Education Workforce Development

August 4, 2025August 4, 2025

Tulane University biodiversity researchers visit Guam EPSCoR Biorepository, conduct workshops

TUBRI Senior Manager of Biodiversity Informatics Yasin Bakiş, Ph.D. discussing fish landmarks during his presentation.

Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository Research Associate Dave Burdick during the visit with TUBRI.

Hank Bart, Ph.D., Director of TUBRI, during his visit with the Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository Team.

Biorepository Assistant Professor Curator of Crustacea Rob Lasley, Ph.D., during the TUBRI workshop discussions.

TUBRI's Dr. Bakiş in discussion with the Guam EPSCoR Biorepository team during his visit.

Scientists from Tulane University’s Biodiversity Research Institute (TUBRI) collaborated with the University of Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository in April, leading a series of workshops focused on biodiversity technologies.

Hank Bart, Ph.D., director of TUBRI and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and Yasin Bakiş, Ph.D. senior manager of biodiversity informatics, covered TUBRI-developed technologies, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in processing biological data and fish collection management software. The two TUBRI scientists also toured the university facilities.

“We do biodiversity informatics research and a lot of it is technology for how you can study organisms or infrastructure that you need to store data about organisms – databases, things like that,” said Bart.

“So what we hoped is that there’ll be opportunities to work together for setting up a database for collections, collections in the bio-repository but also other kind of technology they would need,” he added.

Bakiş agreed and added that one motivation for visiting with other institutions is the ability to collaborate in order to develop tools that can be used by other researchers.

“Rather than give them a presentation about what we are doing, it is like brainstorming actually,” said Bakiş, noting that their presentations usually include a lot of time for questions and discussions. “So when we go back home, we bring all those questions with us and we improve our tools and our information systems. It helps a lot.”

One of the main topics of the workshops was Imageomics, a new field of study that involves AI and machine learning to extract biological information directly from images that can turn collections of photographs into databases about organisms and provide insights on many areas of biological research. This has the potential for many uses including species identification, understanding morphology and enumerating samples of microscopic orgasms such as diatoms.

Following the visit Dave Burdick, Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository research associate, said he is interested in the potential benefits of utilizing machine learning for biodiversity research and working on ensuring Biorepository data is ready for AI applications. He believes that establishing and continuing a relationship with TUBRI can help improve the processing of Biorepository specimen data for these purposes.

“By making sure tropical western Pacific fish species are represented in images and data sets that train AI algorithms we can increase the effectiveness of those AI tools for the species in our waters,” said Burdick. “Ultimately, making our images and specimen data more ‘AI ready’ will help make the AI tools more useful for us down the road, as those AI tools will likely allow small teams like ours increase the scope and efficiency of regionally focused biodiversity research.”

Due to the rich variety of organisms found in our region, the Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository is home to thousands of specimens of marine organisms – many of which are still being identified to this day.

“In high diversity areas like the Mariana Islands there is much to be discovered, and much to learn about the species already reported here,” said Burdick, “so we’re always looking for ways to do the work more efficiently and effectively.”

Through this blossoming relationship with TUBRI, it is possible that developing technology may be used in the future to help identify organisms and organize data to more easily make that information accessible to the public.

July 23, 2025August 4, 2025

UOG Biorepository, Marine Lab and NAVFAC host sea sponge workshop

Participants of the UOG Marine Lab & NAVFAC Porifera workshop gather after a sea sponge specimen collecting session.

The University of Guam Marine Laboratory and Guam NSF EPSCoR Biorepository conducted a two-day workshop focused on Porifera—commonly known as sea sponges—bringing together researchers, students and marine professionals for hands-on learning and fieldwork.

Held on May 29 and 30, and conducted in partnership with the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), the workshop detailed the diversity of Porifera species in Guam’s waters, specifically in Apra Harbor. Participants learned basic taxonomy methods used by sponge biologists and also took part in an off-site specimen collection session.

