Uncategorized - Guam EPSCoR

September 12, 2025October 10, 2025

UOG, G3 start Sustainable September with proclamation highlighting partnerships for the SDGs

Leaders from the government, academe, and community organizations, led by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, DBA, and UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D., come together with representatives from various programs dedicated to sustainability initiatives on Guam. Sustainable September kicked off with a proclamation signing on Friday, Sept 5 at the Governor’s Complex, that emphasizes collaborative efforts to achieve the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero signs the proclamation declaring Sustainable September. Also in the photo, UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D. and Sen. Tina Muna-Barnes. Sustainable September kicked-off with a proclamation signing on Friday, Sept 5 at the Governor’s Complex, that emphasizes collaborative efforts to achieve the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Devin Calvo Santos UOG Student Regent reads the proclamation for Sustainable September. Sustainable September kicked-off with a proclamation signing on Friday, Sept 5 at the Governor’s Complex, that emphasizes collaborative efforts to achieve the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The University of Guam, Guam Green Growth (G3), and partners launched Sustainable September with a proclamation signing, highlighting the multi-sectoral efforts that laid the foundation for the islands’ progress in achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Sustainable September’s month-long activities are organized by G3 and the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, including the proclamation signing at the Governor’s Complex in Adelup.

As a catalyst for G3, Guam NSF EPSCoR promotes Sustainable September and its long-term goal of achieving the UN SDGs by 2030.

At the signing, UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, DBA, lauded G3’s efforts in pioneering an initiative that promotes collaboration in attaining the UN SDGs, saying that sustainability is a collective responsibility.

“It is not just a concept but really it is a movement. We have seen this through the collective efforts of our partners across government, nonprofit, private sectors, and individuals, and how through the efforts of the Guam Green Growth initiative, we are building capacity in the workforce,” Borja Enriquez said.

Enriquez co-chairs the G3 initiative alongside Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, who also remarked on the momentum of the G3 movement in creating greater sustainability not only on Guam but in the region by partnering with other island jurisdictions. The Governor mentioned the recently created Green Growth initiatives in the Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as examples.

Meanwhile, UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D., emphasized that sustainability has always been part of the way island communities lived and interacted with each other, “For 4,000 years, sustainability has been ingrained in island life. That’s why we are making a significant impact in everything we do; sustainability is interdisciplinary, and everyone has a role to play.”

UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Associate Director for Communications and Community Engagement Kyle Mandapat, MBA, stated that in addition to the signing of the proclamation, Sustainable September’s month-long activities feature a lineup that highlights these multi-sectoral partnerships, including tree-planting events organized by the Guam Restoration of Watersheds (GROW) initiative at the Ugum watershed.

Other activities lined up for the month:

Sept 17 – Maila Ta Fan Chesa, hosted by the Micronesian Chefs’ Association in partnership with the American Culinary Federation and the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant. The event, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Guam, will feature locally sourced ingredients and fish from UOG Sea Grant’s aquaculture systems, with proceeds supporting local culinary students.
Sept 20 –Guam’s 31st International Coastal Cleanup, starting 6:30 AM. The Guam Coastal Management Program organized the event. G3 and the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant. will be assisting at the cleanup sites in Adelup and Andersen Air Force Base.
Sept 20– Sustainable Aquaculture Workshop, from 3–5 PM. Guåhan Sustainable Culture will host the workshop at the GSC Food Resiliency Hub in Yona (former Hamamoto Gardens).
Makerspace Workshops for September:
- Sept 25 – 3D Modeling & Printing Workshop, from 5 to 7 PM, at the G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub.
- Sept 25 – Printmaking workshop, from 5 to 7 PM, with Joey Certeza at the G3 Makerspace and Innovation.

Sustainable September activities support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by the UN in 2015. This plan highlights the urgent need to address key global sustainability challenges before the 2030 deadline for achieving the 17 UN SDGs.

Guam’s commitment to achieving the SDGs by 2030 was firmed up when it became a founding member of Local2030 Islands Network in 2019. This network provides an island-led, peer-to-peer platform to advance SDG progress, which eventually led to the launching of G3.

