Education Workforce Development

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.”

March 11, 2024January 13, 2026

UOG’s 4th conservation corps boasts diverse lineup

Members of the 4th cohort of the Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps hold signs representing the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. They are joined by UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D., Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, Senior Vice President and Provost Sharleen Santos Bamba, and UOG Global Learning and Engagement Director Carlos Taitano, MBA.

Members of the 4th cohort of the Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps pledge their commitment to protect the environment and promote sustainability at an event launching the new members on Tuesday, February 27th, at the UOG Global Learning and Engagement Building.

Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps member Hannah Perez, with a background in human resources, shares her motivation for joining the program at an event launching the new members on Tuesday, February 27th, at the UOG Global Learning and Engagement Building.

Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps member Tristan Quintanilla, a policy analyst for four years, shares his motivation for joining the program at an event launching the new members on Tuesday, February 27th, at the UOG Global Learning and Engagement Building.

What do an accountant, former on-air personality, architect, and a human resources professional have in common?

They are passionate about the future of our island and entered the newest cohort of the Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps, a workforce development program by the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, and the G3 initiative.

Now on its 4^th cycle, the program introduced its 12 new members on Tuesday, February 27, at the UOG Global Learning and Engagement Building.

Addressing the new G3 Conservation Corps, UOG Senior Vice President and Provost Sharleen Santos Bamba, Ph.D. said, “You represent the next generation of environmental leaders. Your enthusiasm commitment, and thirst for knowledge inspire us all. The next five months will be a journey of discovery, hard work, and profound personal growth.”

Most members of the 4th cohort come from industries outside the environmental and conservation sectors. Some of them have already established careers in their respective fields but are interested in exploring opportunities within the emerging green economy. 

The members of the new G3 Conservation Corps are:

Nate Aguon (Barrigada)
Thomas Benavente (CNMI, Tamuning)
Makeo Blas (Mangilao)
Telel Blesam (Palau)
Jaevynn Cruz (Talo’fo’fo)
Rico Lizama (Yona)
Beato Manglona (Tamuning)
Jem Miller (Dededo)
Hannah Perez (Barrigada)
Tristan Quintanilla (Hågat)
Emma Sánchez (Dededo)
Loren Villanueva (Yigo)

At the event, the G3 Conservation Corps members shared their motivation for joining the program.

Quintanilla, a policy analyst for four years, stated, “I believe that this is a way to merge the past and the future. As a researcher, I would often look at problems, and search for solutions. However, I noticed a significant difference between learning about things and being able to practice them. So, I am looking forward to that.”

Perez, with a background in human resources, expressed, “Ever since I was younger, I’ve been passionate about addressing climate change because I know it directly impacts our island. Rising sea levels, and trash in the ocean, you see that every day.”

UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D., told the new G3 Conservation Corps that diverse opportunities are available to graduates of the program. 

“Whether your interest lies in aquaculture, agriculture, or even nighttime efforts to catch brown tree snakes, there are immediate job openings in these areas. Many opportunities are available right here at the Research Corporation of the University of Guam, as well as through our various local and federal agency partners,” he said.

Shelton added that most of the members of the previous cohorts had achieved success in pursuing their aspirations after the program. “Over 70 percent of our graduates have transitioned into green jobs or have chosen further training, all closely aligned with the green economy.”

Throughout the five-month program, the G3 Conservation Corps will undergo training and gain exposure in various sustainability-related areas, including agriculture and aquaculture, island beautification, invasive species removal, reforestation, circular economy practices, recycling, and renewable energy. 

They will also have the opportunity to engage with diverse environmental organizations and initiatives on Guam and the rest of the Micronesia region.  

After completing the program, the G3 Conservation Corps will earn up to 80 continuing education units (CEUs) from UOG Global Learning and Engagement.

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.

March 6, 2024January 13, 2026

2023 GRA: Meet our graduate research assistants!

Since joining the Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistantship program, these graduate students will receive mentorship, training, and fieldwork experience as they pursue their master’s degree over the next three years.

ANELA DUENAS

“What made me want to get into marine science is when I got to experience a summer program as an elementary student and I was able to look at coral under a microscope at one of the beaches in Saipan,” said Anela Duenas. “I got to see the coral and how they move and how they’re alive and not rocks in the ocean. That experience inspired me and that made me keep going until now.”

