronesian region’s biodiversity and identify solutions that promote the sustainability of coral reefs in rapidly changing environments across the tropical Pacific.

April 15, 2025April 21, 2025

UOG NSF EPSCoR Biorepository welcomes new fish expert

UOG NSF EPSCoR welcomes Dr. Michalis Mihalitsis, the Biorepository's new assistant professor of vertebrate morphology.

Michalis, Credit to Victor Huertas — Dr. Michalis Mihalitsis, as shown above exploring the ocean, has a special interest in the functional ecology and evolution of fish species. Photo credit: Victor Huertas.

Born and raised in Greece by the Mediterranean Sea, Michalis Mihalitsis, Ph.D., gained an interest in fish as a child, fishing with his family and keeping aquariums in his home. He went on to study marine biology and earned his doctorate at James Cook University, studying the ecology of predatory fishes.

Mihalitsis has a special interest in the functional ecology and evolution of fish species, which includes the study of how fish feed and function in their habitats as well as how fish have evolved different morphological features to better thrive in those habitats.

With experience doing this type of research and a desire to live by the ocean, Mihalitsis accepted the position at the University of Guam where his office at the Marine Lab has a clear view of the deep blues of Pago Bay.

“I was telling myself that wherever I end up next I want to be close to the ocean,” said Mihalitsis who was previously conducting post-doctoral research in California. “So when the opportunity came and I found out that the university was looking for a professor in fish morphology, which is literally what my research is about, I knew that I was going to apply to this job.”

This research is relevant to Guam, especially as the island continues to see changes within its coral reef systems and the species found within them due to changing weather patterns.

“We know that reefs are changing. Their benthic composition is changing,” said Mihalitsis. “So we need to know how different species or different fish trophic groups are going to react to these changes because that’s how we can make estimates and predictions about how coral reefs are going to look in the future.”

For a community that relies heavily on the ocean and fisheries, these predictions can then assist our people in learning how to properly manage resources and protect our reefs.

As the new assistant professor of vertebrate morphology at the Biorepository, Mihalitsis is excited about using the micro-CT scanner for his research. Like those used in hospitals, the CT scanner offers a non-invasive way of studying organisms by taking X-ray images of a specimen from various angles and combining them to create three-dimensional images. Mihalitsis expects that the use of the CT scanner will allow him to provide visuals that can elevate his research involving the morphological features of fish.

In general, Mihalitsis hopes that his experience living and working in Guam will allow him to develop as a mentor and educator. He attributes his accomplishments to being guided by amazing mentors throughout his postgraduate and post-doctoral studies. He aspires to fill that role for his future students so that they can become great researchers and critical thinkers.

February 28, 2025March 24, 2025

Behind the Guam EPSCoR library of life

Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository Research Associate Kelsie Ebeling-Whited gathering tissue samples from specimens.

Handwritten notes of the late Dr. Richard Randall, who donated his nearly 30,000 specimen coral collection to the Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository.

A Limaria, or file clam, as part of the Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository collection.

Off the shores of Guam is one of the most complex marine systems in the United States, home to thousands of organisms – many of which are still being documented and identified to this day. The Guam NSF EPSCoR GECCO Biorepository is part of an on-going effort to understand those organisms as well as their habitats.

What can also be described as a “Library of Life,” the Biorepository is a physical and cyber warehouse that houses specimens and data on organisms from waters throughout Micronesia and beyond. The biological specimens include species from historical collections, such as the 29,0000+ specimen coral collection of the late UOG Emeritus Professor Richard Randall, and organisms from more recent EPSCoR-funded research projects, such as last year’s Bioblitz.

Biorep 2 scaled e1739924127695 — Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository Research Associate David Burdick examines specimens at the Biorepository Lab.

“Ultimately, what we’re trying to do is just come up with specimen data that’s world class that a lot of museums don’t have for the organisms in their possession,” said Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository Research Associate Dave Burdick. Burdick notes that one of the advantages to the Biorepository on Guam is that the team has easier access to reefs for field collection, compared to other researchers in the United States.

“We have that advantage to be able to dig deeper and better capture that habitat data. That, I think, helps set us apart,” said Burdick. “And even though we’re kind of new and relatively small, I think that could be really powerful for researchers.”

