Mapuana Antonio, DrPH
Associate Professor
Office of Public Health Studies, Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work – University of Hawaii Manoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Office of Public Health Studies – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Jinan Banna, PhD, RD
Professor
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Research Interest Area
Nutrition education, program evaluation, community nutrition, child and adolescent nutrition.
Recent Research Publications
“Yoder A, Proano G, Kelley K, Wu Y, Banna J. Perspectives of food as medicine concept: report of an online convenience sample survey of registered dietitian nutritionists. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2023;S2212-2672(23)00240-X. Reicks M, Lora K, Jin Y, Kojo Anderson A, Monroe-Lord L, Jones B, Topham G, Banna J, Gunther C, Hopkins L, Richards R, Wong SS. Parenting practices are associated with adolescent food choices during independent eating occasions. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2023;S2212-2672(23)00276-9. Macchi A, Banna JC, Moreira S, Campos M, Palacios C. Effect of a Short Messaging Service (SMS) intervention delivered to caregivers on energy, nutrients, and food group intake of infant participants of the WIC program. Frontiers in Public Health. 2022; 10:986330.”
Recent Grants
“2022-2024. Development and validation of a novel tool to assess sodium intake for heart disease prevention in a multiethnic population. Hawaii Community Foundation 2022-2023. Mapping Community Assets to Establish a Local Coordinated System of Care to Prevent Childhood Obesity. Kellogg Foundation. Banna J, Collaborator (PI: Albie Miles) 2021-2022. Nutrition in Food Retail Program Development. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Banna J, Mentor 2020-2021. Testing the effectiveness of a unique, innovative, easy-to-use program on young children’s attitudes about and consumption of fruits and vegetables United States Department of Agriculture. Banna J, Co-PI (Awardee Organization Katalyst Kreations, LLC) ”
Marla J. Berry, PhD
Professor and Director, Pacific Biosciences Research Center
School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology (SOEST) – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology (SOEST) – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
808-956-8838
Research Interest Area
Selenium, selenoprotein roles in health and disease, and selenium metabolism
Recent Research Publications
1. Ralston NVC, Raymond LJ, Gilman CL, Soon R, Seale LA, Berry MJ. Maternal seafood consumption is associated with improved selenium status: Implications for child health. Neurotoxicology. 2024 Mar;101:26-35. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.01.003. PMC10978253.
2. Toh P, Seale LA, Berry MJ, Torres DJ. Prolonged maternal exposure to glucocorticoids alters selenoprotein expression in the developing brain. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 24, March 2023. Vol 16. Doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2023.1115993
3. An KJ*, Hanato AN*, Hui KW, Pitts MW, Seale LA, Nicholson JL, Toh P, Kim JK, Berry MJ, Torres DJ. Selenium Protects Mouse Hypothalamic Cells from Glucocorticoid-induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Vulnerability and Insulin Signaling Impairment. Antioxidants, 2023. Feb 20; 12(2), 526. DIO:10.3390/antiox12020526. *co-first authors. PMC9952756
4. Nicholson JL, Toh P, Alfulaij N, Berry MJ, Torres DJ. New insights on selenoproteins and neuronal function. Free Radic Biol Med. 2022 Sep;190:55-61. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.07.021.
Recent Grants
• 2022-2027. Integrative Center for Precision Nutrition and Human Health, Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE). NIGMS, NIH. Berry, PI.
• 1994-2022. Mechanism of Selenoprotein Synthesis, R01. NIDDK, NIH. Berry, PI.
• 2017-2022. RCMI: Ola Hawaii – Health & Wellness Achieved by Impacting Inequalities. NIMHD, NIH. Director of Investigator Development Core
Current Graduate Students
Jessica Nicholson, PhD, Cell and Molecular Biology, JABSOM, 2020
Jean Butel, PhD
Assistant Specialist
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Research Interest Area
Community Nutrition, Community Engagement
Recent Research Publications
1. Novotny, R., Aflague, T., Butel, J., Coleman, P., Fleming, T., Frank, K., Hovmand, P., Ing, C., Oshiro, J., Shallcross, L., Wilkens, L. (2023). Putting People Back Into Community Food Systems: Community-Based System Dynamics Childrens Healthy Living Food Systems. Current Developments in Nutrition, 7 (Suppl 1).
