Profiles - Guam EPSCoR

April 15, 2025April 21, 2025

UOG NSF EPSCoR Biorepository welcomes new fish expert

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 6, 2024January 6, 2025

Meet the admin team: Glenn Meno and Annalyn Bansil

Sitting right at the entrance of the Dean’s Circle is the Guam NSF EPSCoR Admin Office, where grant assistant Glenn Meno and financial analyst Annalyn Bansil claim to be their home away from home.

Meno and Bansil make up the dynamic duo, the Guam NSF EPSCoR admin team, which helps keep the organization running and the research going. Their day-to-day includes a plethora of administrative duties from procurement to timekeeping, which is a no-brainer for two folks with decades of combined experience.

However, while both of them have plenty of experience in their respective positions, they both agree that they have had to learn a lot to keep Guam NSF EPSCoR running smoothly. Due to the nature of the organization, their jobs require them to be aware of the intricacies of scientific research.

When the researchers need special supplies such as microscopes, scanners, or even a flume tank from Japan, the admin team gets those to Guam. When samples or specimens are being sent to laboratories off-island to assist with research, the admin team ensures to get it there as quickly as possible. They operate as a unit with each task and rely on each other to keep up with the work, almost as if in a synchronized dance.

“We know all the work,” said Meno, noting that despite their different positions, having everyone on top of each task means nothing is lost in the process. “From step one to the end, we already know the work. So if anyone takes leave, we will take over.”

When they’re not keeping the organization functioning, they have hobbies that keep them almost as busy.

For Meno, he spends time tending to his garden, where he has begun growing tomatoes, peppers, and even calamansi. Bansil, on the other hand, has a hobby fitting for a financial analyst: she likes to memorize retail prices. Are you looking for a good deal for shoes or a coffee maker? Call Ms. Lyn; she’ll tell you exactly where they cost at different locations. It’s no wonder she has a talent for procuring supplies.

For the past five years, both Bansil and Meno have come to enjoy working with the Guam NSF EPSCoR team and look forward to many more. Even with the busyness of the load, when it’s time to return to the office they have no complaints about their work at Guam NSF EPSCoR.

Bansil’s family has even pointed out how much happier she has been since starting the position, finding that she never has to unload the day’s stress when she gets home.

“That’s how you know you’re happy with your work,” says Bansil. “You’re not going to talk about your work because you’re already satisfied. I go home and I (can) just be me.”

October 31, 2024July 10, 2025

Dr. Terry Donaldson: From cold Lake Michigan to sunny Guam

Everyone knows that Terry Donaldson, PhD, is the principal investigator and project director of Guam NSF EPSCoR, but not everyone is aware of his journey as an ichthyologist. When did this interest in marine biology begin?

For Donaldson, it began as a child growing up by the cold lakes of Michigan and following the adventures of Jacques Cousteau through books and television series. It was no surprise that he developed an admiration for fish, having spent a great deal of his childhood snorkeling to find them or catching them with his grandfather.

Donaldson earned his doctorate in Ichthyology which led to him studying various species around the world including New Zealand, Japan, French Polynesia, the Solomon Islands and Guam, where he has been serving the University of Guam’s Marine Lab for over many years.

“Fish can be really beautiful to look at,” said Donaldson, noting that he can enjoy just watching and observing the sea creatures, from physical characteristics to their behaviors. Astounded by the sheer diversity – thousands of species, that we know of – he finds fulfillment in the discovery of new species as well as new observations on existing ones.

One of his most recent publications details the communication behaviors of squirrelfish, which reflects his interest in bio acoustics that stems from undergraduate studies at Michigan State University.

The paper, titled “Production of sounds by squirrelfish during symbiotic relationships with cleaner wrasses,” observes nine species of Holocentridae (squirrelfish) and how they use acoustic signals to communicate in their interactions with cleaner wrasses.

Throughout this life-long journey in Ichthyology and marine biology, Donaldson has also ended up in several leadership positions including principal investigator and project director of Guam NSF ESPCOR and the former head of UOG’s Marine Laboratory.

Most recently, he was elected as President of the National Association of Marine Laboratories in January of this year.

With decades of experience in research and leadership, he subscribes to the belief that learning is a lifelong endeavor.

