Main - Guam EPSCoR

October 16, 2024October 16, 2024

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.

April 23, 2024April 23, 2024

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.

March 6, 2024March 6, 2024

UOG launches its first international marine biological survey

The University of Guam launches its Bioblitz, an international collaboration to catalog the diversity of marine organisms along the coasts of Guam from February 2 to 22, 2024. Marine scientists Diana Noto; David Burdick, Dr. Gustav Paulay and Dr. Robert Lasley are joined by Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes, Sen. Amanda Shelton, Sen. Roy Quinata, Dr. Terry Donaldson, Kyle Mandapat, Associate Director for Communications and Community Engagement at the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, Kelsie Ebeling-Whited, and John Paul Labadan.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, speaking on Thursday, February 1 at the University of Guam, welcomes the scientists and says she looks forward to the research’s outcome to help Guam prepare for the future.

Dr. Robert Lasley, Biorepository Curator of Crustacea at the University of Guam, expresses thanks to everyone interested in protecting and restoring Guam’s incredible marine ecosystems. Photos courtesy of University of Guam, Guam NSF EPSCoR

The University of Guam launched its first Bioblitz, an international collaboration to catalog the diversity of marine organisms found along the coasts of Guam from February 2 – 22, 2024.

In a ceremony held Thursday, February 1, at the UOG cliffside, eight visiting marine scientists were welcomed by UOG staff, faculty and some of the island’s elected officials.

“I look forward to what your research says and whatever recommendations and outcomes come forward so that we can continue our own food sustainability and preservation for our future and our children,” said Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero.

A Bioblitz, also known as a biological inventory, is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area within a short time. Due to climate change, many species around the world are at risk of extinction and Bioblitzes provide an opportunity to inform future conservation efforts of at-risk species.

“We have the most diverse coral reefs in the U.S. We have more species of corals and more species of fishes, and we have a lot of stuff that we don’t even know we’ve got yet. That’s up to the people who have come to participate in this Bioblitz to find out what those things are,” said Guam NSF EPSCoR Principal Investigator, Dr. Terry Donaldson.

The Bioblitz is supported by the university’s National Science Foundation EPSCoR grant, which aims to employ cutting-edge methods to determine solutions that address

the challenges imposed by climate change on coral reefs and associated ecosystems.

The visiting scientists include:

· Dr. Gustav Paulay, Florida Museum

· Dr. Justin Scioli, Smithsonian Marine Station in Florida

· Dr. Kristine White, Georgia College & State University

· Dr. Barbara Mikac, University of Bologna

· Dr. Svetlana Maslakova, University of Oregon

· Dr. Ryutaro Goto, Kyoto Museum

· Shawn Wiedrick, Los Angeles County Museum

· John Slapcinsky, Florida Museum

Along with researchers from the UOG Marine Laboratory, the scientists will collect specimens such as crustaceans, worms, and mollusks through dives, intertidal walks, and by snorkeling. For this event, local community members, scientists, and fishers were consulted to develop a list of locations to collect specimens.

“I would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who is interested in protecting and restoring Guam’s incredible marine ecosystems and those who just appreciate it and value it,” said UOG Biorepository Curator of Crustacea, Dr. Robert Lasley. “All forms of knowledge are important and play a role in our endeavor to protect and restore this biodiversity.”

Once the specimens collected during the Bioblitz have been processed, they will be placed in the Guam NSF EPSCoR Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans Biorepository, a natural history collection of marine fauna and flora that serves as an archive of the biodiversity found within the Micronesian region.

“This island has been inhabited for thousands of years and it was made habitable by the ocean around us,” said Dr. Paulay, curator of invertebrates at the Florida Museum and a former director of the UOG Marine Laboratory. “The CHamoru people relied on the marine resources to keep going in a place like this. For an island community, there’s nothing more important than the ocean, so understanding the ocean is absolutely fundamental to island culture and to maintain life on the island.”

February 16, 2024February 16, 2024

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.

