Research - Guam EPSCoR

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024

Guam NSF EPSCoR supports sustainable fisheries through fish maturity workshop

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024

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.

July 23, 2024July 24, 2024

Visiting scientists enrich Guam’s local community through research symposium

As part of the University of Guam’s first Bioblitz, an event focused on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a place over a set period, a team of international scientists engaged the island’s local community through a mini research symposium held on Friday, February 16, 2024.

These scientists, who hail from the United States, Italy, and Japan, held a series of presentations concerning organisms such as mollusks, worms, shrimps, and other invertebrates to increase local research capacity and generate interest in these under-studied fields.

One of the presenters was Florida Museum Curator of Invertebrates Gustav Paulay, Ph.D., who formerly served as the director of the UOG Marine Laboratory. “UOG sits in one of the most diverse areas and has this rich tradition of looking at organismal diversity. As a result, this institution is one of the centers of this work,” said Paulay. “We know what we know now fairly well because of a lot of effort done by a lot of people who have documented what they have described.”

As part of the University of Guam’s first Bioblitz, an event focused on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a place over a set period, a team of international scientists engaged the island’s local community through a mini research symposium held on Friday, February 16, 2024.

Due to climate change, development, pollution, and other factors that contribute to habitat loss, the world is facing a biodiversity crisis. The first step in addressing this issue involves developing an understanding of what lives in the biosphere, the parts of the world where life exists, and how they function.

These scientists, who hail from the United States, Italy, and Japan, held a series of presentations concerning organisms such as mollusks, worms, shrimps, and other invertebrates to increase local research capacity and generate interest in these under-studied fields.

One of the presenters was Florida Museum Curator of Invertebrates Gustav Paulay, Ph.D., who formerly served as the director of the UOG Marine Laboratory.

“It can be disheartening to get into the water after a couple of decades and see what has happened to the reef,” said Paulay.” Some parts are great, some parts not so much. We are going through a biodiversity crisis and one thing that scientists can do about is at least get an idea of what the biosphere is like before it changes any further.”

During his time at UOG, Paulay spent years cataloging the diversity of invertebrates around Guam. The Bioblitz, supported by Guam NSF EPSCoR, was meant to expand the existing knowledge of Guam’s marine ecosystems to inform future management efforts and apply that knowledge to other kinds of studies.

“UOG sits in one of the most diverse areas and has this rich tradition of looking at organismal diversity. As a result, this institution is one of the centers of this work,” said Paulay. “We know what we know now fairly well because of a lot of effort done by a lot of people who have documented what they have described.”

July 23, 2024July 24, 2024

UOG scientists find new marine biological records and species

Following a three-week series of biological surveys, scientists from the University of Guam Marine Laboratory along with an international team of researchers estimate that they have collected hundreds of new marine biological records and species combined from around the coasts of Guam.

From the southern coast of Guam almost up to Ritidian, the researchers surveyed around 50 sites through dives, intertidal walks, and snorkeling from February 2 - 22, 2024 and collected organisms such as crabs, shrimps, worms, and mollusks.

One of the notable findings from the Bioblitz includes a new record of a false spider crab found near the UOG Marine Laboratory. (Photos courtesy of Dr. Robert Lasley and Diana Noto)

Following a three-week series of biological surveys, scientists from the University of Guam Marine Laboratory along with an international team of researchers estimate that they have collected hundreds of new marine biological records and species combined from around the coasts of Guam.

A Bioblitz is an event focused on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a place over a set period. This Bioblitz was supported by the university’s Guam National Science Foundation EPSCoR grant, which focuses on studying the biodiversity of marine life in Micronesia and how climate change affects the region.

From the southern coast of Guam almost up to Ritidian, the researchers surveyed around 50 sites through dives, intertidal walks, and snorkeling from February 2 – 22, 2024 and collected organisms such as crabs, shrimps, worms, and mollusks.