“Every day I come through the door and I learn something new. Often people in this building teach me or just (through) interacting with other people, I learn something new,” he said nothing that Guam NSF EPSCoR’s successes are not just from his leadership but because he has a talented team working with him.

“Don’t be afraid to get your feet wet!” Donaldson said, offering a piece of advice to those just starting their careers.

He believes in the importance of trying new activities and cultivating interests that can be useful years down the line. This belief has certainly proven true for this scientist, whose love for marine animals started well before his own career took off.

April 23, 2024July 10, 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.

March 6, 2024July 10, 2025

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.”

September 25, 2023July 10, 2025

Galarion is EPSCoR’s new research computing facilitator

Within the ever-evolving landscape of research computing, Hark Galarion has found his niche as a part of Guam EPSCoR ‘s (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) cyberinfrastructure team since May 2023. 

Galarion has a background in computer science from various institutions including Eastern Oregon University and Guam Community College. He is currently working towards earning his bachelor’s degree at the University of Guam.

As Guam EPSCoR’s new research computing facilitator, he personally applies a more wholistic learning approach to computational science by combining classroom and on-the-job, real-world experience.

Within Guam EPSCoR, Galarion collaborates closely with Bastian Bentlage, PhD. his supervisor at the facility. Bentlage, an Associate Professor of Bioinformatics and EPSCoR Science Co-Lead for Genomes Research Objectives and Cyberinfrastructure, guides Galarion in his work.

“My responsibilities (as a research computing facilitator) involve maintaining servers located at OIT (UOG Office of Information Technology) and assisting researchers in their work,” shared Galarion.

Galarion’s day-to-day tasks go beyond the ordinary. Operating from the UOG Office of Information Technology (OIT), he ensures tasks are streamlined and efficiently distributed across various computing sites. A meticulous approach is crucial, according to Galarion, given the significance of having sufficient computing power to support numerous research projects undertaken by Guam EPSCoR.

Galarion simplifies his work, comparing it to breaking down intricate tasks into manageable pieces, akin to solving a puzzle.

He says, “Basically, it (research computing process) splits the load of the job instead of relying on the OIT side, the data center here, to do one big job, it could basically send out smaller jobs to be worked on (by other centers) faster and then come back.”

Several years ago, UOG OIT initiated its high-speed 100Gb Guam Open Research & Education eXchange (GOREX). The GOREX network connects Guam to Hawaii and California via the SEA-US fiber-optic submarine cable.

This network, capable of facilitating high-speed exchanges of extensive scientific datasets between Guam and other research institutions, improved research initiatives at the university, including EPSCoR.

Galarion’s journey into computer science originated from his passion for gaming. Although the COVID-19 pandemic altered his initial dream of becoming a game developer, his gaming background equipped him with invaluable problem-solving skills essential for his current role.

“In computer science, a lot of problems may occur. There is no straightforward answer, there are roadblocks sometimes, especially when I am doing programming. A lot of things may affect programming itself,” he said.

Beyond his professional commitments, Galarion takes a break by playing soccer or spearfishing and hiking. Having played for the Northern Mariana Islands National Soccer Team, he now participates in the UOG Men’s Soccer Team.

Looking ahead, Galarion envisions implementing similar research computing initiatives at Northern Marianas College in the CNMI. His ambition is to pave the way for the next generation of computational scientists from his hometown.

April 1, 2023July 10, 2025

Meet Robert Lasley: Crustacean biologist and new biorepository associate curator

The Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans (GECCO) Biorepository, a new marine biodiversity collection operated by Guam NSF EPSCoR (National Science Foundation – Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research), recently hired crustacean biologist Robert Lasley, Ph.D. as an associate curator. His responsibilities include building a marine invertebrate collection and documenting the crustaceans in Guam and the region.

Lasley’s first studied photojournalism in college. However, he soon found himself drawn to the study of biodiversity and switched his major.

After completing his undergraduate studies in Zoology at the University of Florida, he earned his Ph.D. from the National University of Singapore before becoming a curator at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in Florida.

At some point, Lasley said he took a break from academia and found work as a deckhand on an expedition yacht for a year and a half. While on break, he also travelled to remote locations and worked as a Zodiac driver.

According to Lasley, his experience operating boats and living at sea proved valuable to his work as a crustacean biologist.