The workshop’s main presentation was delivered by Jan Vicente, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of Hawaiʻi Manoa’s ToBo Lab, and Gustav Paulay, Ph.D., professor of biology at the University of Florida. Having researched sponges in Hawaiʻi for a decade, Vicente discovered similarities between sponge species found in Guam harbors and that of those in Hawaiʻi.

“It’s kind of crucial to have taxonomy workshops at local scales so that we can standardize the methods that we use in different places,” Vicente explains.

Following the presentation, participants of the workshop learned common sponge identification practices using in-person samples. “Some had never seen a sponge before and they went from never seeing a sponge before to identifying different spicule types, to carrying field descriptions as best as possible,” said Vicente.

Spicules are structural elements of a sponge made from calcium carbonate or silica that serve as their skeleton and are major factors in differentiating sponge species.

The workshop went outdoors for its second day as the researchers and participants conducted a sponge specimen collection session. The group convened at Outhouse Beach, a popular scuba-diving spot in close vicinity to Apra Harbor, and spent the morning collecting numerous specimens for identification and categorization back at the UOG Marine Lab. Once they returned to campus, the rest of the afternoon was used for identifying, photographing, and labeling these specimens before they head to storage in the Biorepository.

During a NOAA cruise to Guam in 2017, Vicente collected fresh porifera specimens to use in DNA comparisons against specimens found in Hawaiʻi. These comparisons confirmed to him that the same species of Porifera can be found both in Guam and Hawaiʻi. Through this discovery, Paulay connected Vicente with Robert Lasley, Ph.D., assistant professor and curator of crustacea at the UOG Biorepository, and the group concluded that a sponge workshop held on Guam would be significantly beneficial.

“It was a great opportunity to bring my knowledge from the harbors in Hawaiʻi, because a lot of the species that we find here and the harbors here are found in Hawaiʻi as well, and it’d be interesting to see what are the vectors involved in distributing those species,” Vicente stated.

He also cited the Marine Lab’s access to running seawater and its variety of scientific instruments specializing in studying sponge morphology as reasons to have the workshop here on Guam.

The workshop itself proved to be a success in Vicente’s eyes. Research compounded from years of surveys up until this very workshop has shown the team that local species of Porifera are part of an even bigger species complex originating all the way out from Singapore.

“These specimens that are sitting in museums right now from the ‘90s might be able to yield enough DNA to provide good sequences, but these fresh specimens that have been collected now are going to create even better data because sequencing technology now is amazing,” Vicente said.

Regarding what comes next after the workshop, Vicente hopes that in the next couple of years, there will be a better understanding of the species—providing not only insight into the workshop’s objectives, but also into the evolutionary history of these organisms, what drives them, how they speciate, and how they are connected across the Pacific archipelagos.

On Thursday, May 29 and Friday, May 30, 2025, researchers and students alike gathered at the University of Guam Marine Lab for a Porifera (sea sponge) workshop.

Conducted by the UOG Marine Lab and NAVFAC, the workshop detailed the diversity of porifera species in our local waters, specifically in Apra Harbor. Participants were educated on basic porifera taxonomy methods used by sponge biologists and also took part in an off-site specimen collection session.

The workshop’s main presentation was delivered by Jan Vicente, Ph.D., researcher at the University of Hawaii, Manoa’s ToBo Lab, and Gustav Paulay, Ph.D., professor of Biology at the University of Florida. Having researched sponges in Hawaii for a decade, Vicente discovered similiarities between sponge species found in Guam harbors and that of those in Hawaii. “It’s kind of crucial to have taxonomy workshops at local scales so that we can standardize the methods that we use in different places”, Vicente explains.

Following the presentation, participants of the workshop were taught common sponge identification practices using in-person samples. “Some had never seen a sponge before and they went from never seeing a sponge before to identifying different spicule types, to carrying field descriptions as best as possible”, said Vicente. Spicules are structural elements of a sponge made from calcium carbonate or silica that serve as their skeleton and are major factors in differentiating sponge species.