Over a thousand species were collected. According to UOG Biorepository Curator of Crustacea, Dr. Robert Lasley, an estimated 10 to 15 percent are new species or new records for Guam. A new biological record refers to an organism that has never been recorded within a geographic area.

“The findings from this Bioblitz are a testament to the University of Guam’s status as a premier research hub serving the Micronesian region,” said UOG President Anita

Borja Enriquez. “Through collaboration, dedication, and their commitment to discovery, these researchers have helped uncover the vast biodiversity living in the waters and sands of our island.”

Notable findings from the Bioblitz include:

A new record of a false spider crab found near the UOG Marine Laboratory
71 new records of amphipods, a small shrimp-like crustacean
An estimated 46 new records of ribbon worms
Rare species of mollusks and gobies that live in symbiosis with a shrimp that inhabits underground burrows in the reef flats of Guam

Representatives of each species collected during the Bioblitz will be housed at the Guam NSF EPSCoR Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans Biorepository, a collection of marine fauna and flora that serves as an archive of the biodiversity found within the Micronesian region.

“After many long nights at the marine laboratory carefully processing specimens, these scientists have contributed immensely to our knowledge of this region’s ecosystems,” said Guam NSF EPSCoR Principal Investigator Dr. Terry Donaldson. “Through the Biorepository, we are able to share these findings with fellow researchers and work together to learn more about the world around us.”

Some specimens may be loaned to other scientists so that they can be examined further. The Biorepository team is partnering with Dr. Christopher Meyer from the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution to get all of the species DNA barcoded for identification.

Due to factors that impact marine ecosystems such as climate change, pollution, changing currents, and development, biological surveys serve as the first step towards preserving these ecosystems and the organisms that call them home.

“Right now, we’re experiencing a biodiversity crisis. We’re losing organisms and species very fast,” said Lasley. “How can you protect what you don’t know exists? It’s important to do this kind of work to capture this baseline data of what organisms are out there and where they live so we can try to build a foundation of knowledge that we can use to protect them.”

December 27, 2023December 27, 2023

UOG receives national STEM recognition

UOG 2023 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference delegation pose for a picture after being recognized as the 2023 Undergraduate Chapter of the Year

Dr. Austin Shelton speaking among fellow 2023 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference panelists

Dr. Austin Shelton, UOG President Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, Emily Wendte, Abby Crane, & Remedios Perez at the Guam Green Growth Makerspace & Innovation Hub booth

Remedios Perez & Tonya McDaniel speak to a curious bystander about their booth

Aurienne Cruz presenting to curious passerby at 2023 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference

Nathan Paz showcases to attendees of 2023 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference

The UOG SACNAS Student Chapter received the award at this year’s SACNAS National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference. The event, a cornerstone in fostering diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), took place in Portland, Oregon.

A total of 48 attendees from UOG participated in NDiSTEM, which stands as the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the United States.

UOG President Anita Borja-Enriquez, DBA, a member of the conference delegation, said, “UOG takes immense pride in our presence at the SACNAS NDiSTEM Conference. This gathering not only strengthens our commitment to fostering inclusivity but also emphasizes the vital role of diverse perspectives in shaping the future of science and innovation.”

Throughout the conference, participants actively attended workshops, showcased their research, and established connections with officials from academia and industry nationwide, creating valuable research and career opportunities.

Another significant achievement was the significant number of student presenters from the UOG delegation. Eighteen student attendees from Guam, representing nearly half of the total UOG delegation, delivered presentations at the conference.

18 students from Guam presented their research and took home these awards:

Co-principle investigator for Education and Workforce Development for Guam NSF EPSCoR, Austin Shelton, PhD, also participated in the conference. He is currently an elected member of the SACNAS National Board of Directors and serves as the faculty co-advisor, along with UOG Associate Professor Cheryl Sangueza, for the UOG SACNAS Student Chapter.

