Uncategorized - Guam EPSCoR

November 1, 2024November 8, 2024

UOG EPSCoR graduate students spotlight coral research at national conference

During the 28th National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NSF EPSCoR) conference, graduate students from the University of Guam presented research that may contribute to coral reef restoration and recovery efforts on the island.

The graduate research assistants or GRAs, all supported by Guam NSF EPSCoR, participated in the research poster presentations at the October 13 to 16 event in Omaha, Nebraska.

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan served as keynote speaker, delivering the talk ‘Innovation Anywhere, Opportunities Everywhere: Accelerating Science and Technology Through Talent, Ideas, and Innovation.”

“The representation of our island at the NSF EPSCoR National
Conference is important because it highlights the growing capacity of our university to conduct research in marine and coastal sciences, as well as to train and mentor a new generation of scientists who possess a deep understanding of our land and ocean resources,” said UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, DBA.

“Participating in this conference every year positions us as a
thriving research hub for Guam and the entire region,” she added.

For Guam NSF EPSCoR Principal Investigator and Project Director Terry Donaldson, PhD, the Guam NSF EPSCoR team showcased innovative research in one of the nation’s most diverse and intricate marine and coral ecosystems. He said the conference also highlighted the increasing participation and representation of UOG students in STEM.

“This achievement was made possible through the support of the National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR Program, which has been instrumental in fostering research and collaboration in Guam and the region. The conference also provides, through networking opportunities, pathways for student advancement in post-graduate training and entry into the workforce,” Donaldson said.

The following Guam NSF EPSCoR GRAs presented at the conference:

Xavier De Ramos
Anela Duenas
Nikko Galanto
Lauren Kallen
Reilly Kleven
Diana Noto
Andrew O’Neil

Kallen’s poster, titled “The genetic characterization of Drupella fragum outbreaks on Guam,” focused on Drupella fragum, a sea snail that feeds on reef-building staghorn corals.

In the abstract, Kallen highlighted the importance of understanding the dynamics of Drupella fragum population outbreaks, as these outbreaks have the potential to decimate coral colonies rapidly.

While the causes of these outbreaks “remain poorly understood,” the research theorizes that they may be linked to temperature stress and overall reef health, among other factors.

Galanto’s research on “Investigating thermal resilience of Symbiodiniaceae among staghorn Acropora spp.” aims to investigate the thermal resilience of Symbiodiniaceae, a type of alga that has a symbiotic relationship with staghorn corals.

“Some corals are more tolerant to rising sea surface temperatures than others, and some of these disparities may be attributed to thermally tolerant Symbiodiniaceae,” Galanto’s research states.

Like Galanto, Anela Duenas’ poster presentation, “Ecophysiology of coral species replacement in reef flats of Guam,” examines the effects of thermal stress on coral species with Symbiodiniaceae.

“Over the last decade, reefs in Guam have been impacted by coral bleaching events, causing a significant decline in live coral cover,” Duenas says in the abstract. “This research project will contribute to management and restoration efforts by providing crucial information on the role of Symbiodiniaceae in thermal stress on Guam’s reefs.”

According to Bastian Bentlage, PhD, UOG associate professor of bioinformatics and Guam NSF EPSCoR co-principal investigator, the conference poster presentations exposed the team to diverse scientific research.

“Our team presented mostly on climate change impacts on our natural resources, particularly the marine sciences. The poster sessions are quite different from other subject matter conferences because it ranges the whole gamut,” Bentlage said.

For Cheryl Sangueza, PhD, associate professor at the UOG School of
Education and student program coordinator for Guam NSF EPSCoR, empowering the students to participate in the EPSCoR National Conference not only enriches their academic journey but also amplifies their unique voices in the scientific community.

“When these young scholars share their insights and innovations,
they demonstrate that diverse perspectives are crucial in shaping a more inclusive and progressive world of research. What I enjoy most is seeing how our University of Guam students represent our grants, our university, our island, and our region! Our students leave a memorable impression of our university and our island, and we take
great pride in their work,” she said.

The national conference brought together hundreds of participants, including students, scientists, and administrators from 28 states and territories receiving research funding from NSF EPSCoR.

October 31, 2024November 7, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 29, 2024November 8, 2024

Bioblitz survey finds false spider crab in Guam

Among over a thousand species that were found during the University of Guam’s first Bioblitz is the Elamena castanea, a type of false spider crab.

While the Elamena castanea superficially looks like one, this species is not actually a spider crab and belongs to the Hymenosomatoidea superfamily which means they aren’t even related to true spider crabs.

Originally discovered in the Philippines, this is the first time that the species has been observed here in Guam even though the area has been sampled numerous times through the decades.

Since this discovery, several more crab specimens have been found on the reef flat behind the UOG Marine Lab.

“It shows you how much diversity there is out there,” said Robert Lasley, PhD, UOG Biorepository crustacea curator. “Elamena castanea specimens were collected under rocks or in seaweed in shallow depths – usually less than 1-2 meters.”

Lasley notes that even after the three-week biological survey, there are still hundreds, possibly even thousands, of marine species that remain undocumented in the waters off Guam.

“Honestly, though, we find new records all the time, often without noticing it,” he said. “It takes a lot of work at the microscope and digging through literature to confirm if something is a new species or new record.”

Along with the Elamena castanea, other findings included new records of different species of isopods, nudibranchs, nemerteans, gobies, and shrimps.

It has been estimated that between 10 to 15 percent of the specimens collected during the BioBlitz are either new records or entirely new species.

Since February, the Biorepository team has been developing and cataloging the specimens and uploading the specimen data to the Biorepository database.

Soon, they will be able to loan out specimens to researchers so that they can be further examined and new information can be reported.

The team is also planning future biological surveys with more targeted searches for specific organisms, using the information collected during this first Bioblitz.

In addition, they intend to organize surveys in other places throughout the region, such as Palau and the Marshall Islands.

Through these surveys, researchers will be able to learn more about what organisms call the vast ocean home, including the Elamena castanea, which will also help the community learn how to preserve and protect them.

October 16, 2024October 16, 2024

UOG accepting applications for paid student research program

The University of Guam is now accepting applications for the Student Research Experience (SRE) program for undergraduate students for the 2025 term.

The program is headed by the Guam National Science Foundation’s Established Programs to Stimulate Competitive Research (Guam NSF ESPCoR) Education Workforce Development (EWD) team.

Selected students will participate in the year-long paid research internship and receive faculty mentoring, possible travel opportunities and a monthly $500 stipend.

“This is a great opportunity for students who are interested in STEM to get hands-on lab experience with distinguished mentors here at UOG,” said Guam NSF EPSCoR EWD Project Associate Hannah Perez. “This is a wonderful development opportunity for undergrad students from UOG or GCC.”

The mentors for the upcoming cohort are:

-Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D. who specializes in coral molecular biology
-Christopher Lobban, Ph.D. a leading Diatom biologist
-Robert Lasley, Ph.D., an internationally renowned crustacean biologist

Interested students can visit guamepscor.uog.edu/student-research-experience-sre to submit applications now.

Deadline for applications is October 31, 2024 with notifications of acceptance expected to be sent out by November 22, 2024.

The program will officially take place from January to December 2025 at the University of Guam.

For more information, students can contact Perez at perezh8997@triton.uog.edu or call 671-787-3440.

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.

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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.”