Burdick, along with the rest of the Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository team, has been working tirelessly to catalog thousands of specimens for both the physical and online components of the Biorepository. Just the Randall coral collection alone has taken several years of work since that data needed to be transcribed from Randall’s original writing dating back to the 1960s.

The team has been working to upload all of the data from the collections onto an online portal which they hope to have fully updated and ready for public use soon. The physical specimen is given a catalog number, labeled and housed in the EPSCoR Annex in the UOG Dean’s Circle.

“When every specimen has been correctly labeled,” said Abigail Huber, a research associate who joined the team in 2024, “I transport all the jars to the annex and arrange them from family down to genus and sometimes species. We had about 2,000 [recently collected] specimens to go through so this took a long, long, long, time.” These specimens can be loaned out to researchers who may be interested in a specific species to study.

P1350209 — Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository Research Associate Abigail Huber collecting tissue samples from specimens.

However, there are still many specimens that have yet to be properly identified, including many from the 2024 Bioblitz. Identifying these species is an intensive process which requires the researchers to look through available literature in an attempt to properly name each specimen. Fortunately, the Biorepository has begun a partnership with the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. to identify the specimens through DNA sequencing. Huber, who has been working on both sorting the specimens and sending tissue samples, notes that DNA sequencing will help researchers identify organisms more efficiently.

Being able to identify these organisms and their homes is important for conservation efforts so that communities can better understand how to protect them, as well as help preserve the way of life for people in the region whose cultures depend on the ocean.

February 25, 2025March 24, 2025

New EPSCoR undergraduate student researchers looking forward to jumping into labs

Guam NSF EPSCoR welcomes four new UOG students to the 2025 Student Research Experience (SRE) program.

Each student will undergo their own research projects under the guidance of one of the Guam NSF EPSCoR faculty mentors – either Christopher Lobban, Ph.D., Robert Lasley, Ph.D., or Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D.

Maya Flores, a sophomore majoring in psychology, has already begun working with Lobban observing diatoms in the genus Mastogloia.

“I’ve already started doing some research so what I’ve found is that it requires a lot of patience, especially looking at diatoms for a couple of hours through the microscope,” said Flores.

She believes that she has the qualities required to diligently observe the microscopic organisms. In fact, she has already become comfortable identifying a few different species of diatoms under the microscope after just a few days studying under Lobban.

“I was just so surprised at how quickly I caught on,” said Flores.

Napu Camacho, a junior in the biochemistry dual track, has begun discussing his research project with Bentlage. Camacho, who intends to go to medical school and become a doctor, plans to bring the skills he acquired doing course lab work to the research experience.

He hopes that through the research experience he will gain more experience in research that will help him in his future career in the medical field.

On the other hand, Diego Quiogue, a biology major, still has yet to decide on a specific career path and hopes that the Student Research Experience will help him narrow his choices.

“Since biology is such a huge field, I was hoping [the research experience] would kind of help me narrow down, at least in terms of marine biology,” said Quiogue, who will be studying crustaceans with Lasley.

“I could decide whether or not I absolutely love it and then decide to maybe get a master’s in marine biology,” Quiogue said

Ale’a Duenas, a previous NSF SEAS INCLUDES undergraduate fellow, will bring her previous research experience to her work under Bentlage. She hopes to be able to learn more about the work and benefits of the research that takes place in Bentlage’s laboratory.

One of Duenas’ goals in this experience is to learn to share research in a way that helps to keep the community better informed. She believes that research is the most impactful when it is accessible and hopes to communicate her findings in a way that inspires and resonates with people.

To see the full interview with the new student researchers, you can watch the video below:

January 29, 2025January 29, 2025

Duenas presents thesis on coral-friendly microalgae

Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant Anela Duenas presents her thesis proposal "Ecophysiology of Coral Species Replacement on Reef Flats of Guam."

In preparation for her master’s thesis defense this summer, Anela Duenas, a Guam NSF EPSCoR graduate assistant, presented her proposal, “Ecophysiology of Coral Species Replacement on Reef Flats of Guam,” that examines the relationship of the microalgae Symbiodiniaceae with reef-building corals Acropora pulchra and Pavona decussata.