“As we immerse ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of learning and collaboration at the SACNAS NDiSTEM conference, we are not just attendees; we are catalysts for a more inclusive and equitable future in science. Our presence echoes our university’s dedication to shaping a world where opportunities in STEM are accessible to everyone,” Shelton said.

Britney Sison, president of the UOG SACNAS Student Chapter, said, “I am extremely proud and humbled that SACNAS UOG has received the award. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our current as well as previous leaders, members, and advisors who laid a strong foundation for our organization.”

Sison added, “This award means a lot to us, and I hope it inspires future students to continue the mission of SACNAS – to support underrepresented groups in their pursuit of degrees and careers in STEM and to encourage others to bring their culture and whole selves into the process.”

Meanwhile, Sabrina Zhi, vice president of the UOG SACNAS Student Chapter, said the award demonstrates collective support from many past and present UOG students to highlight their resilient attitude towards the advancement of representation for the Pacific Island community. “I hope through this award, SACNAS UOG can continue to inspire and support future generations of Guamanian STEM-ists, as it has done for me,” Zhi said.

Celebrating its 50th year, SACNAS fosters the success of underrepresented Americans – from college students to professionals – in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and leadership positions in STEM. It is the largest multicultural and multidisciplinary STEM diversity organization in the United States, serving more than 20,000 students and professionals.

The attendees participated in the conference through support provided by the Guam NSF EPSCoR and NSF INCLUDES SEAS grants and travel scholarships from SACNAS, Chapter Officer Leadership October Retreat (COLOR), and the Research Corporation of the University of Guam.

October 10, 2023December 27, 2023

NSF Guam EPSCOR students prep for SACNAS Conference

Guam NSF EPSCoR students will be presenting research and representing the University of Guam at the largest diversity in STEM conference in the world later this month.

The SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference will be held in Portland, Oregon during the last week of October.

SACNAS, the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, is the largest multicultural STEM diversity program in the United States.

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

According to Guam NSF EPSCoR Education Workforce and Development Program Associate Emily Wendte, a total of thirteen students will be representing the University of Guam at the conference.

The group is made up of four students from the graduate research assistantship, five from the summer research experience, and three from the summer math research programs.

Nearly half of the delegation has also been selected to present their research to the over 6000 expected attendees.

The students attending the conference must attend preparation workshops facilitated by the Capacity Building Team from Guam NSF EPSCoR and the NSF INCLUDES SEAS Island Alliance Guam Hub.

Cheryl Sangueza Ph.D, who oversees the student experience with Guam NSF EPSCoR says that the process starts long before the students step foot on the conference floor and is geared to give all students everything they need to represent well.

“Preparation for SACNAS is rooted in ensuring confidence, competence, and excitement to represent our grants, our labs, our university, and our island,” said Sangueza. “In our first SACNAS briefing, we did a meet and greet with the then 25 students to start that comradery and UOG Delegation mindset.”

According to Sangueza, an orientation was also held with family, friends and support-systems of the students to insure ample preparation for students on all fronts.

“We held SACNAS Orientation and family members and support systems were invited and the turnout was great! This was designed to continue generating the excitement, and to share this great experience with families. We showed what SACNAS has to offer, we introduced the delegation and announced who are presenting, and we spoke more about travel expectations,” continued Sangueza.

Along with the student presenters, the University of Guam SACNAS Chapter will also be celebrated at the conference.

“Another cool thing is that the UOG SACNAS Chapter is getting an esteemed SACNAS Chapter of the Year Award,” added Sangueza. “Dr. Austin Shelton and I are co-advisors for the student organization and our EPSCoR and INCLUDES students are both members and a few have served as officers.”

Students are traveling to the conference through support provided by the Guam NSF EPSCoR and NSF INCLUDES SEAS grants and travel scholarships from SACNAS, Chapter Officer Leadership October Retreat (COLOR), and the Research Corporation of the University of Guam.

September 19, 2023October 6, 2023

G3 Makerspace workshop: Crafting new things from discarded plastic

Abby Crain, coordinator of G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub, shows how discarded plastic bags can be made into wallets, purses, and pouches.