December 26, 2023December 27, 2023

Guam NSF EPScoR installs new Micro-CT scanner

Diego Vaz, Ph.D., associate curator of the GECCO Biorepository, sits next to the new Micro-CT scanner installed by Guam NSF EPSCoR. The scanner represents a significant increase to UOG’s research capacity as it is now one of the few educational institutions within the Asia-Pacific region equipped with an instrument of this caliber (Photos courtesy of Guam NSF EPSCoR).

Scan of a fish skull taken with the new Micro-CT scanner. The scanner will be used for projects for the GECCO Biorepository, a physical and cyber natural history collection operated by Guam NSF EPSCoR that holds records and images of marine organisms found throughout the Pacific and other locales (Photos courtesy of Guam NSF EPSCoR).

Guam NSF EPSCoR has installed a new Micro-Computer Tomography (CT) scanner at the University of Guam—making the university one of the few educational institutions within the Asia-Pacific region equipped with an instrument of this caliber.

The acquisition of this instrument was made possible by the support of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) under Grant Number OIA-1946352.

Similar to those used in hospitals, a Micro-CT scanner offers a non-invasive way of studying organisms by taking X-ray images of a specimen from various angles and combining them to create three-dimensional images.

The scanner, which was installed in August 2023, will be used for projects associated with the Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans (GECCO) Biorepository, a physical and cyber natural history collection operated by Guam NSF EPSCoR that holds records and images of marine organisms found throughout the Pacific and other locales.

Using the scanner, researchers can visualize the inner structures of various organisms such as corals, sponges, mollusks, shrimp, or fish. Scans of different specimens can provide a deeper understanding of marine life in the Marianas and the region by offering valuable insight into internal anatomy and how species differ from one another.

“You can couple that information with the information about the ecology of the organism and their genetic relationships. By doing that, you can build a much stronger understanding of the biodiversity in this region,” said Guam NSF EPSCoR Principal Investigator and Project Director Terry Donaldson, Ph.D.

Building capacity

Staff from the GECCO Biorepository trained from Aug. 28 – 30 to familiarize themselves with the scanner. During the sessions, they learned how to prepare specimens for a scan, reconstruct the created files, and process the data.

“One of our goals regarding the scanner is training more people on how to use it. We want to increase capacity and teach students and researchers how to make the most of this machine,” said Diego Vaz, Ph.D., associate curator of the GECCO Biorepository.

Promoting growth

The scanner will enhance collaborative activity, promoting growth in marine taxonomy, ecology, and other fields of research.

“Having the scanner is going to open a lot of doors for what we can do here. We’re excited to have this instrument because it increases our footprint,” said Donaldson. “The installation of the scanner in a facility directly adjacent to a coral reef ecosystem allows for the creation of a Micro-CT Research Node that will draw researchers from all over the region, and indeed, the world, to utilize the instrument in a unique setting. The Marine Laboratory and the University of Guam will become much more visible, and more and more researchers will want to work with us which means collaborations, publications, and the advancement of science.”

September 12, 2023October 6, 2023

Three new graduate research assistants join Guam NSF EPSCoR

Guam NSF EPSCoR welcomed three new graduate research assistants during an orientation held on Thursday, September 7, 2023. These new GRAs include Diana Noto, Nikko Galanto, and Anela Duenas.

“It’s always exciting to see the new students. It’s really one of the best products from this program - getting to know the students and learning from them. I hope you all have a great time while in this program,” said Dr. Bastian Bentlage, co-principal investigator of research.

Guam NSF EPSCoR welcomed three new graduate research assistants during an orientation held on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at the University of Guam’s School of Business and Public Administration.

As part of the three-year Graduate Research Assistantship, these students will receive tuition coverage, a salary, as well as mentorship and support over the course of their graduate program as they research crustacean biology, vertebrate morphology, and coral molecular ecology.

These new GRAs include Diana Noto, Nikko Galanto, and Anela Duenas.

“It’s always exciting to see the new students. It’s really one of the best products from this program – getting to know the students and learning from them. I hope you all have a great time while in this program,” said Dr. Bastian Bentlage, co-principal investigator of research.