While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Duenas was an NSF INCLUDES: SEAS Islands Alliance fellow as well as a Guam NSF EPSCoR student researcher.

Duenas joined the GRA program to encourage her peers to enjoy research. During her time in the Student Research Experience program, she received mentorship and guidance from a GRA named Justin Berg.

“Working with Justin was really fun and how he helped me as an undergrad encouraged me to help others and do what he did,” said Duenas.

Under the mentorship of Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D., an associate professor of bioinformatics and co-principal investigator of Guam NSF EPSCoR, Duenas is looking into assemblages of Symbiodiniaceae in two coral species – Acropora pulchra and Pavona decussata.

As a CHamoru scientist, Duenas hopes to inspire others within the region to pursue careers in STEM.

“I’ve felt personally connected to the land and the ocean ever since I was growing up, so it’s really cool for me to actually be working in this field and try to better our environment,” said Duenas. “I feel like I don’t see as many local scientists from here and

doing work here, so I hope I get to do some great work and hopefully inspire other locals in this area.”

DIANA NOTO

Diana Noto has always liked the ocean.

“I grew up on Long Island, so I lived in proximity to the water,” said Noto. “They weren’t particularly beautiful or clear beaches, but I always loved it. When I moved to Florida, I didn’t get to be closer to the water, but I got to go to the beach a lot more and get exposed to coral reefs. That’s how I got interested in the marine sciences.”

Noto heard about the program through Garret O’Donnell, a GRA who joined the program in 2022.

“Before he joined the program, Garret had also worked at the Florida Museum in the same lab as me,” said Noto. “When I was applying, I heard that Dr. Robert Lasley, who I worked with before, was taking on a student so I decided to just go for it.”

Robert Lasley, Ph.D., is a crustacean biologist and the associate curator of the Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans (GECCO) Biorepository, a natural history collection of specimens operated by Guam NSF EPSCoR.

“The program’s been really fun so far,” said Noto. “All the other students have been super great. I’ve learned a lot of cool things. Just being near so many cool sites to do fieldwork has been pretty amazing.”

NIKKO GALANTO

Nikko Galanto’s interest in marine biology was fostered in his junior year of high school.

“My teacher was really influential, and she taught us that Guam is unique and that whatever we do on the island has a huge impact on our surrounding oceans,” said Galanto.

Galanto heard about the GRA program in 2019 while he was pursuing his undergraduate degree. During that time, he became a student researcher as part of Guam NSF EPSCoR’s Student Research Experience and eventually went on to work as a DNA barcoding technician at the GECCO Biorepository.

“I thought that since graduate school was a part of my plans and that I’ve always been a part of EPSCoR, I decided to apply to the GRA program,” said Galanto. “I just hope to become a more well-rounded scientist. I’ve learned now that there’s so much I don’t know and that’s a good thing. “

Under the mentorship of Diego Vaz, Ph.D., a fish morphologist and the associate curator of the GECCO Biorepository, Galanto is exploring the systematics and morphology of blenny fish. Blenny fish are small, elongated fish that can be found on the ocean floor, in reefs, or in burrows.

As someone who grew up on Guam, Galanto said that his perspective as a local scientist gives him a really great insight into both the island’s environment and its community.

“I want to emphasize that we need a lot of representation in the field of STEM,” said Galanto. “I think it’s important to see POC in all walks of science and I think that’s

important because we all have different experiences – especially if we come from different islands and backgrounds. We all have something to contribute.”

February 29, 2024January 13, 2026

UOG grad student represents Guam in international fish conference

Karina Mejia, a Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant in the University of Guam’s Master of Science in Biology program, presented her research at the 2023 Indo-Pacific Fish Conference which was held at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

The Indo-Pacific Fish Conference, which happens every four years, is one of the world’s premier ichthyological conferences and is highly anticipated by marine, estuarine, and freshwater specialists. The event is organized by the Australian Society for Fish Biology, which aims to promote research, education, and management of fish and fisheries across the Indo-Pacific.

Mejia’s presentation was entitled, “Population Genetics of the Catadromous Eel, Anguilla marmorata, in Guam and the Indo Pacific.”

Giant mottled eels (Anguilla marmorata) are the most common eels in the Indo-Pacific and Guam. They are an important food fish and an apex predator in many tropical islands and continental streams of the Indo-Pacific, according to the study’s abstract. Determining the eel’s geological and oceanographic location and temporal spawning patterns will provide information key to effective conservation.