October 14, 2024November 6, 2024

UOG unveils latest issue of CHalan Deskubre children’s STEM magazine

Students got a chance to see the view from under the sea as the University of Guam’s Guam Green Growth Initiative unveiled the cover of the latest issue of CHalan Deskubre, a place-based science magazine for children.

The unveiling happened as over 100 students, including members of the Guam WAVE Club, received the first copies of the issue at a special event held at the Aquarium of Guam.

The theme of this issue is Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water.

Topics covered in the issue include crabs, parrotfish, sea turtles, diatoms and more and was supported by the research teams of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & SG) and NSF Guam Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).

Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio was on hand to celebrate the launch as the Office of the Governor’s Education Assistance and Youth Empowerment Grant Program was the main supporter of the magazine.

“This magazine that we have funded with the University of Guam is meant to give you, your teachers and your parents so many ideas to discover our island and we hope that you see this magazine and take some time to look at it, do the activities, and I hope you have some fun and excitement,” Tenorio told the students in the crowd.

According to UOG CIS and SG Director and Guam NSF EPSCoR Co-principal investigator Austin Shelton, Ph.D., the issue is a great way for students to get familiar with the ocean around Guam and all the life that exists in it. Making it a great tool for conservation and education. He led the students through a quick lesson highlighting the diversity of our ocean ecosystem.

“Guam has over 1000 species of reef fish, and 375 species of coral, that’s more than Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,” said Shelton. “We have so much on our island to be proud of, and you have so much to discover.”

Shelton also encouraged the students to pursue their educational dreams in the marine sciences, adding, “I want you to explore and when you fall in love with the ocean, I want you to become marine biologists too, so you can take care of our very special environment and make a difference on our island.”

UOG Interim Vice-Provost for Research and Sponsored Programs Pamela Peralta, Ed.D., highlighted the university’s dedication to outreach and extension and encouraged parents to continue to help grow their children’s curiosity about the sciences.

“Curiosity lends to discovery. There is much to learn not only in the skies and on land but also below water. We hope today marks further exploration of the myriad of species yet to be discovered and preserved,” said Peralta. “We hope you enjoy exploring the offerings curated for you here and let us do our part to empower our children and inspire them to ask questions and be involved.”

Free copies of CHalan Deskubre are now available at the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Communications Office, House 21 Dean Circle. To make arrangements for pickup, please email Jeremie Charfauros at charfaurosj3148@triton.uog.edu .

Copies will also be distributed at all Guam Public Library System branches and at the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub in CHamoru Village.

October 10, 2024October 11, 2024

Lasley ready to bring crab education to students on Guam in latest CHalan Deskubre

Crabs have always had a special place in Robert Lasley’s heart, and now he is sharing that love to help educate students on Guam.

As a part of the placed-based educational magazine CHalan Deskubre, which is supported by Guam NSF EPSCoR, Lasley has lent his “crab genius” so the children of the island may learn more about the crustaceans and what they do for our ecosystem.

According to CHalan Deskubre Editorial Coordinator Maria Louella Losinio, who also works on the EPSCoR Science Communication Team, Lasley’s gift for conveying science in an easily digestable way makes him a great fit for the magazine.

“The target audience for this magazine is school aged people from kinder through twelve grade and something we can all agree on is the intrigue they all share about animals around Guam,” said Losinio. “Dr. Lasley is able to bring information about the crabs to them in ways that they not only learn from, but are entertained by too.”

Lasley will be featured in the second issue of the magazine, which focuses on Sustainable Development Goal #14 – Life Below Water.

The issue is set to launch this month and will be available to students all around Guam.

October 10, 2024October 10, 2024

Guam EPSCoR students gearing up for SACNAS 2024

From corals to crabs, a group of Guam NSF EPSCoR students are preparing to present posters of their research at the 2024 Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference.

The multi-disciplinary and multicultural event, scheduled for October 31 to November 2 in Phoenix, Arizona, aims to foster diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

A total of 46 attendees from Guam, including 34 students, will be participating in the conference.

The students are supported by various grants and scholarships from the Guam NSF EPSCoR, NSF INCLUDES SEAS, Navigating Home, SLOAN, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), as well as travel scholarships from SACNAS, Chapter Officer Leadership October Retreat (COLOR), and the Research Corporation of the University of Guam.