2. Butel, Jean, et al. “Community social network pattern analysis: Development of a novel methodology using a complex, multi-level health intervention.” UTS ePress, vol. 14, no. 1, 2021 May, Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement, Article ID 7485
3. Butel, J., et al. (2019) Implementation Strategies And Barriers To Native Hawaiian And Other Pacific Islanders Community Interventions: A Cross-Case Study Of The Children’s Healthy Living (CHL) Program. Asian American Journal of Psychology. 10(3), 282-291.
4.Butel, J., et al. (2019) Estimating Intervention Dose Of The Multilevel Multisite Children’s Healthy Living Program Intervention Translational Behavioral Medicine.
Current Graduate Students
Jennifer Galbreath, PhD Nutritional Sciences, Children’s Healthy Living Program Food Systems Resiliency
Monica Esquivel, PhD, RDN, CSSD
Associate Professor
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Research Interest Area
Dr. Esquivel’s research focuses on community-based nutrition interventions, food security, and culturally grounded strategies to prevent obesity and diabetes in Pacific Islander populations.
Recent Research Publications
Esquivel MK, Shelton C, Higa A, Ahn HJ, Okhiro M. Pediatric Produce Prescription Program grounded in community connection improves food security and fruit intake in Hawaiʻi. AJPM Focus. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1016/j.focus.2025.100365
Esquivel M, Higa A, Guidry A, Shelton C, Okihiro M. A Qualitative Study on the Motivators, Barriers and Supports to Participation in a Pediatric Produce Prescription Program in Hawai‘i. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(24):16682.
Esquivel MK, Aflague TF, Yamanaka AB, et al. Children’s Dietary Intake by Early Care and Education Setting in the US Affiliated Pacific. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2023;55(6):437–446.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Aflague TF, Esquivel MK, Hammond K, Delos Reyes B, Kaholokula JK. Traditional and New Lifestyle Interventions to Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence (TANICA): A Qualitative Study. Support Care Cancer. 2023;31(4):218.
Current Graduate Students
Stacey Keruwa, MS Nutritional Sciences, Pacific Islands Food and Nutrition Issues
Tianna Williams, MS Nutritional Sciences, Sports Nutrition and Dietetics
Haley Nakamura, MS Nutritional Sciences, Child Health and Nutrition, Dietetics
Shayna Mae, MS Nutritional Sciences, Dietary Assessment and Dietetics
Samantha Torres, PhD Public Health, Filipino Social Support and Breast Cancer
Bradley (Kai) Fox, PhD
Aquaculture Extension Specialist and Project and Partner Coordinator, Center for Sustainable Aquaculture and Coastal Resources
University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
Categories: School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology (SOEST) – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
808-291-2623
Research Interest Area
Current aspects of aquaculture species of importance to community and commercial interests in Hawai‘i and the United States Affiliated Pacific Islands.
Recent Research Publications
Ju, Z.Y., S. David, K. Ramm, M. Steck, F. Soller, and B.K. Fox (2017). Effects of microalgae-added diets on growth performance and meat composition of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Aquaculture Research 48:5053-5061.
B.K. Fox, K.D. Gorospe, R.D. Haverkort-Yeh, and M.A.J. Rivera (2013). It’s a snap! An Inquiry-
Based, Snapping Shrimp Bioacoustics Activity. The American Biology Teacher 75(7): 470-475.
Gorospe, K.D., B.K. Fox, R.D. Haverkort-Yeh, C.S. Tamaru, and M.A.J. Rivera (2013). Engaging Students in the Pacific and Beyond Using an Inquiry-Based Lesson in Ocean Acidification. Journal of Geoscience Education 61: 396-404.