EPSCoR 20250529 PoriferaWorkshop 125 — *Jan Vicente, Ph.D., researcher at the University of Hawaii, Manoa’s ToBo Lab, demonstrates basic sea sponge identification methods through a microscope.*

During a NOAA cruise to Guam in 2017, Vicente collected fresh porifera specimens to use in DNA comparisons against specimens found in Hawaii. These comparisons confirmed to him that the same species of porifera can be found both in Guam and Hawaii. Through this discovery, Paulay connected Vicente with Robert Lasley, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Curator of Crustacea at the UOG Biorepository, and the group concluded that a sponge workshop held on Guam would be significantly beneficial.

“It was a great opportunity to bring my knowledge from the harbors in Hawaii, because a lot of the species that we find here and the harbors here are found in Hawaii as well, and it’d be interesting to see what are the vectors involved in distributing those species,” Vicente stated. He also cited the Marine Lab’s access to running seawater and its variety of scientific instruments specializing in studying sponge morphology as reasons to have the workshop here on Guam.

EPSCoR 20250529 PoriferaWorkshop 175 1 — *The workshop participants begin the classification process following a morning of sea sponge specimen collection near Apra Harbor.*

The workshop itself proved to be a success in Vicente’s eyes. Research compounded from years of surveys up until this very workshop has shown the team that local species of porifera are part of an even bigger species complex originating all the way out from Singapore. “These specimens that are sitting in museums right now from the ‘90s might be able to yield enough DNA to provide good sequences, but these fresh specimens that have been collected now are going to create even better data because sequencing technology now is amazing,” Vicente explains.

In regards to what is to follow after the workshop, Vicente hopes that “in the next couple of years, we’ll have a better understanding of what the species are, which is going to provide not only information about the objectives of the workshop, but also the evolutionary history of these organisms, what drives them, how they speciate, and how are things connected around the archipelagos in the in the Pacific”.

July 8, 2025August 8, 2025

UOG School of Engineering research at G3 Makerspace explores plastic as construction material

Ernesto Guades, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Guam School of Engineering, works with COMPASS NextGen undergraduate interns to prepare a plastic lumber prototype using an extruder machine at the Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace & Innovation Hub.

Ernesto Guades, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Guam School of Engineering, heats the plastic mold attached to the extruder machine. He is conducting a research project at the Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace & Innovation Hub exploring how certain types of recyclable plastic can be prototyped into commercial-grade plastic lumber.

The research project involves using the shredder and extruder machines at the Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace & Innovation Hub to prototype commercial-grade plastic lumber from recyclable plastic, shredded into small components like the one shown above.

The Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace & Innovation Hub is collaborating with Ernesto Guades, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Guam School of Engineering, on a research project exploring how certain types of recyclable plastic can be prototyped into construction materials.

According to Guades, the project received funding through the Pacific Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (Pacific RISA) Economic Valuation of the G3 Initiative. Guam NSF EPSCoR is a catalyst for Guam Green Growth.

The broader goal of the economic valuation is to assess and quantify the economic impact and return on investment of the G3 initiative, including components such as the G3 Makerspace & Innovation Hub and the G3 Conservation Corps workforce development program.

“We are working on projects on sustainable materials, particularly plastics,” Guades said. “They provided some seed funds to study how we can convert recycled plastics into materials that can be used in construction.”

The project, which began in January, focuses on creating plastic lumber using specific types of recyclable plastic. While plastic lumber is commercially available, Guades said they are usually costly and limited in application.

“The strength of what we found is comparable to what is commercially available,” he said. “We would like to make it affordable so the result is quite comparative,” Guades said.

Initially, Guades used polypropylene, also known as Type 5 plastic, which is commonly found in food containers. With promising results, the research is now entering a second phase, which expands both the scope of materials and the scale of production.

“Previously, we only studied one type of plastic—Type 5, which is polypropylene. So, what we are doing now in the next stage is we try to also cover the other types of plastic,” he said. “We are now going to Type 2, which is called high-density polyethylene.”

This next phase includes combining—or hybridizing—different types of plastics to evaluate their combined strength and usability.

“We try to combine them … and find out what’s the effect. Whether we can include them as one or we can separate them,” he said.

