Education Workforce Development

October 16, 2024December 15, 2025

UOG accepting applications for paid student research program

The University of Guam is now accepting applications for the Student Research Experience (SRE) program for undergraduate students for the 2025 term.

The program is headed by the Guam National Science Foundation’s Established Programs to Stimulate Competitive Research (Guam NSF ESPCoR) Education Workforce Development (EWD) team.

Selected students will participate in the year-long paid research internship and receive faculty mentoring, possible travel opportunities and a monthly $500 stipend.

“This is a great opportunity for students who are interested in STEM to get hands-on lab experience with distinguished mentors here at UOG,” said Guam NSF EPSCoR EWD Project Associate Hannah Perez. “This is a wonderful development opportunity for undergrad students from UOG or GCC.”

The mentors for the upcoming cohort are:

-Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D. who specializes in coral molecular biology
-Christopher Lobban, Ph.D. a leading Diatom biologist
-Robert Lasley, Ph.D., an internationally renowned crustacean biologist

Interested students can visit guamepscor.uog.edu/student-research-experience-sre to submit applications now.

Deadline for applications is October 31, 2024 with notifications of acceptance expected to be sent out by November 22, 2024.

The program will officially take place from January to December 2025 at the University of Guam.

For more information, students can contact Perez at perezh8997@triton.uog.edu or call 671-787-3440.

October 14, 2024January 13, 2026

UOG unveils latest issue of CHalan Deskubre children’s STEM magazine

Students got a chance to see the view from under the sea as the University of Guam’s Guam Green Growth Initiative unveiled the cover of the latest issue of CHalan Deskubre, a place-based science magazine for children.

The unveiling happened as over 100 students, including members of the Guam WAVE Club, received the first copies of the issue at a special event held at the Aquarium of Guam.

The theme of this issue is Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water.

Topics covered in the issue include crabs, parrotfish, sea turtles, diatoms and more and was supported by the research teams of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & SG) and NSF Guam Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).

Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio was on hand to celebrate the launch as the Office of the Governor’s Education Assistance and Youth Empowerment Grant Program was the main supporter of the magazine.

“This magazine that we have funded with the University of Guam is meant to give you, your teachers and your parents so many ideas to discover our island and we hope that you see this magazine and take some time to look at it, do the activities, and I hope you have some fun and excitement,” Tenorio told the students in the crowd.

According to UOG CIS and SG Director and Guam NSF EPSCoR Co-principal investigator Austin Shelton, Ph.D., the issue is a great way for students to get familiar with the ocean around Guam and all the life that exists in it. Making it a great tool for conservation and education. He led the students through a quick lesson highlighting the diversity of our ocean ecosystem.

“Guam has over 1000 species of reef fish, and 375 species of coral, that’s more than Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,” said Shelton. “We have so much on our island to be proud of, and you have so much to discover.”

Shelton also encouraged the students to pursue their educational dreams in the marine sciences, adding, “I want you to explore and when you fall in love with the ocean, I want you to become marine biologists too, so you can take care of our very special environment and make a difference on our island.”

UOG Interim Vice-Provost for Research and Sponsored Programs Pamela Peralta, Ed.D., highlighted the university’s dedication to outreach and extension and encouraged parents to continue to help grow their children’s curiosity about the sciences.

“Curiosity lends to discovery. There is much to learn not only in the skies and on land but also below water. We hope today marks further exploration of the myriad of species yet to be discovered and preserved,” said Peralta. “We hope you enjoy exploring the offerings curated for you here and let us do our part to empower our children and inspire them to ask questions and be involved.”

Free copies of CHalan Deskubre are now available at the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Communications Office, House 21 Dean Circle. To make arrangements for pickup, please email Jeremie Charfauros at charfaurosj3148@triton.uog.edu .

Copies will also be distributed at all Guam Public Library System branches and at the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub in CHamoru Village.

October 10, 2024January 13, 2026

Lasley ready to bring crab education to students on Guam in latest CHalan Deskubre

Crabs have always had a special place in Robert Lasley’s heart, and now he is sharing that love to help educate students on Guam.