Soto, E., K. McGovern-Hopkins, R. Klinger-Bowen, B.K. Fox, J. Brock, N. Antonio, Z. van der
Waal, S. Rushton, A. Mill, and C.S. Tamaru (2013). Prevalence of Francisella noatunensis
subsp. orentalis in Cultured Tilapia on the Island of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 25(2): 104-109.
Recent Grants
Strengthening Hawaii’s Seafood Workforce and Educational Opportunities for the Next Generation of Young Fishers and Aquaculturists. PI: Cherie Kauahi, Hawai‘i Sea Grant. Co-Is: Darren K.Okimoto, Bradley Fox, Eileen Peppard, Hawai‘i Sea Grant; Maria Haws, University of Hawai‘iat Hilo. $100,000. Sept. 1, 2021-Feb. 28, 2022.
Roadmap to Food for Loko I‘a (Hawaiian Fishponds) – Pua (Young Fish) Stocking. PI: Cherie
Kauahi. Co-Is: Darren K. Okimoto, Bradley Fox, Hawai‘i Sea Grant. $15,000. Sept. 1, 2021-
Feb. 28, 2022.
Addressing COVID-19 Impacts to Local Food Security Through Aquaculture of Native Hawaiian Marine Finfish and Seaweed. PI: Bradley Fox, Hawai‘i Sea Grant. Co-Is: Cherie Kauahi, Darren K. Okimoto, Darren T. Lerner, Elizabeth Lenz, Hawai‘i Sea Grant; Maria Haws, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. $200,000. Sept. 1, 2021-Aug. 31, 2023.
Establishing a Supply and Training Program for Aquaculture Production of Hawaiian Sea Cucumber. PI: David Anderson, Kauai Sea Farm. Co-Is: Cherie Kauahi, Bradley Fox, Darren K. Okimoto, Darren T. Lerner, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant; Anthony Mau, Kualoa Ranch Hawaiʻi; Maria Haws, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. $299,154. Sept. 1, 2021-Aug.31, 2023.
Current Graduate Students
Andrew Bohringer (MS, Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences), Aquaponic cultivation of taro
Jonathan Rosen (MS, Marine Biology), Temperature stress on reef fishes
Seaenna Correa-Garcia (MS, Marine Biology), Native seaweed cultivation
Tyler Goodearly (PhD, Nutritional Sciences), Environmental physiology of sea cucumbers
Reilly Merlo (MS, Animal Science), Effects of salinity on fish nutrition
Tharindu Malintha (PhD, Nutritional Sciences), Environmental regulation of transcription factors in fish
Yanghua “Sunny” He, PhD
Associate Professor
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
808-956-7090
Research Interest Area
Integrating omics data to investigate interactions between genetics and environment in animals and humans, answering how organisms (epi-)genetically respond to environmental changes and adapt to them.
Recent Research Publications
J1. Yanghua He, Robert L. Taylor Jr., Hao Bai, Christopher M. Ashwell, Keji Zhao, Yaokun Li, Guirong Sun, Huanmin Zhang, Jiuzhou Song. Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and immunity in chickens that vary in Marek’s disease resistance. Poultry Science. August 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2023.103036.