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

Mya Ngemaes, a senior biology major, is one of the nine students supported by Guam NSF EPSCoR.

Her poster presentation focuses on the impact of heat stress on the respiration and photosynthetic efficiency of Guam’s dominant shallow corals, Acropora speciosa and Porites cylindrica.

Ngemaes conducted a tank experiment to simulate heat stress conditions and compare the performance of corals under both ambient and elevated temperatures.

“I’m really excited because this is the work that I have been doing for a whole year,” Ngemaes said. “Being able to talk about it to other people and sharing what we do here at UOG is something I feel super excited about.”

Daniel Urbano, majoring in applied biology, will present his research on true crabs and macroalgae on Guam.

“We have been surveying macroalgae (sargassum) in the Pago Bay reef flat outside Marine Lab. There are very few surveys done of this type, and more so, all have been done in temperate waters. Guam’s waters are tropical, and they are full of life. So, we are recording this biodiversity,” Urbano said.

Urbano looks forward to his first SACNAS presentation. “I haven’t presented anything in a conference this size. The biggest one that I had was the CIS (UOG Sustainability Conference) early this year. This is a huge step up basically.”

Nicole Pineda, a senior majoring in biology, is excited to attend the conference and meet new people from different STEM disciplines and backgrounds. She believes that the conference will provide opportunities for networking and learning. “It is nice to see and be part of a conference that is so diverse and has a lot of different cultural aspects to it,” she said.

Anela Duenas, a Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant, participated in the SACNAS conference twice. This year, she is coming back as a lead for the NSF Guam EPSCoR students attending SACNAS.

“It feels nice to help other students go through things that I went through,” she said. “Cause I have now some knowledge – like how I can help them prepare. How can I help them be better during the conference.”

At the Near Peer orientation welcoming the student SACNAS delegation and their parents, UOG Senior Vice President and Provost Sharleen Santos Bamba emphasized the importance of the students’ participation in the conference. “SACNAS is an amazing opportunity,” she said. “You will be representatives of this institution. But larger than that, you will be representatives of the island.”

SACNAS was founded 51 years ago to foster the success of underrepresented Americans – from college students to professionals – in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and leadership positions in STEM.

September 20, 2024October 11, 2024

UOG and DFS celebrate conservation and native flowers with sustainable art exhibit

Sustainability is growing with the launch of the University of Guam and DFS “Guam in Bloom” sustainable art exhibit.

A crowd gathered at the T Galleria by DFS in Tumon, to celebrate the unveiling of the exhibit created by the team from the Guam NSF EPSCoR funded Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub.

The exhibit, a celebration of Guam’s rich cultural heritage and commitment to environmental stewardship, featured a diverse array of artwork honoring the native and endemic plants of the island.

According to DFS Vice-President of Operations Billy Chung, sustainability is an important movement for the island that DFS takes seriously in their support.

“We are extremely excited to be able to host the ‘Guam in Bloom’ exhibit here in our Galleria. For us here at DFS T Galleria, sustainability is something that we hold closely in our hearts,” said Chung. “This is something that influences our decisions in a day-to-day manner in order to protect sustainability, our environment and also the local culture here on Guam.”

UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez Ph.D., credited the UOG CIS/SG team for their dedication to conservation and preservation. She also underscored the university’s commitment to continuing the development of conservation workers for our island.

“I am so excited that we are able to continue to bring the talent that comes from the newer generation of conservation leaders and conservation warriors,” Enriquez expressed. “Keep up this voyage so that the future generations are assured and can participate in ensuring that we continue to foster this sustainable culture and sustainable future for our island and our region!”

Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio, who also co-chairs the G3 Steering Committee, was appreciative of the partnership between DFS and the university along with the support for the local arts community.

“The theme ‘Guam in Bloom’ also in many ways recognizes all the talent we have that’s blooming. And a lot of that talent is blooming at the University of Guam,” said Tenorio. “I want to thank the team at DFS—an enduring member of Guam’s business and social community for recognizing that there is a value in showcasing all the best of Guam, but in particular to give a landscape for Guam’s talent to be exposed and showcased.”

Austin Shelton Ph.D., co-principal investigator for Education and Workforce Development highlighted the exhibit’s outreach component and the importance of the message of the art.