The new graduate research assistants will have access to near-peer mentorship opportunities to not only learn from others within their community, but also teach undergraduate and high school students over the course of their term.

“During my undergrad, I heard a lot of good things about the GRA program,” said Anela Duenas, one of the new graduate research assistants. “As a student researcher, a GRA named Justin Berg helped me a lot, so I want to do the same for other undergrad students.”

August 31, 2023October 6, 2023

Math students study the effects of white syndrome diseases on coral

Six students presented their research concerning the effects of white syndrome diseases on Guam’s coral populations using mathematical modeling this summer as part of the 2022 Summer Joint Math Research Program showcase held on July 20, 2023.

Due to Typhoon Mawar, the eight-week program was condensed to six weeks this year. Despite the shortened timeframe, the students were able to familiarize themselves with new mathematical concepts and programming tools while helping each other overcome various challenges.

“The hopes I have for our project is to bring some attention to coral diseases and the state that corals are in right now,” said Ian Galang, an undergraduate secondary education major with a focus on mathematics. “From what we’ve read, a lot of people misunderstand coral and classify them as nonliving organisms, but they play a very big part of the aquatic environment and right now, they need help.”

The Summer Math Research Experience was held concurrently along with the NSA Research Experience for Undergraduates and the Young Scholars Research Experience in Math.

Six students presented their research concerning the effects of white syndrome diseases on Guam’s coral populations using mathematical modeling this summer as part of the 2022 Summer Joint Math Research Program showcase held on July 20, 2023.

The students – four UOG undergraduates, one high schooler, and one recent graduate – were part of the Guam NSF EPSCoR Summer Math Research Experience held at the University of Guam.

The Summer Math Research Experience was held concurrently along with the NSA Research Experience for Undergraduates and the Young Scholars Research Experience in Math.

Due to Typhoon Mawar, the eight-week program was condensed to six weeks this year. Despite the shortened timeframe, the students were able to familiarize themselves with new mathematical concepts and programming tools while helping each other overcome various challenges.

“They would help each other a lot,” said JC Saul, a Guam NSF EPSCoR research assistant and UOG alum. “Whenever there was a part of the data that didn’t make sense, the other group would try to find out what’s missing. Even though their projects are different, they would still try to help each other.”

Using data provided by UOG Marine Laboratory Director Dr. Laurie Raymundo, participants focused on modeling the infection rate of white syndrome diseases on coral as well as how factors such as water quality and temperature can impact infected coral.

White syndrome refers to a group of coral diseases that cause acute tissue loss. During an outbreak of white syndrome, the disease eats away at coral tissue, exposing the white coral skeleton. This disease is different from coral bleaching, white also turns coral white. Coral bleaching stresses the coral, making them more susceptible to disease, but does not immediately kill them.

“Dr. Raymundo and her team had been monitoring coral restoration plots and they had planted some Acropora aspera in February 2022 and did monthly monitoring. In May 2022, they noticed the plot had contracted white syndrome disease, so they were able to track the progress of the outbreak until unfortunately, everything died by the beginning of August,” said Dr. Leslie Aquino, chair of UOG’s Division of Mathematics & Computer Science.

Acropora aspera is a species of staghorn coral, a type of reef-building coral that is largely affected by white syndrome diseases.

“The hopes I have for our project is to bring some attention to coral diseases and the state that corals are in right now,” said Ian Galang, an undergraduate secondary education major with a focus on mathematics. “From what we’ve read, a lot of people misunderstand coral and classify them as nonliving organisms, but they play a very big part of the aquatic environment and right now, they need help.”

May 1, 2023May 1, 2023

Anthony defends his Master of Science in Biology

Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant Colin Anthony defended his thesis in front of his mentors, classmates and teachers at the University of Guam Marine Lab in Mangilao.

His thesis was titled, “Acclimation of Endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae: Improved Insights through Flow Cytometric Phenotypic Profiling.”

His chairperson was Dr. Bastian Bentlage. Colin’s committee consisted of Dr. Brett Taylor from the University of Guam and Dr. Cheryl Ames from Tohoku University.