All fabrication and prototyping are being done at the G3 Makerspace & Innovation Hub using specialized equipment, including a shredder and an extruder machine.

The shredder breaks down plastic waste into smaller flakes, making it easier to process. The extruder melts the shredded plastic and pushes it through a mold to create new products.

Guades is also working with the COMPASS NextGen grant program to engage six undergraduate intern researchers over the summer. Some of these students, from the UOG School of Engineering, are conducting hands-on work at the G3 Makerspace, assisting with the operation of the shredder and extruder, and researching plastic combinations to achieve the right balance of Type 2 and Type 5 plastic for strong, commercial-grade plastic lumber.

The project also aims to create larger sample sizes that could be tested in practical construction scenarios.

“Because now we have limited sections—only very small—we would like to make a bigger section so that we can apply that in several applications,” Guades said.

Potential uses include bridge and housing construction. “Well, it is for plastic lumber. This can actually replace timber or wood. But we would like to do more than that. So, the applications will be for bridges or maybe for structural components of houses. So that’s the target,” he added.

“This is based on the initial experience that we have—it’s promising,” he said. “We are getting a comparable result and even better than what is available commercially.”

The Guam NSF EPSCoR program and the G3 Makerspace are connected through their shared mission to advance sustainability and innovation in Guam.

Guam NSF EPSCoR supports research and workforce development in STEM fields that feed directly into the initiatives at the G3 Makerspace. With collaborative projects like this one with the UOG School of Engineering, researchers and students transform scientific knowledge into sustainable products and technologies, helping to drive Guam’s green economy forward.

July 8, 2025July 9, 2025

Guam Green Growth reports regional and local initiatives at July meeting

UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D., and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio facilitate the July Guam Green Growth (G3) Steering Committee. At the meeting, G3 working groups share updates that feed into the island-wide action framework dashboard.

Members of the Guam Green Growth (G3) Steering Committee working groups highlight progress on local and regional initiatives supporting the 17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, including a new Green Growth hub and a watershed restoration workforce program.

At the July Guam Green Growth (G3) Steering Committee meeting, members highlighted progress toward the 17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals—both locally and regionally—including the launch of a new Green Growth hub in Micronesia and a watershed restoration workforce initiative that expands the G3 Conservation Corps.

One of the highlights described by Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant and co-chair of the G3 Steering Committee, was the plan to unveil the Marshall Islands Green Growth initiative at the 27th Micronesian Islands Forum held this month in Majuro.

Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, Ed.D., first expressed the commitment to start their own Green Growth hub back in April.

“During our conference on Island Sustainability, that the Governor co-chaired with the University of Guam President Enriquez back in April, there was a commitment that President Heine made to launch Green Growth in the Marshall Islands — that is coming to fruition this week and we are really excited for them to build on that,” Shelton said.

According to Shelton, to lay the foundation for the Marshall Islands’ hub, the G3 team—alongside Hawai‘i Green Growth and the Local2030 Islands Network—has been helping develop their dashboard and supporting grant-writing efforts to establish a circular economy makerspace.

Another major announcement at the steering committee meeting was the creation of the G3 Guam Restoration of Watersheds (GROW) Corps—a program focused on watershed restoration. During the program, members will work closely with the UOG Sea Grant GROW team and the Guam Department of Agriculture’s (Guam DoAg)

Division of Forestry and Soil Resources. “That’s for six months. That’s going to be more jobs and more trained individuals to go into our green workforce,” Shelton said.

Under the leadership of UOG and the Governor’s Office, G3 working groups also shared local initiatives under different action categories contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These achievements are integrated into the G3 action framework dashboard to monitor island-wide progress.