During the event, Mejia found it exciting to meet people within her field. She connected with a doctoral student named Yusuke Amai who invited her to explore doctoral programs at the University of Tokyo, which she was able to visit in December. While she was in Japan, Mejia met with Nina Yasuda, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Tokyo who has been helping her with the genetic portion of her research.

“At first, I was intimidated since I was surrounded by experts, but I learned to not be scared and shy to interact with fellow scientists,” said Mejia. “I am glad I learned to overcome my nervousness since I was able to meet a variety of wonderful people and interact with potential mentors for a Ph.D.”

February 25, 2024January 13, 2026

Young entrepreneurs receive mentorship from G3 Makerspace

Prikura Guahan President Yang Wang and team members Jerrick Palomares, Harry Vitae, and Eric Kwan showcase the latte-stone-shaped stamp and inkpad set they crafted using locally sourced wood and invasive bamboo. The team created the product for the 2023-2024 JA Company of the Year Competition using equipment from the G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub (Photo credit: UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant)

Prikura Guahan’s latte-stone-shaped stamp and inkpad set crafted from locally sourced wood and invasive bamboo. G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub has been actively involved in assisting Junior Achievement Guam teams such as Prikura (Preserve) Guahan in crafting products for the annual JA Company of the Year Competition Hub (Photo credit: UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant)

The Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub (G3 Makerspace) opened its doors to Junior Achievement (JA) Guam teams as they prepared for a competition for young entrepreneurs.

JA is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating students about work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.

In February of this year, the non-profit held the 2023-2024 JA Company of the Year Competition at the Guam Community College in Mangilao to recognize these young entrepreneurs and their innovative products.

Each year, G3 Makerspace has been actively involved in assisting JA teams such as Prikura (Preserve) Guahan, whose members consist of students from Harvest Christian Academy and St. John’s School.

In December, Prikura Guahan attended mentorship sessions and workshops focused on using the cutting-edge equipment at the G3 Makerspace. At the end of the sessions, Prikura Guahan used the G3 Makerspace equipment to turn locally sourced wood and invasive bamboo into a latte-stone-shaped stamp and inkpad set for the competition.

“The reason why we chose the stamp is because we wanted to show how invasive bamboo is to Guam. So, for our inkpads, we used invasive species bamboo to make the ink itself,” said Yang Wang, Harvest Christian Academy student and Prikura Guahan president.

The team engraved positive messages such as ‘good work’ and ‘hafa adai’ into the latte stone-shaped stamps. “For the stamp, we used locally sourced wood and laser-cutting and wood-cutting machines to create the (latte stone) shape and laser-engraved parts,” she added.

Wang credits G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub coordinator Abby Crain for providing guidance in the production process. Wang said Crain suggested using charcoalized and crushed invasive bamboo for the inkpads.

“We assist the teams however we can — whether mentoring, counseling, consulting on materials to use, packaging, and even during conceptualization. We also help them develop and find the most cost-effective ways for production,” Crain said on the range of assistance provided by G3 Makerspace to Prikura Guahan and other JA teams.

“We have a partnership with Junior Achievement. Our (Makerspace’s) mission is to promote circular economy and sustainability, and we also aim to promote local production and utilize the plethora of resources available on Guam. We encourage people to buy local instead of importing, and we want to help business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs,” Crain added.

According to a release from JA, 146 high school students joined this year’s competition, with nine student companies stepping up to the challenge. Companies such as Graphic Center, Title Guaranty of Guam, GTA, Dusit Thani Resort Guam, Bank of Hawaii, and Community First Guam provided support to the student teams.

February 16, 2024December 15, 2025

Guam NSF INCLUDES and EPSCoR welcomes 12 new student researchers

Terry Donaldson, Principal Investigator / Project Director for Guam NSF-EPSCoR address the crowd of students and their families at the UOG CLASS Lecture Hall

Austin Shelton Principle Investigator / Co-Principle Investigator for SEAS Guam / EPSCoR EWD, gives opening remarks to the students in attendance at the UOG CLASS Lecture Hall.

Cheryl Sangueza, Student Program Coordinator for NSF EPSCoR gives opening remarks to those in attendance at family orientation.