2. Guanjue Xiang, Xi He, Belinda M. Giardine, Kathryn J. Weaver, …, Ross C. Hardison. Cross-species regulatory landscapes and elements revealed by novel joint systematic integration of human and mouse blood cell epigenomes. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.04.02.535219. Genome Research. 2024
3. Mandeep Adhikari, Michael B. Kantar, Ryan J. Longman, Christopher Aguirre, Melelani Oshiro, Kyle Caires, C. N. Lee, Yanghua He*. Genome-wide association study for carcass weight in pasture finished beef cattle in Hawaii. Frontiers in Genetics. Volume 14. 2023. PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10203587. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1168150
4. Mandeep Adhikari, Ryan J Longman, Thomas W Giambelluca, C.N. Lee, Yanghua He*. Climate change impacts shifting landscape of the dairy industry in Hawai`i. Translational Animal Science, 2022. 6(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txac064
Recent Grants
Epigenetics study of thermal tolerance in Pacific White Shrimp, USDA NIFA CTSA
Current Graduate Students
Current Graduate Students (Chair)
Urmita Chowdhury, (MS, HNFAS home): shrimp epigenetics
Natalie Deans, (MS, HNFAS home): beef metagenomics
Madison Handa (post-graduate, pre-veterinary student)
Kacie K.H.Y. Ho, PhD
Associate Professor
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
(808) 956-8286
Research Interest Area
Bioactive compounds, bioavailability, food structuring, colloids for nutrient and bioactive stabilization or delivery
Recent Research Publications
Kim, S. T., Conklin, S. D., Redan, B. W., & Ho, K. K.H.Y. (2024). Determination of the Nutrient and Toxic Element Content of Wild-Collected and Cultivated Seaweeds from Hawai ‘i. ACS food science & technology, 4(3), 595-605. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.3c00476
Pereira, G. M., Jun, S., Li, Q. X., Wall, M. M., & Ho, K. K.H.Y. (2023). Formation and physical characterization of soy protein-isoflavone dispersions and emulsions. LWT, 176, 114513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2023.114513
Ho, K. K.H.Y., & Redan, B. W. (2021). Impact of thermal processing on the nutrients, phytochemicals, and metal contaminants in edible algae. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 62(2), 508-526. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2020.1821598
Laurora, A., Bingham, J. P., Poojary, M. M., Wall, M. M., & Ho, K. K.H.Y. (2021). Carotenoid composition and bioaccessibility of papaya cultivars from Hawaii. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 101, 103984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2021.103984
Current Graduate Students
Dongjun Xie, MS Food Science
Taryn Nakamura, MS Food Science
Brittany Adkins, MS Food Science
Grace Alleman, MS Food Science
Rajesh Jha, DVM, PhD
Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Research Interest Area
Monogastric Animal Nutrition, Gut Health and Physiology, Feed and Feed Additive Evaluation.
Recent Research Publications
R. Das, P. Mishra, B. Mishra, and R. Jha (2024). Effect of in ovo feeding of xylobiose and xylotriose on plasma immunoglobulin, cecal metabolites production, microbial ecology, and metabolic pathways in broiler chickens. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology 15:62.
P. Mishra, R. Das, A. Chaudhary, B. Mishra, and R. Jha (2023). Effects of microalgae, with or without xylanase supplementation, on growth performance, organs development, and gut health parameters of broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 102:103056.
K. Singh, U. P. Tiwari, B. Mishra, and R. Jha (2022). Effect of in ovo delivered xylo- and mannan- oligosaccharides on growth performance, intestinal immunity, cecal short-chain fatty acids, and cecal microbiota of broilers. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 13:13.
R.Jha and P. Mishra (2021). Dietary fiber in poultry nutrition and their effects on nutrient utilization, performance, gut health, and on the environment: a review. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 12:51.