The reports included the following highlights:

Healthy and Prosperous Communities: Guam DoAg helped develop the first regional Pacific Food and Agriculture Strategy through partnerships with the SPC and other island nations. Guam’s Forest System Plan has been adopted and includes the designation of green spaces and conservation areas. The department is now developing rules and regulations to support its implementation.
Educated, Capable, and Compassionate Island: The GCA Trades Academy reported plans to launch the first maritime courses on Guam and to create airline industry training programs. Meanwhile, the working group also reported the groundbreaking of a new campus of the Northern Marianas Technical Institute in Saipan this month.
Sustainable Homes, Utilities, and Transportation: The Guam Energy Office received a $1.5 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for improvements in government-owned buildings. Projects include installing solar panels, outdoor solar LED lighting in selected parks, and working with mayors to identify other public lighting locations.
Sustainable Alliances: Guam has reaffirmed its request for a UN visiting mission during the UN C-24 (Special Committee on Decolonization) Pacific Regional Seminar in March 2025, according to Melvin Won Pat-Borja, executive director of the Guam Commission on Decolonization. He said the C-24 has adopted a resolution that reflects this request.
Thriving Natural Resources: The GROW team planted over 5,000 trees in Ugum last year, according to Fran Castro, associate director for operations and development at UOG Sea Grant. Also, UOG Sea Grant and Guam DoAg, Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources held a series of fisheries stakeholder meetings across the island, where they shared and gathered community feedback on proposed fishery management measures, including size limits, mandatory licensing and catch reporting, ban on the harvesting of atuhong (bumphead parrot fish), ban on commercial sale of six species, and limiting night time spear fishing.

After the reporting, Shelton acknowledged the efforts of the working groups, saying, “Thank you to all of you, our G3 working group, for all the amazing work that you are doing. It is being tracked in our Guam Green Growth dashboard, and I think the world is really taking notice of that.”

Shelton also mentioned that Guam was recently featured by the American Leadership on the SDGs—an initiative led by the UN Foundation and the Brookings Institution’s Center for Sustainable Development that recognizes individuals and communities advancing the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025

Students board the Nautilus vessel before Marianas Trench expedition

SeaGrant 20250505 EVNautilusTour 78 1024x683 1

Students from the University of Guam’s (UOG) National Science Foundation Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES), Navigating Home and Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) programs recently embarked on an extraordinary journey of scientific discovery, touring the state-of-the-art research vessel, Nautilus Live. This unique opportunity provided future island scientists with an invaluable firsthand look into cutting-edge ocean exploration and research.

The three capacity building programs operate of out the UOG and are dedicated to broadening participation and fostering STEM education and aims to empower the next generation of marine and environmental scientists. The tour of Nautilus Live perfectly aligns with this mission, offering a tangible connection to the deep-sea research that shapes our understanding of the ocean.

Franki Guerrero of the UOG Capacity Building Team works closely with the students through their journeys and fellowships.

“I enjoyed seeing the students have a chance to really visualize the kind of science that is at work around our region,” said Guerrero. “They are taking away a lot of great information and inspiration from this tour.”

Operated by the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET), Nautilus Live is renowned for its telepresence-enabled expeditions, allowing scientists and the public worldwide to participate in real-time deep-sea exploration. The vessel is equipped with advanced remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and mapping systems, enabling the discovery and documentation of new marine species, geological formations, and historical artifacts on the seafloor. The vessel will be conducting an expedition to the nearby Marianas Trench.

During their immersive tour, UOG students explored various sections of the vessel, including the control room where ROVs are piloted, the data labs where scientific observations are processed, and the communication hubs that transmit live feeds from the ocean depths. They had the chance to interact with the ship’s crew and scientists, gaining insights into the diverse careers available in oceanography and marine science.

The visit to Nautilus Live underscores the University of Guam’s commitment to providing its students with unique, impactful learning experiences that extend beyond the traditional classroom setting. By connecting with leading global research initiatives like the Ocean Exploration Trust, UOG continues to cultivate a capable and engaged workforce ready to address the pressing environmental challenges facing island communities.

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 24, 2025April 24, 2025

UOG opens applications for summer math programs

$The Guam NSF EPSCoR Summer Math programs are open for applications. The Summer Math Research Assistant and Summer Math Research Experience is open for students from Sophomore, Junior, Senior and Graduate levels.$

The University of Guam (UOG) has exciting summer research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students passionate about mathematics through two distinct programs supported by the National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (Guam NSF EPSCoR). Applications are now being accepted for both the Summer Math Research Assistant and the Summer Math Research Experience programs.