As a part of the placed-based educational magazine CHalan Deskubre, which is supported by Guam NSF EPSCoR, Lasley has lent his “crab genius” so the children of the island may learn more about the crustaceans and what they do for our ecosystem.

According to CHalan Deskubre Editorial Coordinator Maria Louella Losinio, who also works on the EPSCoR Science Communication Team, Lasley’s gift for conveying science in an easily digestable way makes him a great fit for the magazine.

“The target audience for this magazine is school aged people from kinder through twelve grade and something we can all agree on is the intrigue they all share about animals around Guam,” said Losinio. “Dr. Lasley is able to bring information about the crabs to them in ways that they not only learn from, but are entertained by too.”

Lasley will be featured in the second issue of the magazine, which focuses on Sustainable Development Goal #14 – Life Below Water.

The issue is set to launch this month and will be available to students all around Guam.

October 10, 2024January 13, 2026

Guam EPSCoR students gearing up for SACNAS 2024

From corals to crabs, a group of Guam NSF EPSCoR students are preparing to present posters of their research at the 2024 Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference.

The multi-disciplinary and multicultural event, scheduled for October 31 to November 2 in Phoenix, Arizona, aims to foster diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

A total of 46 attendees from Guam, including 34 students, will be participating in the conference.

The students are supported by various grants and scholarships from the Guam NSF EPSCoR, NSF INCLUDES SEAS, Navigating Home, SLOAN, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), as well as travel scholarships from SACNAS, Chapter Officer Leadership October Retreat (COLOR), and the Research Corporation of the University of Guam.

During the conference, the participants will attend workshops, present research, and connect with officials from schools nationwide for research experience opportunities.

Mya Ngemaes, a senior biology major, is one of the nine students supported by Guam NSF EPSCoR.

Her poster presentation focuses on the impact of heat stress on the respiration and photosynthetic efficiency of Guam’s dominant shallow corals, Acropora speciosa and Porites cylindrica.

Ngemaes conducted a tank experiment to simulate heat stress conditions and compare the performance of corals under both ambient and elevated temperatures.

“I’m really excited because this is the work that I have been doing for a whole year,” Ngemaes said. “Being able to talk about it to other people and sharing what we do here at UOG is something I feel super excited about.”

Daniel Urbano, majoring in applied biology, will present his research on true crabs and macroalgae on Guam.

“We have been surveying macroalgae (sargassum) in the Pago Bay reef flat outside Marine Lab. There are very few surveys done of this type, and more so, all have been done in temperate waters. Guam’s waters are tropical, and they are full of life. So, we are recording this biodiversity,” Urbano said.

Urbano looks forward to his first SACNAS presentation. “I haven’t presented anything in a conference this size. The biggest one that I had was the CIS (UOG Sustainability Conference) early this year. This is a huge step up basically.”

Nicole Pineda, a senior majoring in biology, is excited to attend the conference and meet new people from different STEM disciplines and backgrounds. She believes that the conference will provide opportunities for networking and learning. “It is nice to see and be part of a conference that is so diverse and has a lot of different cultural aspects to it,” she said.

Anela Duenas, a Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant, participated in the SACNAS conference twice. This year, she is coming back as a lead for the NSF Guam EPSCoR students attending SACNAS.

“It feels nice to help other students go through things that I went through,” she said. “Cause I have now some knowledge – like how I can help them prepare. How can I help them be better during the conference.”

At the Near Peer orientation welcoming the student SACNAS delegation and their parents, UOG Senior Vice President and Provost Sharleen Santos Bamba emphasized the importance of the students’ participation in the conference. “SACNAS is an amazing opportunity,” she said. “You will be representatives of this institution. But larger than that, you will be representatives of the island.”

SACNAS was founded 51 years ago to foster the success of underrepresented Americans – from college students to professionals – in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and leadership positions in STEM.

