At the Center of Research in the Western Pacific
Bachelors of Science in Fisheries and Marine Resources, Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment, 2014
Thesis: “Sexuality and Reproductive Cycle of the Arc-eye Hawkfish, Paracirrhites arcatus (Cirrhitidae)”
Mildred’s work will compare patterns of sexuality, gonad structure and maturity, and reproduction. This work will compliment previous studies on other members of the family, geographic variation, reproductive behavior and phylogeny.
Frank is working to adapt modern aquaculture techniques to rear and spawn the scribbled rabbitfish in order to explore its feasibility as an aquaculture product for purposes of stock enhancement. The scribbled rabbit fish is culturally and ecologically important to the island and stock enhancement would aid in perpetuating indigenous fishing practice of harvesting manahak (juvenile S. spinus). Data from this project could help establish hatcheries and initiate restocking programs.
University of Guam Marine Laboratory (UOGML) faculty and Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium (GEC) Researchers, Dr. Sarah Lemer and Dr. David Combosch recently presented at the University of Hong Kong’s Swire Institute of Marine Science about their ongoing efforts to characterize the bleaching resilience of Guam’s reef corals.
Held on October 16, 2017 and organized by Dr. Dave Baker at the University of Hong Kong’s School of Biological Sciences, the special guest seminar focused on Drs. Combosch and Lemer’s participation in the GEC and their scientific approaches to exploring the complex question of coral resiliency to environmental stress. Drs. Combosch and Lemer discussed their approach of implementing a combination of research strategies that includes fieldwork, molecular species differentiation, phylogenomics, population genomics, and experimental gene expression assays.
“We’re using cutting-edge genomic tools and we’re asking questions that have not been asked here before,” said Dr. Lemer. “With our newly implemented genomic facility, we are now able to do everything on island, from sample collection, data generation and analyses. Also, we enable students and our colleagues at the UOG Marine Laboratory to use those tools and approaches for their own work.”
“The questions that we’re asking are highly relevant and urgently required for local conservation and management,” said Dr. Combosch. “For example, we study the dispersal scales of marine organisms, which has important implications for the resilience of local populations and ecosystems and their ability to recover after disturbances, which is fundamental for an informed design of marine protected areas.”
The GEC was formed in 2015 in the aftermath of the island experiencing its largest coral bleaching event in 2013. At the time researchers had noted a difference in bleaching susceptibility among the affected coral species and populations. Today GEC Researchers seek to understand what accounts for the differences observed by studying the genetics of coral species around Guam. This insight will inform local, regional, and global conservation efforts and coral research and is made possible through the University of Guam’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program, a $6 million grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
For: Guam EPSCoR’s Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium Seed Funding
Submission Deadline: November 5, 2017
Guam EPSCoR’s Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium is seeking proposals from junior and newly recruited research faculty for seed funding opportunities for 2017-2018. Guam EPSCoR seed funding will include experimental project costs for collaborative projects in the areas of oceanography, coral genetics, bioinformatics, genomics, and Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigBio), and can include support for travel for training or support that is directly linked to the implementation of research and/or advancing the competitive nature of proposed EPSCoR goals. Funding for travel to scientific meetings is acceptable if the researcher is presenting EPSCoR related research. Competitive seed funding proposals should outline how the proposed work clearly advances the research areas listed above as it is related to Guam EPSCoR strategic goals.
Multiple seed funding awards of up to $10,000 will be awarded to researchers that have submitted a proposal in areas related to Guam EPSCoR research goals. Successful proposals will be selected based on the research quality and on the demonstrated potential to achieve significant results that lead to peer reviewed publications and future grant proposals. Funded proposals are expected to be completed by July 1, 2017, unless otherwise noted or advised.
Applicants should submit a one page proposal, timeline for planning and research, and budget breakdown no later than November 5, 2017.
Proposals should be submitted to guamepscor@gmail.com.
For more information you may visit www.guamepscor.uog.edu or contact:
Dr. Terry Donaldson, Guam EPSCoR PI/PD
tdonaldson@triton.uog.edu
Mellani Lubuag, Guam EPSCoR Program Manager
lubuagm@triton.uog.edu
Alisha’s study will consider differential rates of egg predation from and courtship interruption by planktivirous damselfishes. Damselfish densities are greater at the spawning aggregation site compared to the haremic mating sites because of fish feeding by snorkelers and divers, so egg predation rates and reproductive success are expected to differ. Possible compensation at spawning aggregation sites because of increased mating opportunities may offset egg loss and courtship interruption effects.