Incoming SRE's and Fellows introduce themselves to an audience of mentors and parents.

Alumnus of the Student Research Experience (SRE) program, Brandon Respecio shares insights with incoming student researchers in attendance.

Emily Wendte, Education & Workforce Development Program Associate for Guam NSF EPSCoR GECO gives instructions to a crowd of incoming research students and their families.

Incoming student researchers affix their signatures to the year-long contract officially entering themselves into the SRE program.

Students, their families, and mentors within the SRE program gather to commemorate the family orientation event with a group photo.

Student researchers speak to their appointed mentors.

Guam National Science Foundation-Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (Guam NSF EPSCoR) and Guam NSF SEAS Island Alliance INCLUDES programs at the University of Guam welcomed 12 new student researchers and their families at an orientation held at the UOG CLASS Lecture Hall at the start of the year.

The student researchers will be participating in the 2024 Student Research Experience (SRE) program. This initiative aims to boost the quantity and diversity of students pursuing careers in STEM fields.

The program is specifically designed for undergraduates who are seeking valuable research opportunities. Out of the 12 student researchers, five are supported by Guam NSF EPSCoR and seven by Guam NSF SEAS Island Alliance INCLUDES.

The event was also organized to introduce the new SREs to their faculty mentors who will be working with them in the coming year.

Emily Wendte, education and workforce development program associate for Guam NSF EPSCoR-Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans (GECCO) facilitated the family orientation event.

Wendte emphasized the role of the family and mentors in the SRE program. “It’s important to us to involve the family members of our students as much as possible so that during the student’s year-long journey, family support groups are able to ask their student participants questions about how things are going in order to offer support.”

“We want family support groups to understand the nature and requirements of the National Science Foundation grant, and that working along with it can ultimately lead to bigger and broader opportunities for the student”, added Wendte.

The UOG CLASS Lecture Hall erupted with applause from families in attendance as students signed agreements officially entering themselves into the program.

Wendte said that it is a binding agreement for students to fulfill the expectations and obligations outlined by the grant. This includes maintaining communication with peers and mentors, diligently performing research in labs, participating in fieldwork, and adhering to proper protocols and procedures.

Among the mentors and students were alumni of the program, sharing advice and experiences with excited newcomers.

Wendte recognized Brandon Respicio, a program alumnus at the orientation, recalling his journey through the program. Respicio participated in the Summer Math Research Experience (SMRE) and SRE in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Respicio’s list of accomplishments includes scholarship awards to attend the 2022 and 2023 Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) conference. He also received recognition for his student poster presentation at the 2023 SACNAS NDiSTEM conference.

Respicio is currently in his final semester at UOG as a secondary education student majoring in mathematics. He is a first-generation college student.

Wendte says, “At completion of the program, he really wanted to share what he had accomplished that year with his family. His parents were beaming! They looked just as excited and proud as he did.”

For Wendte, witnessing the growth of each student as they progressed through the program helps her to understand the significance of the work she continues to do.

“At the end of the program, when we get to see the fulfillment, pride and joy these students have in what they accomplished—it’s really heartwarming. It’s one of those reminders of why we do what we do,” Wendte said.

January 25, 2024January 25, 2024

Three represent UOG at international coastal sciences conference

A team from the University of Guam attends the 2023 Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Conference (CERF) from November 12 - 16, 2023, in Portland, Oregon. (From top left) Sarai Vega, Dr. Cheryl Sangueza, Anna Aguirre, Anthony Ritter, Tonya McDaniel, Lynn Galang, and Anela Duenas — A team from the University of Guam attends the 2023 Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Conference (CERF) from November 12 – 16, 2023, in Portland, Oregon. (From top left) Sarai Vega, Dr. Cheryl Sangueza, Anna Aguirre, Anthony Ritter, Tonya McDaniel, Lynn Galang, and Anela Duenas

During the event, UOG students had the opportunity to interact with peers, network with scientists within their fields, and attend workshops and panel discussions. This year’s delegation included Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistants Anela Duenas and Sarai Vega as well as Lynn Galang, a 2022 undergraduate student researcher.

Three student researchers from the University of Guam attended the 2023 Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Conference (CERF), which was held from November 12 – 16, 2023, in Portland, Oregon.