September 20, 2024January 13, 2026

UOG and DFS celebrate conservation and native flowers with sustainable art exhibit

Sustainability is growing with the launch of the University of Guam and DFS “Guam in Bloom” sustainable art exhibit.

A crowd gathered at the T Galleria by DFS in Tumon, to celebrate the unveiling of the exhibit created by the team from the Guam NSF EPSCoR funded Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub.

The exhibit, a celebration of Guam’s rich cultural heritage and commitment to environmental stewardship, featured a diverse array of artwork honoring the native and endemic plants of the island.

According to DFS Vice-President of Operations Billy Chung, sustainability is an important movement for the island that DFS takes seriously in their support.

“We are extremely excited to be able to host the ‘Guam in Bloom’ exhibit here in our Galleria. For us here at DFS T Galleria, sustainability is something that we hold closely in our hearts,” said Chung. “This is something that influences our decisions in a day-to-day manner in order to protect sustainability, our environment and also the local culture here on Guam.”

UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez Ph.D., credited the UOG CIS/SG team for their dedication to conservation and preservation. She also underscored the university’s commitment to continuing the development of conservation workers for our island.

“I am so excited that we are able to continue to bring the talent that comes from the newer generation of conservation leaders and conservation warriors,” Enriquez expressed. “Keep up this voyage so that the future generations are assured and can participate in ensuring that we continue to foster this sustainable culture and sustainable future for our island and our region!”

Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio, who also co-chairs the G3 Steering Committee, was appreciative of the partnership between DFS and the university along with the support for the local arts community.

“The theme ‘Guam in Bloom’ also in many ways recognizes all the talent we have that’s blooming. And a lot of that talent is blooming at the University of Guam,” said Tenorio. “I want to thank the team at DFS—an enduring member of Guam’s business and social community for recognizing that there is a value in showcasing all the best of Guam, but in particular to give a landscape for Guam’s talent to be exposed and showcased.”

Austin Shelton Ph.D., co-principal investigator for Education and Workforce Development highlighted the exhibit’s outreach component and the importance of the message of the art.

“Sustainability is not about sacrifice anymore. It’s about opportunity. We can have a green economy, we can build our economy, diversify beyond military spending, and tourism. We can see the beautiful things that our local artists are bringing out to the community,” said Shelton.

The exhibit is a part of the Sustainable September activities that included a tree planting event, a beach cleanup and workshops and is the second partnership with DFS.

With support from the Guam Green Growth team, the local artists behind the creations were Abby Crain, April Colitoy-Gaerlan, and Francheska de Oro.

“Guam in Bloom” is on exhibit at the T Galleria by DFS on Chalan San Vitores in Tumon during regular store hours and is open to the public until the end of October.

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September 18, 2024October 16, 2024

Guam NSF EPSCoR holds coding and robotics workshop with GTA

The Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub partnered with GTA to host a two-day coding and robotics workshop.

Nine students aged 12 to 16 were taught basic coding skills, programmed robots to drive through a racetrack, designed 3D printed items, and learned how to create circular economy products by touring the G3 Makerspace facilities at the CHamoru Village.

“Hopefully, the students will come away with an understanding of how coding is done and the foundational aspects of it,” said Colette Beausoleil, a STEM teacher at John F. Kennedy High School and the 2024 GDOE Teacher of the Year who facilitated the robotics portion of the workshop. “We are in our digital revolution, so what they learn are skills and exposure to things they will use in the future.”

These activities were part of Guam NSF EPSCoR’s commitment to bolstering the island’s STEM capacity and aligns with G3’s mission to develop tangible solutions to sustainability challenges and contribute to a green economy for the island region. Guam NSF EPSCoR is a catalyst for G3.

“We collaborate with G3 by providing connectivity in all of its centers throughout the year,” said Michele Catahay, the senior community relations manager at GTA.

“We’re always looking for ways to partner, so we talked about how we can incorporate technology and the circular economy and ended up creating an event that the kids could enjoy.”

According to G3 Circular Economy Coordinator Abby Crain, the community’s response to the event was enthusiastic.