Current Graduate Students
Razib Das (PhD, HNFAS home): Nutritional Sciences
Pravin Mishra (PhD, HNFAS home): Nutritional Sciences
Suresh Burlakoti (MS, HNFAS home): Animal Sciences
Bal krishna Pandey (MS, HNFAS home): Animal Sciences
Soojin Jun, PhD
Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Kate Larson, PhD
Affiliate Graduate Faculty
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Janet Latner, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences- University of Hawaii at Manoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Loic Le Marchand, MD, PhD
Professor, Full Member, Population Sciences in the Pacific Program (Cancer Epidemiology), University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: Cancer Center – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Mi-Jeong Lee, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Rachael Leon Guerrero, PhD, RDN, LD
Director
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs – University of Guam
Categories: Uncategorized
Yong Li, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
808-956-6408
Research Interest Area
Food Microbiology, novel microbial detection methods, sanitation techniques, natural antimicrobials, probiotics, prebiotics and gut health
Recent Research Publications
• Wu, B., Hu, J.S., and Li, Y. 2022. Development of an ultra-sensitive single-tube nested PCR assay for rapid detection of Campylobacter jejuni in ground chicken. Food Microbiology 106: 104052. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2022.104052
• Dong, L. Wall, M., and Li, Y. 2022. Aqueous chlorine dioxide generated with organic acids have higher antimicrobial efficacy than those generated with inorganic acids. International Journal of Food Microbiology 369: 109632. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109632
• Wu, B., Liu, X., Nakamoto, S.T., Wall, M., and Li, Y. 2022. Antimicrobial activity of ohelo berry (Vaccinium calycinum) Juice against Listeria monocytogenes and its potential for milk preservation. Microorganisms 10: 548. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10030548
Recent Grants
• PI. Exploring the prebiotic potential of tropical commodities. USDA-ARS. 2018-2023
• Co-PI, with Jun, S (PI) and Ho, K. Electric and magnetic field-based supercooling technology to ensure the freshness in the food supply chain. USDA-AFRI. 2021-2023
Current Graduate Students
• Lianger Dong (PhD Nutritional Sciences)
• Biyu Wu (PhD Nutritional Sciences)
Qing X. Li, PhD
Professor
Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Research Interest Area
Alzheimer’s, Anti-obesity, Agricultural chemistry, Phytopharmaceuticals, Proteomics
Recent Research Publications
• Sun, B.; Tan, D.; Pan, D.; Baker, M.R.; Liang, Z.; Wang, Z.; Lei, J.; Liu, S.; Hu, C.Y. Li, Q.X. 2021. Dihydromyricetin imbues anti-adipogenic effects on 3T3-L1 cells via direct interactions with 78-kDa glucose regulated protein. The Journal of Nutrition 151(7): 1717-1725.
• Zhang, Z.; Tan, X.; Sun, X.; Wei, J.; Li, Q.X.; Wu, Z. 2022. Isoorientin alleviates Alzheimer’s disease related hallmarks via relieving the dysfunction of oral and gut microbiota in APP/PS1 model mice. The Journal of Nutrition. 152(1): 140-152.
• Xu, M.; Lantz, M.J.; Nichols, R.; Li, Q.X. 2022. Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of a semi-synthetic isoorientin-based GSK-3β inhibitor in lipopolysaccharide-activated microglial cells. ACS Chemical Neuroscience 13(1): 43-52.
• Wang, L.; Huang, M.; Wu, Z.; Huang, M.; Yan, Y.; Song, B.; Li, X.; Li, Q.X. 2022. Methyl eugenol binds recombinant gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein from the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentali. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 70: 4871-4880.
Recent Grants
• NIH/NCI R01 HD084633-01 (Co-I) An integrative omics approach to identify biomarkers related to preeclampsia and breast cancer risks in offspring. 7/2016-7/2022
• HI DOA 69854 (PI) Pesticide fate and leachability assessment project. 11/2021 – 10/2026
• Saudi Arabia DRI 78 (PI) Study on the degradation of benzo[a]pyrene by thermophilic, acidophilic and alkaliphilic microbes isolated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 2022
Current Graduate Students
Chelsea Miller (PhD, Molecular biosciences and bioengineering), Alzheimer’s drug discovery
Kandria Driskill (MS, Molecular biosciences and bioengineering), Coral bleaching
Unhee Lim, PhD, MS
Professor (Researcher)
Full Member, Population Sciences in the Pacific Program
Categories: University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Research Interest Area
Role lifestyle in the development and racial/ethnic disparities of common cancers and dementia.
Recent Research Publications
Park SY, Setiawan VW, White LR, …, Lim U. Modifying effects of race and ethnicity and APOE on the association of physical activity with risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Alzheimers Dement 2022. PMC9810117.