“It has been important just to understand the ocean and also (to understand) practical things like how to operate a boat and how to live at sea,” he said.

Lasley ultimately returned to the field of science and worked as a researcher at the Florida Museum of Natural History. A few months ago, he began his current position as associate curator at the GECCO biorepository.

“The element that unites my background is a love for diversity. So, obviously, marine biodiversity. But also a diversity of habitats as I travel… diverse cultures and so on. The other element is a love for the ocean,” he said.

As a crustacean biologist, Lasley is interested in crab systematics and taxonomy, including describing new species and understanding how they are related. He is also studying biogeography, speciation, natural and sexual selection, and the impact of ecosystems on the evolution and diversification of land crabs.

Lasley said his work at the GECCO biorepository is strategic because Guam is close to the Coral Triangle, the most diverse marine region in the world.

January 31, 2023July 10, 2025

Richard Randall: The life of a naturalist

Guam NSF EPSCoR is paying tribute to one of its finest in Professor Emeritus Richard “Dick” Randall, who passed away late last year at the age of 91.

“He was kind, gentle, generous, astute, knowledgeable, and understanding – all of these amazing qualities that you would really want in not just a scientist or a professor, but a colleague and a friend,” said David Burdick, the collections manager of the Guam NSF EPSCoR GECCO Biorepository. — Guam NSF EPSCoR is paying tribute to one of its finest in Professor Emeritus Richard “Dick” Randall, who passed away late last year at the age of 91. “He was kind, gentle, generous, astute, knowledgeable, and understanding – all of these amazing qualities that you would really want in not just a scientist or a professor, but a colleague and a friend,” said David Burdick, the collections manager of the Guam NSF EPSCoR GECCO Biorepository.

Randall was both a geologist and a biologist and had no shortage of fascination for the world around him.

After he and his family came to Guam in 1965, he would often spend a lot of time in the ocean observing the reefs and collecting corals.

This photo features Randall’s office at the UOG Marine Laboratory filled with coral specimens he collected throughout the Pacific.

“He’ll be missed,” said Terry Donaldson, Ph.D., the principal investigator of Guam NSF EPSCoR. “They don’t come around like he did. He was special. We’re thankful for the time we had with him.”

Photos courtesy of Lauren Gutierrez — “He’ll be missed,” said Terry Donaldson, Ph.D., the principal investigator of Guam NSF EPSCoR. “They don’t come around like he did. He was special. We’re thankful for the time we had with him.” Photos courtesy of Lauren Gutierrez

Guam NSF EPSCoR is paying tribute to one of its finest in Professor Emeritus Richard “Dick” Randall, who passed away late last year at the age of 91.

“He was kind, gentle, generous, astute, knowledgeable, and understanding – all of these amazing qualities that you would really want in not just a scientist or a professor, but a colleague and a friend,” said David Burdick, the collections manager of the Guam NSF EPSCoR GECCO Biorepository.

As a naturalist, Randall was full of curiosity and wonder for the world around him.

His interest in corals started on a farm in Ohio, where he came across limestone fossils and asked his father what they were. This fascination led him to pursue a degree in biology and become a science teacher at George Washington High School when he and his family came to Guam in 1965.

His daughter, Lauren Gutierrez, recalled fondly that he would spend almost every day in the ocean after they had arrived to the island.

“When I was a kid, I used to live with him out in the reef,” said Gutierrez. “He would tie a belt to an inner tube that had a board in it. He would dive down and get the corals and I’d pick them up and put them in the inner tube.”

Later, Randall received a master’s degree in biology from the University of Guam Marine Laboratory in 1971 – just a year after the facility was established – and went on to teach about corals at the university.

Randall did not pursue science for fame or renown, but to satisfy his curiosity and share his knowledge with whoever was willing to listen.

His love for the world around him was relayed through the highly detailed quality of his research, which would include meticulous notes and sketches of the coral species he observed.

“That’s just the kind of guy that he was,” Terry Donaldson, Ph.D., the principal investigator and project director of Guam NSF EPSCoR. “He was a biologist and a geologist, which is not something I always see these days. He always found something interesting to look at and he could tell you about it because he was very knowledgeable.”

Impact on coral research

Over the course of his life, Randall worked on 180 scientific publications and accumulated several achievements.