Symbiodiniaceae is a family of dinoflagellate algae notable for symbiotic associations with reef-building corals. Through her research, Duenas confirmed two genera of symbionts dominating A. pulchra – Cladocopioum and Durusdinium – and one dominating P. decussata – Cladocopium.

In her presentation held in January at the UOG Marine Lab, Duenas noted the significance of the symbiotic relationship between coral and Symbiodiniaceae for the health and success of reef-building coral such as Acropora pulchra and Pavona decussata.

Duenas has begun working on her experiments under the mentorship of EPSCoR’s Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D., and will continue them over the next few months. She expects to start analyzing her results in March and to present her findings and defend her thesis in the summer.

As part of the process, Duenas will conduct thermal stress experiments on the two coral species that harbor these symbionts. The experiments are designed to simulate coral bleaching conditions, allowing her to observe how the corals and their accompanying symbiont variants react to and recover from thermal stress.

Through her experiments, she aims to document coral species replacement on Guam’s reef flats, assess the diversity of Symbiodiniaceae assemblages present, and understand how the observed corals harboring the symbionts respond to environmental changes.

“Presenting my proposal was a big step in the process. I am relieved it went well, and the audience raised important concerns and questions for me to consider moving forward,” said Duenas, expressing her appreciation for the discussion that followed her presentation. She and her committee carefully considered the feedback and adjusted her methods in ways she believes will improve her experiment.

“I feel more confident after meeting with my committee and addressing these concerns,” she remarked. “I am excited to move forward with my thesis project and conduct my experiment.”

Hailing from the island of Saipan, Duenas first became interested in marine science by observing coral under a microscope on the beaches where she grew up. She went on to earn a degree in natural resources management from Northern Marianas College before obtaining her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Guam.

“I feel more confident after meeting with my committee and addressing these concerns,” she remarked. “I am excited to move forward with my thesis project and conduct my experiment.”

January 29, 2025February 12, 2025

Workshop participants learn computer repair basics

Participants of the "Repairing & Upgrading Your Laptop" workshop as a collaboration between MacTech Guam and the G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub.

Alex Castro, right, works on a computer repair as part of a workshop at the G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub. — Alex Castro, right, works on a computer repair as part of the “Let’s fix it! Don’t Ditch it!” workshop at the G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub.

Jordan Lansang discussing the basics of computer repair during the Repairing & Upgrading Your Laptop Workshop with MacTech Guam. — Jordan Lansang discussing the basics of computer repair during the “Let’s fix it! Don’t Ditch it!” workshop with MacTech Guam.

Walfred Adonay guiding participants through the steps of computer repair for a workshop at the G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub. — Walfred Adonay guiding participants through the steps of computer repair for the “Let’s fix it! Don’t Ditch it!” workshop at the G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub.

MacTech Guam decor featuring computer parts as a way to repurpose electronic waste. — MacTech Guam decor features computer parts as a way to repurpose electronic waste.

From professionals with years of experience to tech newbies, a total of 12 participants attended the two-day computer repair workshop as part of a partnership between the Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub and MacTech Guam.

The workshop “Let’s fix it! Don’t Ditch it!” aims to empower participants to repair, upgrade and maintain their laptops to boost performance, avoid e-waste and save on the cost of replacement devices.

First, participants were introduced to the basics of computer repairs and learned how to identify the different parts of a computer from cooling system to storage options. They also were introduced to the concept of electronic waste (e-waste) and how less than 20% of e-waste is recycled.

Because Guam lacks a facility to recycle e-waste, MacTech has developed a disposal program where people can turn in or trade in devices and unused tech. This program helps deter the creation of electronic waste and illegal dumping on the island. According to workshop facilitator and MacTech Guam head technician Jordan Lansang, there are also creative ways to repurpose electronic waste such as use parts as decorations or jewelry.

However, Lansang emphasizes that learning how to replace computer parts can extend the lifespan of devices and help delay the need for a new device.

“Repairing is the best thing to do for your budget and for the environment,” said Lansang, noting it is common for manufacturers to use less reliable parts to force consumers to purchase a brand-new device within a short time frame.