Lim U, Wang S, Park SY, …, Setiawan VW. Risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia by sex and race/ethnicity: The Multiethnic Cohort Study. Alzheimers Dement 2021. PMC9177893.
Song MA, Seffernick AE, Archer KJ, …, Lim U. Race/ethnicity-associated blood DNA methylation differences between Japanese and European American women: an exploratory study. Clin Epigenetics 2021. PMC8507376.
Lim U, Monroe KR, Buchthal S, …, Le Marchand L. Propensity for intra-abdominal and hepatic adiposity varies among ethnic groups. Gastroenterology 2019. PMC6409195.
Publication list via My NCBI (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/unhee.lim.1/bibliography/public/)
Recent Grants
U. Lim, Co-Investigator; L. Le Marchand, PI
National Cancer Institute
R01 CA258179
“Effects of intermittent energy restriction on intra-abdominal fat and the gut microbiome: a randomized trial”
09/2021 – 08/2026
U. Lim, PI; J. Lampe and M. Hullar, MPI
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
R01 MD018265
“Longitudinal study of early NAFLD progression and the gut microbiome in Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Whites”
09/2022 – 06/2027
Current Graduate Students
Homa Sadeghi, PhD, University of Southern California (co-mentor; diet and NAFLD/MAFLD)
Devon Cataldi (pending PhD), University of Hawaii Cancer Center (co-mentor; body composition and health/health disparities)
Gina Nam, PhD student, University of California Los Angeles (co-mentor; risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementia in cancer survivors)
Chloe Panizza Lozano, PhD, MHlthProm, GradDip Dietetics
Assistant Professor, Cancer Prevention in the Pacific Population Sciences Program
University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Categories: University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Research Interest Area
mHealth, Nutrition Artificial Intelligence, nutrition assessment, dietary patterns, obesity prevention and management, nutrition education, dietary behavior change, and community nutrition.
Recent Research Publications
Lozano, C.; Saha, S.; Broyles, S.; Martin, C.; Apolzan, J. O28 Validation of a Mobile App for Providing Real-Time Estimates of Portion Size, Energy Intake and MyPlate Food Group Servings. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2022, 54(7):S14-S15. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2022.04.035
Lozano, C.; Wilkens, L.; Shvetsov, Y.; Maskarinec, G.; Park, S.; Shepherd, J.; Boushey, C.; Hebert, J.; Wirth, M.; Ernst, T.; Randolph, T.; Lim, U.; Lampe, J.; Le Marchand, L.; Hullar, M. Associations of the Dietary Inflammatory Index with total adiposity and ectopic fat through the gut microbiota, lipopolysaccharides, and C-reactive protein in the Multiethnic Cohort-Adiposity Phenotype Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021, Dec 6:nqab398. Epub ahead of print. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab398
Panizza, C.E.; Lim, U.; Yonemori, K.M.; Cassel, K.D.; Wilkens, L.R.; Harvie, M.N.; Maskarinec, G.; Delp, E.J.; Lampe, J.W.; Shepherd, J.A.; Le Marchand, L.; Boushey, C.J. Effects of Intermittent Energy Restriction Combined with a Mediterranean Diet on Reducing Visceral Adiposity: A Randomized Active Comparator Pilot Study. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1386. doi: 10.3390/nu11061386
Recent Grants
National Institute of Food and Agriculture/USDA. Award Number 2023-67012-39409. PI: Lozano, C.. Primary Mentor: Novotny, R. Additional Mentor: Martin, C. 04/01/2023-03/31/2025. mHealth to Improve Diet Quality Among Adolescents in EFNEP in Hawaii.