The conference is a biennial international meeting of coastal and estuarine scientists and managers that aims to advance the understanding and stewardship of these ecosystems worldwide.

This year’s conference theme was “Resilience and Recovery,” which was chosen to reflect not only the scientific context of those terms but also the resilience of CERF’s community members through the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the event, students had the opportunity to interact with peers, network with scientists within their fields, and attend workshops and panel discussions.

This year’s delegation included Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistants Anela Duenas and Sarai Vega as well as Lynn Galang, a 2022 undergraduate student researcher.

During the conference, Duenas presented her research poster entitled, “Ecophysiology of reef flat coral species replacement in the Mariana Islands.” Her study focused on analyzing endosymbiont communities within stony corals such as Acropora pulchra and Pavona decussata to gather insight about their role in coral resilience.

“My CERF 2023 experience was amazing! I felt so inspired by all the research and people I met. I especially loved the CERF Conference because it was not too big of a conference where you could feel lost and out of place. Instead, the conference felt warm and welcoming like catching up with old friends,” said Duenas.

Galang’s presentation was titled “Taxonomic and Genetic Diversity of the Corallivorous Snail, Drupella spp., on Guam.” Her study focused on determining what species of coral-eating snails are present on Guam to better inform coral management practices.

For her poster presentation entitled, “A seasonal study of meiofauna distribution in Pago Bay, Guam,” Vega explored the world of meiofauna — invertebrates that live in marine and freshwater environments between sand and mud on the seafloor and riverbeds. Copepods, flatworms, and nematodes fall under meiofauna. Vega’s study focused on how environmental changes affect meiobenthic communities

In a session called “Stories from the Braided River: Nonlinear, Enriching Workforce Pathways and Narratives in Coastal Science and Management,” Vega also delivered a presentation about her journey to graduate school in a session entitled, “How many turns does it take? My path to graduate school and beyond.”

Vega’s oral presentation detailed the challenges and successes she faced navigating higher education as an international student, changing her major and choice of career, as well as working while taking classes.

“I learned that when I have doubts in my abilities by taking a hold in the confidence other people have in me, I am able to make the first step,” said Vega. “It’s not “fake it till you make it” – it’s a lot better than that. It’s knowing that you have the support of your ancestors, generations behind you who have worked hard for us to get to where we are. It’s knowing that no matter what, my value as someone in science goes beyond what I can or cannot do. It’s understanding that in a safe environment, learning is bound to take place. “

January 9, 2024January 13, 2026

Two graduate research assistants defend theses

MacKenzie Heagy defends her master’s thesis on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the University of Guam Marine Laboratory.

Grace McDermott virtually defends her master’s thesis entitled, “Intraspecific color variation in Porites cylindrica: the role of color variation in coral resilience,” on Monday, December 1, 2023.

Two Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research assistants closed out their time with the program by defending their master’s theses.

MacKenzie Heagy, a graduate in the University of Guam’s master of science in biology program, defended her master’s thesis on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the UOG Marine Laboratory.

Her thesis was titled, “Diversity and biogeography of the Mastophoraceae in the Mariana Islands.”

Mastophoraceae is a family of crustose calcifying red algae. Representatives of this family are widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific and are particularly abundant on tropical reefs.

As part of her study, Heagy collected samples off the coast of Guam, Saipan, and Rota from various habitats such as surf benches, algal bridges, and reef flats. Over the course of her project, around 300 presumed mastophoroid specimens were collected – including seven new species.

Her advisor was Tom Schils, Ph.D., a UOG professor of marine biology. Heagy’s committee consisted of Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D., the co-principal of Guam NSF EPSCoR and Gavin Maneveldt, Ph.D, a professor of marine biology and biodiversity studies from the University of the Western Cape.

In addition, Grace McDermott, a graduate biology student at UOG, virtually defended her master’s thesis entitled, “Intraspecific color variation in Porites cylindrica: the role of color variation in coral resilience,” on Monday, December 1, 2023.

McDermott collected samples of Porites cylindrica, a species of stony coral, from Luminao, Piti East, and Tumon to compare how their brown and yellow color morphs responded to disease and bleaching conditions.

Her advisor was UOG Marine Laboratory Director Laurie Raymundo, Ph.D. McDermott’s committee consisted of Raymundo, Bentlage, and Héloïse Louise Rouzé, Ph.D., a senior research associate from UOG.