On the final day of the workshop, participants became honorary junior technicians as workshop facilitators led them through the steps on how to successfully install a new battery, solid state drive and an operating system into a new computer.

“It is kind of intimidating,” said workshop facilitator Walfred Adonay, “but it is something you can learn to do yourself.” Adonay also added that there are many resources available online for people to learn how to repair their computers at home.

“After attending this workshop, I learned that computer repair is not as challenging as it may seem,” said workshop participant Alex Castro, adding that the facilitators made the workshop easy to follow. Because of the workshop, Castro looks forward to being able to use the skills she learned to avoid needing to discard devices so frequently.

The computer repair workshop was offered by the G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub with the intention to equip participants with the ability to maintain their own computers and promote sustainability, support local repair shops and reduce e-waste.

For more information on workshops like this one, visit www.guamgreengrowth.org or follow @guamgreengrowthmakerspace on Instagram.

January 9, 2025January 9, 2025

Near Peer students reflect on 2024 experiences

The 2024 cohort of the Near Peer mentorship consisting of 12 students from NSF INCLUDES SEAS Islands Alliance and Guam EPSCoR came together one final time in November 2024.

From fostering independence to establishing a clear career path — the 12 students who participated in the 2024 Guam NSF EPSCoR Student Research Experience (SRE) and the Guam NSF SEAS Islands Alliance undergraduate fellowship shared their insights at a final Neer Peer mentorship meeting in November.

Overseen by Cheryl Sangueza, Ph.D., the Near Peer mentorship creates an opportunity for student researchers to learn from and mentor each other and shape their career paths in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics). Sangueza is the student coordinator for Guam NSF EPSCoR and co-principal investigator of Guam NSF SEAS Islands Alliance.

One of the major goals of the program is to prepare the students for the SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference, teaching them how to network and best present themselves at the nation’s largest diversity conference. Another goal of the program is to help the students relate their experiences to things outside of science, including how their research connects with identity and culture.

“The process is the product,” said Sangueza during the meeting, driving home that the Near Peer mentorship and research experiences impact the evolution of their self-identity. “It’s the process and the journey that is the product.”

Between bites of pizza, the students discussed their experiences in research, reflected on the year and wished each other well on their future endeavors. While they all had different backgrounds, experiences and intentions in participating, every student was able to clearly communicate the value of the program.

Nicole Pineda, a Guam NSF EPSCoR SRE student, who is in the pre-med biology track decided to participate in the program to widen her perspective on STEM careers. She expressed that she found the mentorship incredibly valuable as she performed research on the ecophysiology of Ostreobiu, a genus of green algae. Despite having no background in marine biology, Pineda was welcomed by her mentors and peers in order to help her build a foundation on the topic.

“I really enjoyed having independence over my own project and something that I could see grow throughout the months,” said Pineda, adding that there was a sense of fulfillment from being able to have questions answered by her research as time went on.

Throughout the year the students not only grew professionally but also personally, finding that the program became a place to learn about themselves. For example, Pineda has become more interested in research-based STEM careers after completing the program.

Despite originally being disinterested in the length of time it takes to earn a Ph.D., Guam NSF SEAS Islands Alliance fellow Nadley Yow realized that she wanted to pursue one after interacting with so many scientists and discovering how much more knowledge there is out there.

Cyril Concepcion, another Guam NSF SEAS Islands Alliance fellow, came to appreciate how empowering it is to be a woman in STEM. Originally feeling the “Women in STEM” label to be tokenizing, her perspective shifted after time with her Near Peer cohort.

“It’s more like an identity that you can help connect with others,” said Concepcion, admitting that she no longer feels limited by the term. “You can be that representation that little girls need.”

Of course, while the program touts itself as a vehicle for self-discovery and career growth, the main benefit of the Near Peer mentorship was the camaraderie. While each students’ research varied, all of the students could agree on one thing: the program gave them a sense of community amongst fellow researchers.

“If you didn’t already feel like you belong in the science community, you come into this and you find out that, there are people that feel the same way as you,” said MaryJolleen Perez, affectionately known as MJ to her peers.