“Sustainability is not about sacrifice anymore. It’s about opportunity. We can have a green economy, we can build our economy, diversify beyond military spending, and tourism. We can see the beautiful things that our local artists are bringing out to the community,” said Shelton.

The exhibit is a part of the Sustainable September activities that included a tree planting event, a beach cleanup and workshops and is the second partnership with DFS.

With support from the Guam Green Growth team, the local artists behind the creations were Abby Crain, April Colitoy-Gaerlan, and Francheska de Oro.

“Guam in Bloom” is on exhibit at the T Galleria by DFS on Chalan San Vitores in Tumon during regular store hours and is open to the public until the end of October.

####

September 10, 2024October 10, 2024

Coral research could have big implications for Guam’s future

Research by Reilly Kleven at the University of Guam (UOG) has revealed the remarkable growth potential of branching Lithophyllum coralline algae, a vital component of Guam’s coral reefs.

Kleven is a Graduate Research Assistant with the Guam National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) at UOG.

Kleven’s research, conducted under the guidance of Tom Schils, Ph.D. of the UOG Marine Labratory, focused on quantifying the growth rates of these algae in various reef habitats around the island. By utilizing advanced 3D scanning techniques, Kleven was able to measure the growth of individual algae samples over an extended period.

“Nongeniculate coralline algae are one of the most abundant calcifiers on Guam’s reef. They provide a variety of ecosystem services for reef environments. They help build and stabilize reef framework by depositing calcium carbonate in the form of magnesium calcite skeletons,” explained Kleven. “They act as important binders, decreasing the likelihood of structural collapse by reinforcing caves and cavities. Their skeletons further contribute to the resilience and recovery potential of reefs, providing protection from disturbances such as bio erosion and tsunamis.”

One of the most significant findings of the study was the exceptional growth rates observed in Lithophyllum algae from Pago Bay, Guam. These algae demonstrated remarkable resilience, growing at a rate that far exceeded previous estimates for coralline algae in tropical regions.

Kleven’s research also highlighted the importance of environmental conditions on algal growth. While Pago Bay offered optimal conditions for Lithophyllum growth, factors such as nutrient levels, sediment output, and water temperature were found to significantly influence growth rates in other areas, such as Togcha Bay.

These findings have significant implications for understanding the resilience of Guam’s coral reefs and their ability to recover from disturbances. As climate change continues to threaten coral ecosystems, the growth potential of lLithophyllum algae offers hope for future reef conservation efforts.

“As coral bleaching events become more frequent and severe the significance of coralline algae increases. These algae are likely to play a crucial role in preserving tropical reef carbonate structures as environmental change continues,” added Kleven.

Kleven’s research marks a significant contribution to the field of marine biology and provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of coral reef ecosystems at a time when many see the importance of the protection of our reefs.

July 23, 2024July 24, 2024

UOG alumna studies red algae in Saudi Arabia

MacKenzie Heagy, a 2023 Master of Science in Biology alumna and former Guam NSF EPSCoR Graduate Research Assistant, gained valuable research experience as part of a six-month internship held at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.

Each year, the Visiting Student Research Program at KAUST offers 130 students from more than a hundred countries the opportunity to develop their research skills, receive mentorship, and collaborate with subject-matter experts in world-class facilities.

Heagy heard about the program through colleagues who have met people from KAUST at different conferences and events.

During the program, Heagy studied red algae in the Red Sea in the Global Change Ecology Laboratory to understand the effects of global warming on key marine calcifying organisms.

“EPSCoR has helped me get connected to the community here in KAUST,” said Heagy. “It has given me a starting point for further research. I have developed a sense of initiative during my time on Guam and have grown exponentially as a scientist, student, and person. I am really proud of the person Guam and the UOG Marine Lab have pushed me to be.”

March 11, 2024March 11, 2024

UOG’s 4th conservation corps boasts diverse lineup

Members of the 4th cohort of the Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps hold signs representing the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. They are joined by UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D., Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, Senior Vice President and Provost Sharleen Santos Bamba, and UOG Global Learning and Engagement Director Carlos Taitano, MBA.

Members of the 4th cohort of the Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps pledge their commitment to protect the environment and promote sustainability at an event launching the new members on Tuesday, February 27th, at the UOG Global Learning and Engagement Building.

Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps member Hannah Perez, with a background in human resources, shares her motivation for joining the program at an event launching the new members on Tuesday, February 27th, at the UOG Global Learning and Engagement Building.

Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps member Tristan Quintanilla, a policy analyst for four years, shares his motivation for joining the program at an event launching the new members on Tuesday, February 27th, at the UOG Global Learning and Engagement Building.

What do an accountant, former on-air personality, architect, and a human resources professional have in common?

They are passionate about the future of our island and entered the newest cohort of the Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps, a workforce development program by the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, and the G3 initiative.

Now on its 4^th cycle, the program introduced its 12 new members on Tuesday, February 27, at the UOG Global Learning and Engagement Building.

Addressing the new G3 Conservation Corps, UOG Senior Vice President and Provost Sharleen Santos Bamba, Ph.D. said, “You represent the next generation of environmental leaders. Your enthusiasm commitment, and thirst for knowledge inspire us all. The next five months will be a journey of discovery, hard work, and profound personal growth.”

Most members of the 4th cohort come from industries outside the environmental and conservation sectors. Some of them have already established careers in their respective fields but are interested in exploring opportunities within the emerging green economy. 

The members of the new G3 Conservation Corps are:

Nate Aguon (Barrigada)
Thomas Benavente (CNMI, Tamuning)
Makeo Blas (Mangilao)
Telel Blesam (Palau)
Jaevynn Cruz (Talo’fo’fo)
Rico Lizama (Yona)
Beato Manglona (Tamuning)
Jem Miller (Dededo)
Hannah Perez (Barrigada)
Tristan Quintanilla (Hågat)
Emma Sánchez (Dededo)
Loren Villanueva (Yigo)

At the event, the G3 Conservation Corps members shared their motivation for joining the program.

Quintanilla, a policy analyst for four years, stated, “I believe that this is a way to merge the past and the future. As a researcher, I would often look at problems, and search for solutions. However, I noticed a significant difference between learning about things and being able to practice them. So, I am looking forward to that.”

Perez, with a background in human resources, expressed, “Ever since I was younger, I’ve been passionate about addressing climate change because I know it directly impacts our island. Rising sea levels, and trash in the ocean, you see that every day.”

UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D., told the new G3 Conservation Corps that diverse opportunities are available to graduates of the program. 

“Whether your interest lies in aquaculture, agriculture, or even nighttime efforts to catch brown tree snakes, there are immediate job openings in these areas. Many opportunities are available right here at the Research Corporation of the University of Guam, as well as through our various local and federal agency partners,” he said.

Shelton added that most of the members of the previous cohorts had achieved success in pursuing their aspirations after the program. “Over 70 percent of our graduates have transitioned into green jobs or have chosen further training, all closely aligned with the green economy.”

Throughout the five-month program, the G3 Conservation Corps will undergo training and gain exposure in various sustainability-related areas, including agriculture and aquaculture, island beautification, invasive species removal, reforestation, circular economy practices, recycling, and renewable energy. 

They will also have the opportunity to engage with diverse environmental organizations and initiatives on Guam and the rest of the Micronesia region.  

After completing the program, the G3 Conservation Corps will earn up to 80 continuing education units (CEUs) from UOG Global Learning and Engagement.

The first G3 Conservation Corps program  was launched in 2021.

WHAT IS G3?  

The UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant facilitates the  Guam Green Growth, or G3 initiative, in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of Guam and the G3 Working Group, whose members represent all sectors of society. With the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and G3 Action Framework as a guide, G3 develops tangible solutions to sustainability challenges and contributes to a green economy for the island region.

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.”

March 6, 2024December 15, 2025

UOG launches its first international marine biological survey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The visiting scientists include:

· Dr. Gustav Paulay, Florida Museum

· Dr. Justin Scioli, Smithsonian Marine Station in Florida

· Dr. Kristine White, Georgia College & State University

· Dr. Barbara Mikac, University of Bologna

· Dr. Svetlana Maslakova, University of Oregon

· Dr. Ryutaro Goto, Kyoto Museum

· Shawn Wiedrick, Los Angeles County Museum

· John Slapcinsky, Florida Museum

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

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

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

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