“It would be great to do another workshop because we had so much interest in this one that we had a waitlist,” said Crain. “I hope the students came away from these activities more aware of the issues we’re facing so that they can use coding as a way to explore sustainable solutions to better the world that we live in.”

As for Ryan Brown, a tenth-grade student, the workshop was a chance for him to learn skills and meet new people.

“It was a very fun experience and a great way to make new friends,” said Brown. “For future workshops, I would like to see more sustainability education. The more people who are educated in that area, the more they can be compelled to do something about it.”

The coding camp is a deliverable under the Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans (GECCO) Strategic Plan under the Workforce and Development section. In the plan, coding camps will be held to increase IT capacity and workforce development in the jurisdiction, coding camps will be conducted for students and community members.

For future workshop schedules visit guamgreengrowth.org or visit them at the CHamoru VIllage in Hagatña.

July 24, 2024January 13, 2026

Guam NSF EPSCoR supports sustainable fisheries through fish maturity workshop

From May 28 to June 14, 2024, graduate students from the University of Guam as well as scientists from Saipan attended a workshop called Jungle Histology: Fish Gonad Analysis at the UOG Marine Laboratory to learn how to determine the sex and maturity of reef fishes.

“At the most basic level, one of the things that people seem to understand is that it’s a good idea not to catch a fish and eat it until it’s had the chance to reproduce,” said Ken Longenecker, Ph.D., an associate researcher at Bishop Museum and one of the workshop’s facilitators. “But we don’t know the size at which fish reach maturity for about 83 percent of exploited species worldwide.”

Histology is a discipline of biology that examines the microscopic anatomy of biological tissues. In the case of fish histology, the gonads of a specimen are extracted, processed, and then examined with a microscope.

“There are resources here I don’t have back home, so I look forward to learn what I can at these workshops and bring this knowledge back and teach the people there,” said Naomi Billimon, a student at the Northern Marianas college in Saipan and an intern at the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife.

From May 28 to June 14, 2024, graduate students from the University of Guam as well as scientists from Saipan attended a workshop called Jungle Histology: Fish Gonad Analysis at the UOG Marine Laboratory to learn how to determine the sex and maturity of reef fishes.

This workshop was the final segment of the two-part, weeklong Fish Life History Workshop series funded by Guam NSF EPSCoR to enhance regional research capacity within Micronesia and improve the management of fisheries within the Pacific.

Three visiting scientists from Hawai’i facilitated the session: Ken Longenecker, Ph.D., an associate researcher at Bishop Museum; Ross Langston, Ph.D., a professor of biology at Windward Community College; and Erik Franklin, Ph.D., an associate research professor at the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

According to Longenecker, knowing whether a fish is mature is essential to the sustainability of fisheries.

“At the most basic level, one of the things that people seem to understand is that it’s a good idea not to catch a fish and eat it until it’s had the chance to reproduce,” said Longenecker. “But we don’t know the size at which fish reach maturity for about 83 percent of exploited species worldwide.”

Histology is a discipline of biology that examines the microscopic anatomy of biological tissues. In the case of fish histology, the gonads of a specimen are extracted, processed, and then examined with a microscope.

Typically, histological practices require working in a laboratory with specialized equipment, but according to Langston, the method of jungle histology is unique because its needs are minimal.

“We can do this work with just a few batteries, so we don’t need much in the way of infrastructure,” said Langston.

Bolstering regional research capacity
Workshops like this one are crucial in supporting communities within the Pacific who rely on their fisheries for sustenance.

“For a lot of places like Saipan and Guam and other areas in the Pacific, fish are the primary or even the only source of protein that some people have in their diets, so it’s extremely important that we are able to give them data so that they can confidently manage their harvest year after year without depleting their stocks,” said Franklin.

Improving regional research capacity allows scientists to answer questions so that they can serve the interests of their communities and even teach other researchers skills that they have learned.

“There are resources here I don’t have back home, so I look forward to learn what I can at these workshops and bring this knowledge back and teach the people there,” said Naomi Billimon, a student at the Northern Marianas college in Saipan and an intern with the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife.