DR. KIANA FRANK
11AM, Thursday, July 13, 2017
University of Guam, Science Building, Rm. 101
Title: Microbial dynamics of Hawaiian Fishponds
Abstract: Native Hawaiians harnessed the natural activity of coastal ecosystems by engineering fishponds that promoted primary productivity to cultivate herbivorous fish. Because the success of fishponds rests on the productivity of algae and photosynthetic microbes, understanding how microbial abundance, diversity, and composition change across time and space – especially in response to climatic anomalies and restoration efforts – is critical to inform current management practices. Here we use comparative phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene data to characterize microbial diversity in the context of the geochemical environment to provide significant insight into 1) the environmental drivers of naturally occurring microbial variability, as well as 2) the science encoded in traditional Hawaiian stories. This research provides a data-rich context to support and innovate Native Hawaiian methodologies for restoring fishponds.
Dr. Kiana Frank, native of Kailua, Oahu, is an Assistant Professor in Pacific Biosciences Research Center at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa whose research is focused on understanding how microbes interact with the environment and influence the functionality, health and sustainability of Hawaii’s land and ocean resources.
For more information contact (671) 735-0301 or email guamepscor@gmail.com
This activity is hosted by Guam EPSCoR and University of Guam Sea Grant
Guam’s strategic location in the Pacific uniquely positions the island to become a regional leader for research and education networking. A major goal for Guam EPSCoR is to support the development of a cyberinfrastructure that will promote collaborative academic efforts and research opportunities for higher education, emerging technologies, cultural growth and economic development.
Toward this goal, Guam EPSCoR is proud to share several key milestones that were recently achieved:
The University of Guam named Rommel Hidalgo its new Chief Information Officer in January 2016. This is a new position at the University, and one that oversees all campus IT activities. The Chief Information Officer will provide the leadership and vision to implement improvements to the campus’ cyberinfrastructure and helps to lay the foundation for increased research collaboration.
The University of Guam hosted a Network Startup Resource Center (NSRC) Campus Network Design workshop in July 2016. This workshop had multi-institutional participation from around the Micronesian region, including, Palau Community College, Palau Ministry of Education, Northern Marianas College, Marshall Islands, College of Micronesia, Guam Department of Education, and Guam Community College. It also featured direct engineering engagement that resulted in significant changes to the network on Guam.
The University of Guam campus bandwidth was upgraded from 150Mb to 750Mb in July 2016, with connectivity extended to both the University of Guam Marine Laboratory (UOGML) and Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific (WERI) in August 2016.
UOG Junior Network Engineers, Randy Dahilig and Jose Santiago were awarded the NSRC/I2 Technology Exchange Fellowship. The annual Internet2 Technology Exchange, which convenes in September 2016, is the premier technical event in the global Research & Education community and the fellowship marks the University of Guam’s first participation in it.
High-tech genome mapping of coral species from Guam’s marine environment put scientists from the University of Guam’s Marine Laboratory at the forefront of coral reef research. Using the NextSeq 500, a newly installed genetic sequencer, UOG scientists are investigating how fragile coral reefs and marine ecosystems adapt to extreme environmental changes, including impacts associated with climate change such as warmer ocean waters, excessive sedimentation, and ocean acidification.
By studying coral genomes, scientists can better understand why some coral reefs thrive and survive and others die. “Coral reef survival is linked to Guam’s economic survival,” said Dr. John Peterson, UOG Assistant Vice President. “Everything from recreational tourism to fishing is based on the health of our coral reefs. It is in our best interests to better understand the genetic factors that enable coral colonies to thrive.”
The new genetic sequencer at the core of this research was made possible through the University of Guam’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program, a $6 million grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). According to Dr. Jason Biggs, Associate Professor of Molecular Ecology and EPSCoR Co-Principal Investigator, the new instruments will allow UOG Marine Laboratory and EPSCoR researchers to sequence genetic information and systematically study Guam’s coral colonies. Other scientists in Hawaii and Australia have already begun such research, but Guam, with its historically warmer climate, poses a new and exciting opportunity for local researchers.
“Having this technology in such close proximity to Guam’s coral reefs will enable our faculty to be at the forefront of molecular reef ecology, tackling questions we are just beginning to ask,” said Dr. Biggs. “These new sequencers are at the core of this research and only a handful of them are stationed in places as unique as Guam and Micronesia. These instruments will allow us, the people of Guam, to study these things for ourselves, and train our students as the next frontier scientists.”