These programs offer a unique chance for motivated students to engage in cutting-edge mathematical research under the guidance of UOG faculty. Participants will gain invaluable hands-on experience, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and contribute to ongoing research projects with real-world applications.

Summer Math Research Assistant Program:
This program is open for college seniors and recent graduates looking to immerse themselves deeply in a specific research area. Summer Math Research Assistants (SMRA) will work closely with a faculty mentor on an existing research project, contributing to data collection, analysis, modeling, and potentially even manuscript preparation. This intensive experience provides a strong foundation for future graduate studies or careers in STEM fields.

“This is an incredible opportunity for undergraduates to get their feet wet in the world of mathematical research,” said Leslie Aquino PhD, a mathematics professor at UOG and a faculty member for the Guam NSF EPSCoR program. “Students will not only learn advanced mathematical concepts but also develop the crucial skills of collaboration, communication, and independent inquiry.”

Summer Math Research Experience Program:
The Summer Math Research Experience (SMRE) offers a broader introduction to mathematical research. College sophomores and juniors will work in small groups on focused research questions, exploring different areas of mathematics and their applications. This program emphasizes collaborative learning and provides a supportive environment for students to develop their research interests.

According to Guam NSF EPSCoR project associate Franki Guerrero, participants will receive various benefits including a stipend.

“The Summer Math Research Program is more than just an academic experience, it’s a chance to explore STEM in action, and build lasting mentorships,” explained Guerrero. “In addition, SMRE students receive a $4,800 stipend, and SMRAs earn $ 5,400 for the 8 weeks they will be in the program, making it both educational and financially supportive.”

Interested students are encouraged to visit the Guam NSF EPSCoR website at guamepscor.uog.edu for information about each program. Applications are being accepted until May 9, 2025.

April 22, 2025April 29, 2025

UOG introduces 5th G3 Conservation Corps

The 5th cohort of the Guam Green Growth Kupu Conservation Corps, along with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio, UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, PhD, and UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Associate Director for Communications and Engagement Kyle Mandapat, hold signs displaying the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals in CHamoru.

UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, PhD, speaks at the launch of the 5th cohort of the Guam Green Growth Kupu Conservation Corps. According to Shelton, the enhanced program resulted from the university's and its partners' commitment to workforce development, particularly through the G3 Conservation Corps program."

UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez addresses the 5th cohort of the Guam Green Growth Kupu Conservation Corps. She called the new cohort, “the future leaders of Guam’s environmental movement."

The University of Guam (UOG) has announced 12 new participants for the Guam Green Growth (G3) Kupu Conservation Corps, marking its expansion into a six-month program that offers enhanced training and benefits.

The new cohort was introduced by the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant on Monday, March 31, at the UOG Global Learning and Engagement Building.

Over the next six months, the new G3 Kupu Conservation Corps members will receive comprehensive training and hands-on experience in various sustainability areas connected to Guam’s green economy. These areas include agriculture and aquaculture, island beautification, invasive species removal, reforestation, circular economy practices, recycling, and renewable energy.

UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, DBA, called the new cohort, “the future leaders of Guam’s environmental movement.”

“You will gain valuable knowledge, background, and experiences that will ultimately be passed forward and appreciated through this movement for a more sustainable island,” Enriquez added.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, who co-chairs the G3 initiative with Enriquez, also emphasized the importance of having a new cohort participate in the program. “We need people who are very conscious minded of conservation, of sustainability. Because that’s how we can continue our quality of life that we so much deserve.”

Here are the new members of the G3 Kupu Conservation Corps:

Christian Arriola
Curtis-Robert Bukikosa
Joshua Cepeda
Marrae Cruz
Audree Justine Amuan James-Perez
Mi’yah Max
Eyana Pereda
Matthew Pangelinan
Nicolas Quinata
John Reynold
John Rushworth
Gideon Tyquiengco

Reflecting on his decision to join the conservation corps, Bukikosa said, “I want to take care of the island and make sure that the resources we have last for the future.”