Randall’s research on the impacts of crown-of-thorns starfish on the island’s reefs in the late ‘60s was foundational when it came to understanding more about how coral communities changed in response to outbreaks of the starfish, which prey upon stony corals.

In 1983, he wrote the second volume of Guide to the Coastal Resources of Guam, a field guide of the coral species found in Guam waters.

The UOG Marine Laboratory named a research vessel after him in 2016 for his contributions to the institution’s development.

As part of a ceremony held in March 2022, Randall was one of six recipients of the 2021 UOG Distinguished Alumni Award – a prestigious designation given to UOG alumni based on professional accomplishments in their field, character and integrity, as well as achievements of local, national, or international significance.

Randall’s legacy

Although Randall has passed, his legacy lives on in the people who loved and were inspired by him.

In June 2021, the Guam NSF EPSCoR GECCO Biorepository was given the honor to house over 30,000 coral specimens he collected – the largest addition to the facility to date.

The GECCO Biorepository is both a physical and cyber warehouse of records and images of marine organisms found throughout the Pacific and other locales. The collection will serve as a resource for researchers around the world to reference and better understand the diversity of the corals found in the Marianas.

In addition, Burdick, a longtime friend of Randall, is working on a series of books about coral species found in the Marianas, which will be an expansion of Randall’s coral field guide. The series will contain Randall’s notes about coral species, including new species that have not been described.

Donaldson said that Guam NSF EPSCoR will be happy to support the completion of the project.

“He was always amazed by life – every part of it,” said Gutierrez. “Even at 91, he was amazed by it all. He didn’t take it for granted. He had a love for nature and it’s something we’ve always shared. He always instilled in us that you can’t know everything. There’s too much to know and you have to keep your mind open.”

December 24, 2022July 10, 2025

Guam NSF EPSCoR welcomes new associate curator of GECCO Biorepository

Guam NSF EPSCoR welcomes Diego Vaz, Ph.D., as an associate curator of the Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans (GECCO) Biorepository. The GECCO Biorepository is both a physical and cyber warehouse of records operated by Guam NSF EPSCoR.

An example of a cryptobenthic goby (Eviota punctulata) from Guam.

When it comes to examining a specimen’s skeleton, Vaz uses a technique called clearing and staining. In this process, specimens are bathed in a digestive enzyme to slowly break down their flesh and muscles, rendering them transparent. Pictured here is an example of a cleared and stained specimen of a goby from a different species (Eviota zebrina).

Vaz was born and raised in Brazil, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and a master’s in zoology from the University of São Paulo. In 2015, he moved to the United States where he received a doctorate in marine sciences from the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences. Before his current position with Guam NSF EPSCoR, Vaz was a biodiversity postdoctoral fellow at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University.

“Taxonomy and the evolutionary part of science is the backbone of any field,” said Vaz. “You have to know the organism you have or you cannot move forward. You cannot do any experiments with them and you cannot protect them if you don’t know what you are dealing with.”

As an associate curator of the GECCO Biorepository, Vaz will research the morphology of coral reef fishes – particularly cryptobenthic fishes. Morphology is a branch of biology that deals with the study of the form and structure of living organisms. Cryptobenthic fishes are small fish that live near or within the seabed named for their elusive nature. They contribute significantly to the food web of coral reefs.

“Cryptobenthic fishes are crucial in the production of organic matter in the reef – not because they produce energy like algae, but because their high density and high mortality feed higher trophic levels, allowing the reef to be so diverse,” said Vaz.

Studying cryptobenthic fishes involves a variety of methods. As much as possible, the GECCO Biorepository takes photographs of its specimens as they exist in nature. To examine the organs of a specimen, manual dissections are performed.

When it comes to examining a specimen’s skeleton, Vaz uses a technique called clearing and staining. In this process, specimens are bathed in a digestive enzyme to slowly break down their flesh and muscles, rendering them transparent. After, they are treated with a series of dyes that stain the cartilage and bones differently.

Recently, the UOG Marine Laboratory acquired a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner. A CT scanner allows for the examination of skeletons without modifying a specimen.

“This is particularly important when you want to study rare organisms,” said Vaz. “When it comes to specimens that you can just collect in the field, it’s easier to do an invasive procedure. When it comes to a rare specimen in a collection, no one will allow you to do a procedure because they want to keep them as whole as possible.”