That is part of the goal, explains Dr. Terry Donaldson, Marine Laboratory Director and EPSCoR Principal Investigator. The instruments underscore the University’s increased research capacity and ability to provide scientific services within the region while attracting more researchers, students, and external funding opportunities in the future.
“Through EPSCoR, the University of Guam has joined an elite group of institutions that are building research capacity, improving infrastructure and cyber-infrastructure, and providing greater educational opportunities for students while enhancing research opportunities for young scientists, ” said Dr. Donaldson.
“We have reached a significant institutional and research milestone with the successful acquisition and installation of genetic sequencing instruments,” said President Robert A. Underwood. “Our increased research capacity combined with record enrollment and conferral of a record number of degrees showcase the strides the University has undertaken in the last year; all of which have a major positive impact on our community.”
By testing if genetics plays a part in corals’ survival in extreme environments, Marine Lab scientists hope to slow down the decline of coral reefs
It was in 2013 that Guam experienced one of the worst coral bleaching events in the island’s recorded history—not only widespread throughout the reefs but also down to depths that affected multiple species, not just a few.
Scientists at the University of Guam Marine Laboratory, who had predicted the extent of the event and began extensive monitoring post-bleaching, took notice of a strange occurrence amongst the corals.
“There were individuals of the same species sitting next to each other that were and were not bleached,” said Dr. Jason Biggs, assistant professor of Marine Biology. “So we said there had to be a genetic part to this. It’s got to be in the genes, and if that’s true, then maybe we can slow down the decline of coral reefs.”
This idea became the basis upon which the grant for the EPSCoR funding was written.
In August, UOG announced a $6 million grant from the National Science Foundation through its Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program for coastal ecosystems research. The funding is for five years and represents one of the single largest grants awarded in UOG history.
With the funding, a group of faculty and students plan to test two hypotheses—that the genetic structures of coral are all the same, and they survive by chance and that environmental stressors don’t exert selection pressure.
These hypotheses are linked to four main goals set to track the progress of the research.
These goals include mapping the genetic landscape of two coral species— Acropora surculosa, a more susceptible coral, and Porites rus, a less susceptible coral—to possibly identify special genotypes or subspecies that can help predict climate variability.
Scientists also set out to create a physical and cyber biorepository that stores information on specimens collected during research, to characterize the surrounding environment, and to establish a Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium.
“If we do all of this and find that certain corals have certain genes turned on, we will have some hints toward a genetic aspect, which could be an adaptation to these extreme environments” Biggs said. “Then we can start working from there to propagate these and spread them around in the reefs or start looking into the physiological and genetic mechanisms that are working and how that gene makes the coral survive in that environment.”
To test these hypotheses, Marine Lab scientists plan to use cutting edge equipment and infrastructure—like a cryogenic storage facility and an upgrade to fiber optics for improved cyber connectivity—funded through the EPSCoR grant on six specific locations around the island.
Specimens and data will be collected in Pago Bay, Fouha Bay, Apra Harbor, Achang Bay, around Pati Point, and Tumon Bay. The diversity in the six locations will help scientists collect data that truly reflects the marine landscape of the entire island.
Dr. Laura Biggs, a principal investigator on the EPSCoR project, said there are two avenues through which students can participate in the research and data collection for the EPSCoR project.
Graduate students can apply for a graduate research assistantship, where they will develop a thesis that aligns with the EPSCoR goals and efforts and conduct research alongside the scientists of the Marine Lab. Each graduate student could received a tuition waiver for up to 21 credits per semester and earn up to $18,000 a year for the work they do. Once they finish, there is a 1:1 work ratio, so the students trained on Guam can give back to the island community, she said.
For undergraduate students, they can apply for summer research experiences that pays up to $12,000 for helping to research and collect data.
Jason Biggs said it’s UOG’s responsibility to do the research that affects not just our island but region and, in turn, inform the public on how to solve future problems.
“Us being the only four-year accredited university in the Western Pacific, we have a duty to arm our people with the knowledge and capability to solve these problems ourselves,” he said. “For the Marianas, we are an ocean people. Without the coral reefs, how can you be a culture of the ocean when there’s nothing in the ocean to sustain you? Ultimately, we will be defined by what we have.”