Meanwhile, Max saw the program announcement as an opportunity to contribute more to the island. Reynold, originally from the Federated States of Micronesia and a Guam resident for 14 years, emphasized that “giving back to the community is important.”

UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, PhD, said that the enhanced program came to be because of the investments made by the university and its partners into workforce development, in particular, into the G3 Conservation Corps program.

“This is something that has grown in the past few years,” Shelton said.

According to Shelton, the integration of the G3 Conservation Corps with the G3 Kupu Corps for this cycle offers significant advantages. In addition to expanded training, the program now includes an extra month of salary and healthcare benefits for the participants.

Beyond the program’s benefits, Shelton also emphasized its core impact on building a sustainability mindset, which is foundational for the transition to a green economy. “Your role is really important because this is a workforce development program that supports the road toward a green economy,” he said, addressing the new cohort.

Upon completion, participants will receive a stipend and the opportunity to earn up to 80 continuing education units (CEUs) from UOG Global Learning and Engagement. They will also engage with a diverse range of environmental organizations and initiatives across Guam and the broader Micronesia region. The first G3 Conservation Corps program  was launched in 2021.

What is G3?  
The UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant facilitates the  Guam Green Growth, or G3 initiative, in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of Guam and the G3 Working Group, whose members represent all sectors of society. With the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and G3 Action Framework as a guide, G3 develops tangible solutions to sustainability challenges and contributes to a green economy for the island region. 

Guam NSF EPSCoR is the catalyst for G3. One of its programs is the G3 Conservation Corps, a workforce development initiative that creates opportunities in the green economy.

April 22, 2025April 22, 2025

Initial results of valuation study show Guam NSF EPSCoR’s G3 socio-economic potential

Christian Valencia, an economist working on a valuation study of the Guam Green Growth (G3) initiative, shares his initial findings at the Green Growth Summit at the 16th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability. According to Valencia, every dollar invested in the G3 Conservation Corps returns over three times its value to Guam.

For every dollar invested in the Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps at the University of Guam, the island receives more than three times that amount in economic and social value, according to the partial results of an economic valuation of the G3 initiative.

Christian Valencia, an economist, revealed a snapshot of the ongoing study during the 3rd day of the 16th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability.

Guam NSF EPSCoR is the catalyst for G3. One of its programs is the G3 Conservation Corps, a workforce development initiative that creates opportunities in the green economy.

According to Valencia, the study aims to answer a crucial question: How does the G3 initiative — starting with the G3 Conservation Corps — impact the island economically, and how can this information guide future decisions?

With $1.5 million in legislative funding and a $500,000 local match from 2022 to 2024, G3 is estimated to generate an annualized benefit of $1.7 million, according to Valencia. Around $521,461 of the local investment was appropriated for the G3 Conservation Corps program.

“This results in a return on investment (ROI) of 3.42, meaning for every dollar invested in the G3 Conservation Corps, Guam receives more than three times that amount in economic and social value,” Valencia said.

Valencia provided samples of some of the activities evaluated in the study.

An example involves the removal of invasive algae by the G3 Conservation Corps from Guam’s coral reefs, in collaboration with NOAA, the Marine Lab, and the National Park Service. The estimated economic benefit of this effort is $1.7 million per year, based on reef-related economic values associated with diving and snorkeling activities.

Tree planting efforts under the Guam Restoration of Watersheds (GROW) have also produced significant results. To date, over 5,400 trees have been planted, contributing to carbon sequestration, improved air quality, and stormwater mitigation. These activities have an estimated long-term benefit of $235,000 over the next 20 years, according to Valencia.

“Just putting everything in perspective, these are preliminary estimates, and of course, our work continues, but it’s already clear, G3 is leveraging these local investments to achieve more value for our island community,” he added.

Valencia highlighted the importance of moving beyond traditional economic indicators, such as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which he said often fails to capture the full value of sustainability efforts.