Regarding his experience working on the Guam NSF EPSCoR project, Vaz said that it’s been interesting to see multiple collaborations working together towards similar goals.

“Collaborations can be very challenging,” said Vaz. “Everyone works differently. This project is the first time I’ve seen such a large group of people collaborating effectively. It’s been a very interesting and cool experience to see that.”

October 28, 2022July 10, 2025

2022 GRA: Meet our new graduate research assistants!

This year, Guam NSF EPSCoR welcomed six new members of its Graduate Research Assistantship program. Over the next three years, these graduate students will receive mentorship, training, and fieldwork experience as they pursue their master’s degree.

Grace Jackson

Having grown up in a small beach town in Southern California, Grace Jackson has lived her life surrounded by water.

“This instilled in me the love for the ocean and later my scientific curiosity,” said Jackson. “I applied to this program to increase my scientific proficiency where I could learn about a different ecosystem and culture that I have not experienced before. I am so glad to be a part of this program.”

Under the guidance of Tom Schils, Ph.D., Jackson will study crustose coralline red algae, specifically of the genus Lithophyllum.

CCRA is a group of marine seaweeds that deposits limestone like stony corals. They serve several important ecological functions on reefs, such as building and cementing reefs together or serving as the preferred settlement substrates for coral larvae, which then further develop into adult colonies.

Lauren Kallen

Lauren Kallen applied to the Guam NSF EPSCoR GRA program due to the benefits and support that the program provides to its students. Kallen was born and raised in Illinois and earned her bachelor’s degree in marine biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Kallen’s advisor is Sarah Lemer, Ph.D., whose work focuses on the study of marine invertebrates. Over the course of the program, Kallen will conduct research on Drupella snails, carnivorous marine snails that feed on coral. Her research will focus on outbreaks of these snails on coral reefs because in high densities, these snails can quickly decimate a reef.

“I am very excited and grateful to be in this program, it is an amazing opportunity. I am very interested in outreach and giving back to the beautiful community in Guam,” said Kallen.

Garret O’Donnell

While looking for potential graduate programs, Garret O’Donnell found out about the Guam NSF EPSCoR program through his mentors from the University of Florida.

Under the guidance of David Combosch, Ph.D., O’Donnell will study Leptoria, a genus of brain coral. O’Donnell said that he is interested in Leptoria’s population genetics, spawning behavior, and abiotic stress responses to factors such as heat and low oxygen.

Since coming to Guam, O’Donnell said that he appreciates the UOG Marine Laboratory community.

“I think everyone there has been super welcoming and super cohesive as a unit and that’s been really cool to see,” said O’Donnell. “Everyone seems to know what everybody else is doing and that’s not something you always see in science. A lot of the time, labs are kind of isolated from each other. I like to see that there’s a lot of camaraderie amongst the students and the faculty.”

Andrew O’Neill

Throughout his life, Andrew O’Neill found a love for the ocean. As he pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz, he wanted to specialize in ecology and conservation. Once he learned about the Guam NSF EPSCoR GRA program, he saw it as a unique opportunity to do research and help the environment.

During the program, O’Neill will be advised by Atsushi Fujimura, Ph.D., and plans to focus on research the effects of sedimentation on Guam’s reef fish assemblages.

“In my first semester here, I did some instructing with some of the undergraduate biology sections and through that, I learned the Guam has a huge sedimentation problem,” said O’Neill. “Lots of silt gets washed away from all the rains and the rivers and flows down to the coastal waters. I want to figure out what would be the worst-case scenario if we don’t fix this problem.”

Xavier De Ramos

Knowing that he wanted to find ways to help the island, De Ramos earned a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at the University of Hawai’i, Manoa.

“Towards the halfway point of my time in college, I started thinking about Guam – my home,” said De Ramos. “I remember having a lasting impression after I went snorkeling and I was just blown away about what I saw down there. That got me thinking about what kind of issues Guam is facing or if there was anything I could do to contribute to research regarding its coral reefs.”

De Ramos will be advised by Ciemon Caballes, Ph.D., whose research focuses on ecophysiology as well as coral and echinoderm ecology.

“I feel very excited about learning more through this program and my graduate courses because I want to give back to the island,” said De Ramos. “At the end of the day, giving back to the island is all that matters to me.”