July 24, 2024January 13, 2026

Guam NSF EPSCoR bolsters regional research capacity through fish ageing workshop

On Monday, May 21, 2024, University of Guam graduate students, members of the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps, as well as visiting scientists from Saipan, Palau, and Hawai’i convened at the UOG Marine Laboratory to learn how to determine the age of fish.

To determine a fish’s age, scientists extract a bonelike structure called an otolith within its ear and count its growth rings.

“Otoliths grow throughout time just like a tree. If you cut one in half, you can count the rings that are being laid down every single year,” said Brett Taylor, Ph.D., the workshop facilitator and an assistant professor of fisheries ecology at UOG.

Many of the participants, such as Christina Muller-Karanassos, a researcher from the Palau International Coral Reef Center, had varying levels of experience regarding extracting, processing, and reading otoliths. “I hope I can use this information in the future because we want to collect life history information for more fish species,” said Muller-Karanassos. “Nobody where I work really does any fisheries work, so I hope I’ll be able to pass on the knowledge to some people there.”

On Monday, May 21, 2024, University of Guam graduate students, members of the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps, as well as visiting scientists from Saipan, Palau, and Hawai’i convened at the UOG Marine Laboratory to learn how to determine the age of fish.

The fish ageing component was the first segment of the two-part, weeklong Fish Life History Workshop Series funded by Guam NSF EPSCoR to improve regional research capacity within Micronesia.

To determine the age of a fish, scientists extract a bonelike structure called an otolith from its ear and study its growth rings.

“Otoliths grow throughout time just like a tree. If you cut one in half, you can count the rings that are being laid down every single year,” said Brett Taylor, Ph.D., the workshop facilitator and an assistant professor of fisheries ecology at UOG. “In the hottest part of the year, these rings are growing the fastest, and in the coldest part of the year, they’re growing slower and creating a denser profile along the banded structures.”

According to Taylor, around 300 fish species are harvested in Guam. Knowing how to ascertain the age of a fish is vital to habitat conservation, fisheries management, and maintaining the perpetuation of local fishing practices and culture.

Many of the participants, such as Christina Muller-Karanassos, a researcher from the Palau International Coral Reef Center, had varying levels of experience regarding extracting, processing, and reading otoliths.

“I hope I can use this information in the future because we want to collect life history information for more fish species,” said Muller-Karanassos. “Nobody where I work really does any fisheries work, so I hope I’ll be able to pass on the knowledge to some people there.”

As part of the workshop, participants gained experience extracting otoliths from a variety of reef fish species at different life stages to hone their skills.

“The next part, which will be taught by our colleagues from Hawaii, will cover the histology of fish gonads. These workshops are putting together the two data pillars of life history information which are how old the fish are and what their maturity status is. When you put those two elements together, you can piece together the biology of the species,” said Taylor.

April 23, 2024December 15, 2025

Guam NSF EPSCoR welcomes new student researchers

SRE:

This year, Guam NSF EPSCoR welcomed five undergraduate students from the University of Guam to its Student Research Experience (SRE), a yearlong internship that provides these students with research training, fieldwork experience, and networking opportunities under the mentorship of scientists and subject matter experts from UOG.

Nicole Pineda:

Nicole Pineda feels that the SRE program will help bolster her skills as a biology major.

During her time in the program, Pineda is studying the biodiversity and biological factors of the green algae genus Ostreobium under the mentorship of Héloïse Louise Rouzé, Ph.D.

Pineda says that she is ecstatic to gain more research experience and learn skills outside of her time in the classroom.

“I feel that this research internship would allow for the hands-on component that reaches further than studying my science courses at University alone and would propel me to develop different perspectives in my STEM career,” said Pineda.

Daniel Urbano

Applied biology major Daniel Urbano considers being in the SRE program a major step in his scientific journey.

“This will serve as a great jumping off point in my scientific career and I’m very happy that I’m able to participate as an EPSCoR SRE,” said Urbano.