“GDP only measures market output, but it does not account for the non-market benefits of environmental conservation, social equity, and public health,” he said. “Our goal is to put a number to the value of these initiatives and show how they contribute to the broader well-being of the island community.”

As the project continues, Valencia will refine their models to quantify the impacts of G3’s work further, helping policymakers and the public understand the actual value of investing in a sustainable future for Guam.

The Pacific Research on Island Solutions for Adaptation (Pacific RISA), based at the East-West Center and Arizona State University, supports the economic evaluation study.

April 21, 2025May 9, 2025

Marshall Islands joins Green Growth movement, commits to 100% renewable energy at UOG sustainability conference

Republic of the Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, PhD, signs the Blue Planet Climate Agreement, committing the Marshall Islands’ transition to full renewable energy by 2045. Present at the signing are Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, DBA, Blue Planet Alliance Executive Director Francois Rogers, UOG Center for Island Sustainability Director Austin Shelton, PhD, and UOG CIS&SG Associate Director for Communications and Community Engagement Kyle Mandapat. The event also coincided with the signing of the Marshall Islands as the newest member of the Green Growth movement on April 9, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency, Guam.

The University of Guam facilitated a historic moment for green economic growth and sustainable development when the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) embraced the Green Growth movement and committed to full renewable energy during the 16th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability.

On Friday, April 11, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, PhD, who served as the keynote speaker at the conference, signed the Blue Planet Climate Agreement, officially pledging the Marshall Islands’ commitment to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2045.

This agreement, established in partnership with the Blue Planet Alliance, reinforces the nation’s critical role in climate action and builds upon its 2018 adoption of the 2050 Climate Strategy, which aims for net-zero emissions through renewable energy.

“This alliance today is helping us to move forward to meet that goal. So it’s really supportive of that commitment that we made back in 2017,” said Heine.

The Marshall Islands now joins a network of other island nations, territories, and states—such as Guam, CNMI, Hawaii, Tonga, and Tuvalu—who have committed to the Blue Planet Climate Agreement. This growing global effort is a demonstration of resilience and collaboration among island communities to overcome their shared energy challenges.

Francois Rogers, executive director of Blue Planet Alliance, emphasized the importance of this collective agreement, highlighting its role in fostering cooperation among island nations.

Alongside the signing of the Blue Planet Climate Agreement, Heine also officially joined the Green Growth movement at the conference. Witnesses in the signing included Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam, UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, DBA, who are the co-chairs of the Guam Green Growth or G3 initiative.

On the important role of the Green Growth movement in strategically implementing measures addressing global sustainable development goals, Celeste Connors, co-chair of the Secretariat for Local2030 Islands Network said, “This is what we’re signing today. It’s recommitting to these green growth principles, island values, and really measuring what matters to our community, building on our political leadership, and implementation and concrete action.”

The Local2030 Islands Network facilitates the Green Growth movement across the Pacific region.

The 16th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability also hosted the first Green Growth Summit, where Borja Enriquez said the Green Growth movement is for the future of the island, “Who are we doing this for? We are doing this for our manhoben, for our youth, for generations to come.,” she said.

At the start of the conference, Borja Enriquez emphasized the university’s part in the movement, “Our conference theme underscores the urgency and proactive approach that we are taking to secure a sustainable future for our island and the broader Pacific region. And the University of Guam plays a vital role in generating knowledge and developing practical solutions for island sustainability,” she said.

UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, PhD, said the expansion of the Green Growth on Guam and across the region indicates an increasing acceptance of the importance of sustainable development. “Sustainability used to be a fringe idea, now it is the centerpiece of global accords — thanks to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. And Guam has found its place as a leader in that movement,” he said.

In 2023, UOG announced its expansion of the G3 Initiative across the Western Pacific, following a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of State through the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program. This grant supports the expansion of the Local2030 Islands Network and the Green Growth Initiative to the RMI, CNMI, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

For sophomores& juniors

For Seniors & Graduates

For sophomores
& juniors