January 31, 2023January 31, 2023

Six student researchers join Guam NSF EPSCoR

EPSCoR INCLUDES Family Orientation 2023 1

Guam NSF EPSCoR welcomed six undergraduate students from the University of Guam to its 2023 Student Research Experience (SRE) as part of an orientation ceremony held on Jan. 26, 2023, at the UOG School of Business and Public Administration.

The initiative of this internship is to increase the diversity of students who choose STEM careers.

As part of the program, these student researchers will spend a year receiving mentorship and research experience in fields such as coral genomics, invertebrate genomics, marine microbiology, molecular ecology, marine ecophysiology, and diatom diversity.

These students include Madeline Gonzalez, Thomas Babauta, Anna Mallari, Merry Ocampo, Cassandra Paule, and Brandon Respicio.

“It’s a privilege to be able to welcome and work with all of you,” said Terry Donaldson, Ph.D, the principal investigator and project director of Guam NSF EPSCoR. “Do good work and have a lot of fun!”

These students will also participate in near-peer mentorship programs which will encourage them to share their experiences and learn from participants in the NSF INCLUDES: SEAS Islands Alliance along with other programs under Guam NSF EPSCoR.

During the SRE program, the student researchers will be able to present their research at various conferences such as the National Diversity in STEM Conference held by the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics in Science, the UOG Center for Island Sustainability Conference, and the UOG CNAS Conference.

December 24, 2022December 27, 2022

Students present at 2022 NSF EPSCoR National Conference

Two students from the University of Guam presented their research at the 27th NSF EPSCoR National Conference which was held in Portland, Maine from November 13 – 16, 2022.

UOG undergraduate biomedical track major Zaine Benavente along with graduate biology student MacKenzie Heagy presented posters of their research projects. Benavente, who is part of the 2022 Student Research Experience program, presented his project, “Genetic barcoding of cryptic massive Porites species in Guam’s reef flats.”

Heagy, a Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant, presented her project, entitled, “Coralline Algal Phylogenetics to Better Assess Coral Reef Biodiversity.” “I talked about Guam’s vastly diverse marine flora and how my group of interest, Genus Mastophora, is a representation of the many species that have yet to be discovered of the crustose coralline algae,” said Heagy.

Two students from the University of Guam presented their research at the 27th NSF EPSCoR National Conference which was held in Portland, Maine from November 13 – 16, 2022.

This year’s conference theme was “Translating Stakeholder Needs Into Impactful Research Outcomes.”

The event engaged audiences from various sectors, disciplines, and jurisdictions – including state legislators, congressional representatives, as well as EPSCoR committees, scientists, and faculty members.

During the conference, students had the opportunity to interact with peers, and attend workshops and discussions.

UOG undergraduate biomedical track major Zaine Benavente along with graduate biology student MacKenzie Heagy presented posters of their research projects.

Benavente, who is part of the 2022 Student Research Experience program, presented his project, “Genetic barcoding of cryptic massive Porites species in Guam’s reef flats.”
“This was my first time presenting at an off-island conference,” said Benavente. “I didn’t know what I was saying yes to, so it was a big surprise! I didn’t know it was such a small group going. I was the only undergraduate student from Guam at the conference. It was a little intimidating, but I got through it and presented my work.”

Heagy, a Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant, presented her project, entitled, “Coralline Algal Phylogenetics to Better Assess Coral Reef Biodiversity.”

“I talked about Guam’s vastly diverse marine flora and how my group of interest, Genus Mastophora, is a representation of the many species that have yet to be discovered of the crustose coralline algae,” said Heagy.

Heagy said that she appreciated the opportunity to talk about the research being done at the University of Guam.

“It was a privilege to represent some work being produced at the UOG Marine Laboratory while learning about the incredible science EPSCoR has encouraged across the country,” said Heagy. “Facilitating strong research from young scientists, EPSCoR projects ranged from virtual reality fire-wise properties to 3D in vitro models for breast cancer research.”