Perez, who studied diatoms under Guam NSF EPSCoR’s Christopher Lobban, Ph.D., spoke about feeling self-conscious over struggling with her research or not having enough information. She had been previously concerned that she was behind in her research, but later found reassurance that her peers could identify with that feeling.

“The Near Peer definitely helped in a way sort of like affirm that I belonged here,” agreed Daniel Urbano, another Guam NSF EPSCoR student researcher, “because no matter how I felt in my research, like, ‘oh, I feel like I’m behind on things’ or like ‘this study isn’t as important as maybe some of the other studies’… everyone was sort of in the same boat when we went to Near Peer. We could talk about it peer to peer, as equals.”

The Near Peer mentorship will start up again in Fañomnåkan 2025 with a new batch of student researchers. Students who participate in either the undergraduate fellowship or SRE can look forward to benefitting from the mentorship program.

January 2, 2025January 29, 2025

UOG’s Donaldson co-authors paper on fish that communicate with sound

Sargocentron spiniferum or Sabre Squirrelfish, the largest member of the family Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes and Soldierfishes), are able to communicate with sound as detailed in a scientific paper recently published and co-authored by Guam NSF EPSCoR’s Terry Donaldson, Ph.D., at the University of Guam. Photo credit: Dave Burdick/Guam Reef Life

University of Guam Professor of Ichthyology Terry Donaldson recently co-authored a paper on bioacoustic communication within the family Holocentridae, a group of marine fishes commonly known as squirrelfishes and soldierfishes. These fishes are known to communicate by sound production. The paper, “Sounds as taxonomic indicators in holocentrid fishes,” was a collaboration with Marine Banse, Eric Parmentier and Estrelle Bertimes (University of Liege, Belgium), David Lecchini (PSL University, French Polynesia), and Frederic Bertucci (University of Montpelier, France). The paper was published in November 2024 in the open access Nature scientific journal NPJ Biodiversity (https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-024-00064-4).

The study is the first large-scale phylogenetic investigation on fish bioacoustics within this family and examines whether it is feasible to use sounds for taxonomic identification of species. Members of the Holocentridae produce sounds through the “contraction of paired bilateral sonic muscles originating on the skull and inserted on articulated ribs in tight connection with the swim bladder.” These contractions produce vibrations that are amplified by the swim bladder. All 73 species that were investigated had certain characteristics that made this family ideal for this type of study. This is especially important because holocentrids are nocturnal and rely heavily on vocal communication in the dark.

From May 2019 to July 2022, almost 400 specimens were collected from coral reefs of French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Guam, Philippines and Seychelles. Sounds made by the specimens were recorded while the fish were hand-held in the field, rather than in aquariums, to minimize artifacts (false signals not generated by the fish but rather picked up in the recording process), and provide the most reliable sound comparisons. The sounds that are created vary by species and can range from grunts to clicks to thumping noises. After recording these sounds, the fish were measured and photographed to confirm species identity.

While species-specific sounds of animals have been extensively documented, there is limited phylogenetic research on acoustic behavior of fish species. “It’s possible to suggest that no two species make the same exact sound, even though they’re closely related,” said Donaldson. “They may have components that are the same but there’s something slightly different here or something radically different if you go from one genus to the next.”

This study demonstrates that sounds can indicate different taxonomic groups, although this depends on taxonomic level (i.e. family, genus or species). It was found that the higher the taxonomic level, the easier it was to differentiate them based on sounds.

A significant portion of this collaborative study was supported by Guam NSF EPSCoR thanks to an award from the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Donaldson is Guam EPSCoR’s Principal Investigator and Project Director.

Donaldson has also co-authored, with Banse, Parmentier, and others, a publication based on a smaller study that describes acoustic communication between nine species of squirrelfishes in their relationship with cleaner fish. “Production of sounds by squirrelfish during symbiotic relationships with cleaner wrasses,” published in Scientific Reports in May 2024 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61990-8), describes the ability of squirrelfish to communicate their desire to be cleaned by cleaner wrasses through the use of acoustic signals. Scientific Reports is also an open access journal from Nature that publishes original research in the areas of natural science, psychology, medicine, and engineering.

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