Participants of the plastic fusion workshop at the Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub create new products from discarded plastic bags.

With the goal of discovering innovative ways to repurpose waste, the Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub organized a plastic fusion workshop this month at CHamoru Village.

During the workshop, Abby Crain, the coordinator of G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub, demonstrated techniques to transform discarded plastic bags into wallets, purses, and pouches.

She explained plastic fusion as a process in which plastic sheets are melded together into a pattern using heat. Crain used specific types of plastic bags (#2, #4, or #5) for each project, along with patterns, parchment paper, and a flat iron as a heat source.

Proper heat application is crucial in plastic fusion, so participants were instructed to follow safety precautions, according to Crain.

At the beginning of the workshop, Phil Cruz, the sustainability coordinator at UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, helped participants understand the necessity of finding alternative uses for plastic waste.

Cruz emphasized that plastic waste not only mars the island’s landscape but also contaminates the oceans. Safeguarding the environment is paramount for an island community like Guam, as ocean-bound waste can infiltrate the food chain.

Plastics degrade into microplastics, which are ingested by fish. When these contaminated fish are consumed by other marine animals and humans, microplastics travel up the food chain, posing a threat to ecosystems and human health alike.

Moreover, culturally significant and endangered marine animals like the green and hawksbill sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for food since they resemble jellyfish.

“Not only is it (plastic waste) an eyesore but it also goes into our ocean. As an island community, we must do our utmost to protect our environment,” Cruz said.

While plastic pollution is a common concern in the community, Guam also faces challenges in proper waste management and recycling due to the global collapse of the plastic recycling industry in 2020. Consequently, shipping plastics off the island is no longer viable, according to Cruz.

“Therefore, the island community must find creative solutions,” he added.

The concept of Zero Waste becomes crucial in this context, involving the reduction of landfill waste by being mindful of consumption and waste generation, according to Cruz.

With this in mind, workshops are held at the G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub to repurpose discarded plastics, shaping them into new and useful items.

Additionally, the hub utilizes precious plastic machines to break down specific plastics and mold them into innovative products.

These initiatives reflect Guam’s commitment to addressing its plastic problem while actively involving the community in sustainable practices.

August 11, 2023October 6, 2023

UOG celebrates third G3 Conservation Corps graduation

The Guam Green Growth (G3) initiative at the University of Guam celebrated the graduation of its third conservation corps cohort on Friday, August 11, at the Sinajana Community Arts Hall.

The innovative workforce development program is designed to prepare the island for the emerging green economy. Launched in collaboration with the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and UOG Global Learning and Engagement in 2021, the G3 Conservation Corps program is a full-time training experience spanning five months each year.

Participants received instruction on a wide range of sustainability topics, covering areas such as agriculture, aquaculture, island beautification, invasive species removal, reforestation, circular economy, ocean conservation, and renewable energy.

The latest batch of G3 Conservation Corps members who successfully completed the comprehensive program include Maria Balbin, Jace Blas, Zeriah Blas, Cassie Bordallo, Michael Herbert, Michael Jude Hernandez, Connor Law, Laura Layan, Javier Mercado, Ciara Taijeron, Michael Torres, and Elisa Rose Padilla.

“We’ve learned a lot here and from all of our partners,” said Balbin, who served as corps crew supervisor.

Also at the graduation, UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez hailed the graduates as conservation corps warriors. “You are a special group of conservation leaders. You represent us as ambassadors to our youth and to members of our community through your experiences…Congratulations! We look forward to seeing you do amazing things.”

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero also commended the graduates. “The 12 of you are very significant to the conservation of our island. You have gone through an experience that we will probably never go through,” she said.

Meanwhile, Austin Shelton, UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant director, highlighted the unique experience of the third batch of conservation corps. He said the process prepared the corps for the environmental challenges that are occurring in the region and the rest of the world.

