Top Stories - Guam EPSCoR

November 17, 2025November 17, 2025

UOG students earn national recognition at 2025 SACNAS NDiSTEM Conference

The University of Guam delegation stands tall at the SACNAS NDiSTEM conference in Columbus, Ohio. The group consisted of grant funded staff and students in STEM, many of whom that presented their research, at the largest diversity in STEM conference in the country.

Guam NSF EPSCoR and UOG Marine Lab student Napu Camacho presents his research at the SACNAS NDiSTEM conference in Columbus, Ohio. Camacho was one of the twelve UOG students who submitted abstracts and were selected to present at the national conference. His research looked to explore Guam’s marine fish diversity through environmental DNA analysis.

Amongst the hundreds of presenters at SACNAS NDiSTEM, three UOG students Azer Bilimon, Archancel Abellera and Cameron San Agustin were recognized for their presentations overall. All three students are participants in the NSF INCLUDES SEAS Programs at the University of Guam in partnership with the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant.

The University of Guam strengthened its presence in STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics) at the 2025 Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference, where three UOG students earned national recognition for their research presentations.

UOG School of Engineering student Azer Bilimon received the Native American/Indigenous Student Research Abstract Award, while Archancel Abellera and Cameron San Agustin received Outstanding Research Presentation awards.

Continuing its strong participation in SACNAS, UOG sent a 28-member delegation—17 of them students—to this year’s conference including Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio, who serves as a co-principal investigator for NSF Navigating Home and was the keynote speaker. The nation’s largest multicultural and multidisciplinary STEM event took place in Columbus, Ohio, gathering researchers and students from across the United States and its territories.

Cheryl Sangueza, Ph.D., a co-principal investigator of the NSF INCLUDES SEAS and NSF Navigating Home grants, and the head of student experience for Guam NSF EPSCoR, has led several months of preparation for students representing UOG at the conference.

“All EPSCoR and SEAS INCLUDES students who submitted an abstract were accepted to present and everyone smashed it,” exclaimed Sangueza. “SACNAS, where students present their research, network, meet phenomenal and inspiring scientists, and explore next step opportunities, is a key experience in the pathway to graduate school and for career decisions.”

Sangueza along with her capacity building team, who work across the NSF grants, UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) and Guam Green Growth coordinate with students from the high school to graduate levels across various programs designed to increase success in STEM fields.

“As a past SACNAS Chapter of the Year, the University of Guam continues to advance island-based research and scientific voices from across Micronesia,” said Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of the UOG CIS & Sea Grant. “We are proud that three of our students earned recognition at this year’s SACNAS NDiSTEM Conference. Their work reflects UOG’s growing community of locally trained scientists who address climate and biodiversity challenges through island knowledge and innovation.”

Award Winning Presentations

Bilimon presented “Evaluating the Mechanical and Sustainable Benefits of Fibrous Reinforcement in Seawater and Freshwater Mortar Mixtures.” Under the mentorship of Ernesto J. Guades, Ph.D., Bilimon studied how adding coconut fibers affects the strength and sustainability of mortar. The project was inspired by the resource challenges that island communities such as Guam and the Marshall Islands face.

Bilimon tested different fiber types, lengths, and amounts using a standard cement-sand-water mix to measure compressive strength. His research demonstrates how reusing waste materials—such as glass and discarded coconut shells—can reduce waste and support sustainable construction. By using seawater instead of freshwater, the study also addresses water scarcity and promotes eco-friendly building materials that reflect Indigenous knowledge and environmental sustainability in Pacific Island communities.

Abellera presented “Preserving Endangered Orchids in the Marianas: Propagation Techniques for Species Recovery.” Her research focuses on conserving Dendrobium guamense, an endangered orchid found only in the Marianas. To support recovery efforts, Abellera tested two propagation methods—division and stem cuttings—to identify the most effective approach for replanting and conservation.

San Agustin presented “Exploring Propagation Techniques for Conservation of Myrtella bennigseniana, a Native Savanna Shrub.” His study examined how to improve the propagation of Myrtella bennigseniana, a native shrub that helps restore Guam’s savanna ecosystems threatened by land development and habitat loss.

Else Demeulenaere, Ph.D., associate director for natural resources at the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, mentored both Abellera and San Agustin.