For his project, Urbano will research the assessment of macro algae community assemblage and diversity in Guam under the mentorship of Robert Lasley, Ph.D., a UOG senior research associate of crustacean biology.

Urbano says that he looks forward to the opportunity to conduct field studies and diving deeper into his research in a formal lab setting.

MaryJolleen Perez

Integrative biology major Maryjolleen Perez is excited to connect and collaborate with the other SRE participants in her cohort.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work alongside and learn from an amazing mentor and make new connections within the STEM field,” said Perez.

Under the mentorship of Christopher Lobban, Ph.D., Perez is researching marine benthic diatom biodiversity and biogeography.

Perez is most excited about acquiring a new perspective through data collection and is eager to immerse herself in the experience and expanding possibilities it affords.

Ave Lyn Medina

Chemistry and biology double major Ave Medina appreciates the support she’s experienced during her time in the SRE program.

“The program and everyone involved in it have been extremely kind and wonderful to work with!” said Medina. “The program provides an incredible opportunity to gain practical experience in a laboratory setting. And what’s even more exciting is that as an SRE you get to play a major role in a research experiment right from the start.”

Under the mentorship of Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D., Medina is researching how bacteria, specifically two strains of Endozoicomonas, may enhance the growth of Cladocopium C40, a genus of Symbiodiniaceae which plays a significant role in the health of coral reef ecosystems.

Mya Ngemaes

Mya Ngemaes is brimming with excitement to be a part of the EPSCoR Student Research Experience.

As a third-year biomedical major minoring in sociology, Ngemaes is looking forward to broadening her understanding of STEM through the SRE program.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to be part of a program that fosters scientific exploration and innovation in STEM fields. The chance to contribute to research while gaining valuable experience and skills is truly invaluable.”

Ngemaes is currently under the mentorship of Ciemon Caballes, Ph.D., researching the role of starvation in the decline of crown-of-thorns sea star (COTS) outbreaks; specifically Ngemaes is investigating abrupt decreases in COTS abundance at the end of outbreaks and the role of starvation in disease susceptibility and transmission for the purpose of understand the dynamics of COTS populations and their interactions with prey availability, pathogen susceptibility and transmission.

Ngemaes looks forward to the opportunity to acquire more lab experience while working alongside others who share her deep passion for marine ecosystems.

April 2, 2024January 13, 2026

UOG graduate student heads to Okinawa to study marine invertebrates

MacKenzie Heagy, a 2023 Master of Science in Biology alumna and former Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant, gained valuable research experience as part of a six-month internship held at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.

A graduate student from the University of Guam is studying marine invertebrates as part of an internship with University of the Ryukus from April to August 2024.

Joseph Proietti, a Master of Science in Biology student and Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant, is being mentored by James Reimer, a professor at the University of the Ryukus whose research focuses on the biodiversity of understudied marine invertebrates.

As part of the internship, Proietti is studying Palythoa, a type of cnidarian closely related to corals and anemones.

Some Palythoa, like hard corals, have symbiotic algae that live inside them that photosynthesize and feed their host in exchange for shelter and protection. These Palythoa are known to live in places with light availability such as open reefs while those without these symbionts live in caves or reef crevices.

“We’re going to take the Palythoa that have symbionts and the ones that don’t to do what’s called a reciprocal transplant experiment, which will involve switching them between their two habitats,” said Proietti. “Then we’ll monitor to see how this change in environment affects how they function depending on which of their genes are expressed.”

Besides networking with other professionals within his field, Proietti will learn skills that will help him advance as a scientist.

“During this internship, I’ll learn about RNA library preparation, a very specific type of lab work that involves preparing RNA to be sequenced which is complicated and challenging to get right,” said Proietti. “I’ll also learn how to analyze gene expression data.”

Proietti said he looks forward to exploring the reefs of Okinawa during this experience.

“I believe that traveling and experiencing as much of the world as you can is hugely beneficial to expanding your worldview and teaching you things that are hard to put into words,” Proietti. “These experiences are beneficial to not just your professional life, but who you are as a person.”