“This season was a little bit different. We had an unexpected typhoon, and we had to do things differently. You got on-the-job training for what is becoming the new reality. Climate change is here, and we are seeing an increasing frequency of storms and rising sea levels,” he said.

Shelton also mentioned the impactful multiplier effect generated by the G3 Conservation Corps program, especially in partnership development. For example, he said the program facilitated the establishment of the G3 Art Corps and the newly formed G3 Kupu Corps collaboration with Kupu, a Hawai’i’-based youth leadership development program, now providing eight additional year-long corps positions in Guam and CNMI.

He also underscored G3’s ongoing commitment to expand the movement. He said current efforts of the program attracted new federal funding, enabling the future development of G3 partnerships across Micronesia and the Pacific.

July 27, 2023August 3, 2023

Two UOG students explore turning seawater into clean energy

“I'm excited because we will be learning new science that will be beneficial to the island once we come back. I hope that me and Anna will get the necessary tools that we can get there and apply it here when we want to further our careers,” said Remetira.

Anna Mallari and Merry Remetira, two undergraduate civil engineering students from the University of Guam, are researching how to convert seawater into renewable energy as part of a collaboration between UOG and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to establish a diverse and equitable recruitment and retention program to build UOG and Guam’s future energy workforce.

The program they are a part of is called BES-RENEW, or Basic Energy Sciences –
Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce, which works to increase participation of underrepresented groups in clean energy research.

As part of the program, Mallari and Remetira will receive training along with UOG Assistant Professor of Chemistry John Limtiaco at the PNNL campus in Richland, Washington from June 2nd to August 11th, 2023. The laboratory is a leading center of technological innovation in sustainable energy.

“I’m excited because we will be learning new science that will be beneficial to the island once we come back. I hope that me and Anna will get the necessary tools that we can get there and apply it here when we want to further our careers,” said Remetira.

Mallari is a 2023 Guam NSF EPSCoR undergraduate student researcher while Remetira is from the 2021 cohort.

For those looking into applying for opportunities like BES-RENEW, Mallari said it’s important for students to try new experiences.

“It’s good to diversify your background and be a well-rounded engineer,” said Mallari. “EPSCoR has taught me that since we are in college, we’re not supposed to know everything. We’re supposed to learn. I think that’s a very good lesson to take with me for the rest of my life.”

July 22, 2023August 3, 2023

UOG grad student teaches marine ecology course in Yap

Pablo De la Vega, a graduate biology student from the University of Guam and Guam NSF EPSCoR graduate research assistant, was one of the instructors for an educational program called Marine Island Ecology at the Yap Catholic High School from June 14 to July 7, 2023.

Organized by the Micronesian Conservation Coalition (MCC), the summer program allows participating high school seniors to gain fieldwork experience and learn about the marine life in Yap. MCC is a nonprofit organization that aims to conserve island habitats and species throughout Micronesia.

The program was split into different segments that focused on several areas of Yap’s island ecology. Students would discuss theory and lab protocols and then spend the next day in the field putting what they learned in the classroom to practice.

During his time in the program, De la Vega covered classes related to microbiology.

“They were all familiar with fermentation and familiar with different kinds of bacteria. In their culture, they consume tuba, which is made through fermentation and different kinds of yeasts and bacteria interacting with each other,” said De la Vega.

De la Vega said that the experience has deepened his appreciation for the environmental knowledge of indigenous cultures.

“Learning from everyone who participated in the course made me realize that the only way to promote change and protection of the environment is by learning from the cultures that have preserved it for millennia and empowering the next generation to lead the changes we need from a global perspective if we want to continue having an inhabitable planet,” said De la Vega.

De la Vega said that he is grateful to MCC for giving him an opportunity to explore Yap and connect with its people.

“I really want to thank Ms. Julie Hartup from MCC,” said De la Vega. “The programs that MCC have put together are a good example on how you can combine science with social impact.”