“The research presented by our students at the SACNAS NDiSTEM Conference speaks to their talent, hard work, and the strength of their academic preparation,” said UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, DBA. “Their success reinforces our mission to empower students to advance science that serves island communities and inspires regional progress.”

For more than five decades, SACNAS has promoted diversity and inclusion in STEM by supporting students and professionals in pursuing advanced degrees, building careers, and contributing to their communities through science.

January 15, 2025January 28, 2025

UOG workshop reveals findings on tackling crown-of-thorns outbreaks

Dr. Ciemon Caballes, a senior research associate at the University of Guam's NSF EPSCoR and assistant professor at the UOG Marine Lab, presented findings from a study during the "Guam Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Outbreak Response Strategy" workshop in December at the UOG Marine Lab.

Insights into reproductive trends, predation patterns, and climatic triggers observed before a crown-of-thorns (COTS) outbreak are crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies to protect coral reefs, according to Ciemon Caballes, Ph.D., a senior research associate at the University of Guam’s NSF EPSCoR and assistant professor at the UOG Marine Lab.

Caballes shared his insights during the “Guam Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Outbreak Response Strategy” workshop in December at the UOG Marine Lab.

COTS are marine invertebrates known for their predation on corals. They can cause devastating impacts on coral reefs by depleting coral populations. They are found in reefs across the Indo-Pacific region.

Caballes’ research, supported by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in collaboration with UOG’s NSF EPSCoR and Sea Grant, and other local and federal resource management agencies, focuses on understanding and mitigating these outbreaks.

“When we try to catch a serial predator, like the crown-of-thorns starfish, we need to build a profile,” Caballes said noting that understanding COTS and the trends leading to an outbreak is crucial for an effective mitigation strategy.

Caballes outlined several hypotheses regarding the formation of COTS outbreaks. The first suggests that outbreaks are a natural biological predisposition, given the species’ high fertilization rates.

According to Caballes, even a single mating pair can initiate a population surge. He said a female starfish could potentially produce over 100 million eggs in one spawning season while a male can produce around 50 billion sperm.

Surprisingly, he pointed out that, despite a male-skewed sex ratio, crown-of-thorns starfish maintain high fertilization rates, achieving up to 30% success even when separated by significant distances.

The second hypothesis links outbreaks to the overfishing of natural predators, leading to the release of COTS from predatory pressure and triggering a trophic cascade.

He also discussed the nutrient hypothesis, which posits that elevated nutrient levels from river runoff result in increased phytoplankton densities. Since phytoplankton provide a source of food for COTS larvae, the spike improves their survival and development rates. However, he also said recent findings indicate that excessive phytoplankton might lead to overfeeding, affecting larvae survival negatively.

Caballes also recalled several significant outbreaks, particularly one in 2009, and noted the possible influence of temperature and strong El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events on COTS populations. He illustrated the correlation between high precipitation and river discharge events, such as those in 2003 and 2004, and subsequent COTS outbreaks in 2006 and 2007.

Caballes noted, “With back-to-back coral bleaching events compounded by COTS outbreaks, corals are struggling to recover.” He emphasized the need for effective management strategies to address these dual threats.

“This workshop is the culmination of our work since 2022. The project began in March of that year to assess the crown-of-thorns starfish populations around Guam and explore the feasibility of coral rehabilitation in these reef areas.” Caballes stated.

Caballes described their research efforts, which included testing various plots to determine if culling crown-of-thorns starfish would enhance the survival of transplanted corals.

Input from workshop participants have been integrated into the Guam COTS Outbreak Strategic Management Plan, which will be available to the public and distributed to all local and federal partners.

Fran Castro, associate director for operations and development at the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, participates in the "Guam Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Outbreak Response Strategy" workshop in December at the UOG Marine Lab.

The Crown of Thorns Starfish has been reproducing at high levels causing trouble for coral reefs surrounding Guam. The workshop held at the UOG Marine Lab aimed to provide updates on the growing population and their affects on the marine ecosystem of the island. Photo courtesy of GuamReefLife.com and David Burdick.

Fran Castro, associate director for operations and development at the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, highlighted the significance of the project in addressing COTS. She described multi-agency efforts that involved training local agencies and coordinating monitoring efforts.

July 23, 2024October 9, 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.”