Current Graduate Students
Gertraud Maskarinec, MD PhD
Professor, Cancer Epidemiology Program and Program Director, Post-Doctoral Training Program
University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Categories: University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Birendra Mishra, PhD, MS, DVM
Assistant Professor
Department of Human Nutrition, Food & Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Pratibha Nerurkar, PhD
Professor
Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Research Interest Area
Alternative medicien adn metabolic disorders
Rachel Novotny, PhD, RDN, LD, DFASN
Professor, Graduate Chair, Nutritional Sciences; Director, Children’s Healthy Living Center of Excellence
Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences – College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Phone: 808-956-3848
Research Interest Area
nutritional assessment of understudied populations.
Recent Research Publications
a. Hovmand PS, Franck K, Butel J, Galbreath J, Esquivel M, Coleman P, Aflague T, Shallcross L, Ogland-Hand C, Oshiro J, Belyeu-Camacho T, Sikes A, Novotny R. Developing Group Model Building Workshops for Children’s Healthy Living (CHL) Food Systems, Current Developments in Nutrition, 2025; 9: 104583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.104583
b. Seale LA, Yamanaka AB, Hammond K, Lim E, Wilkens LR, McFall P, Aflague TA, Coleman P, Fleming T, Shallcross L, Deenik J, Novotny R, Dietary micronutrient intake and the prevalence of metabolic conditions among children from the US-affiliated Pacific region in the Children’s Healthy Living Program, Current Developments in Nutrition, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.104531
c. Novotny R, Yamanaka A, Butel J, Boushey CJ, Dela Cruz R, Aflague T, Coleman, P, Shallcross L, Fleming T, Wilkens LR. Maintenance Outcomes of the Children’s Healthy Living Program on Overweight, Obesity, and Acanthosis Nigricans Among Young Children in the US-Affiliated Pacific Region: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(6):e2214802. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.14802
Recent Grants
USDA/NIFA/AFRI Grant# 205-68015-44279 (PI Jean Butel) 0/1/01/2025-12/31/2029; Total $1,500,000
Pacific Nutrition Hub
Enhance nutrition capacity in the US Affiliated Pacific Region (USAPR)
Role: Co-PI
T32DK137523, NIH (MPI Youping Deng and Rachel Novotny) 09/1/2023-08/31/2028; Total: $2,140,424
The Hawaii Advanced Training in Artificial Intelligence for Precision Nutrition Science Research (HAIPrN)
Support training activities for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows to gain extensive experience and knowledge in AI/ML for biomedical research in precision nutrition and dietary science and nutrition-related chronic diseases.
Role: MPI
USDA/NIFA/AFRI 2021-05703 (PI Rachel Novotny) 9/1/2021–8/31/2026;
Total: $10 million
Food System Resiliency for Children’s Healthy Living (CHL Food System)
Develop a CHL Food Systems Model and simulation that will identify and test drivers of resiliency in food supply chains in order to decrease food wastage and increase food and nutrition security, healthful dietary patterns, and healthy body size among children across the US Affiliated Pacific insular area.
Role: PI
May Okihiro, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatric HICORE Director, NPCA Healthcare Task-force Chair
Categories: John A. Burns School of Medicine- University of Hawaii at Manoa
Caleb C. Reichhardt, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
808-956-7691
Research Interest Area
Livestock Management. Skeletal Muscle Growth. Livestock Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Strategies
Recent Research Publications
1. C.C. Reichhardt, J.M. Cuthbert, L.A. Motsinger, R.K. Briggs, T.J. Brady, A.J. Thomas, and K.J. Thornton. 2022. Anabolic implants alter abundance of mRNA involved in muscle growth, metabolism and inflammation in the longissimus of Angus steers in the feedlot. Domestic Animal Endocrinology.
2. C.C. Reichhardt, R. Feuz, T.J. Brady, L.A. Motsinger, R.K. Briggs, B.R Bowman, M.D. Garcia, R. Larsen, and K.J. Thornton. 2021. Interactions between cattle breed type and anabolic implant strategy impact circulating serum metabolites, feedlot performance, feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, and economic return in beef steers. Domestic Animal Endocrinology.
3. C.C. Reichhardt, A. Ahmadpour, R.G. Christensen, N.E. Ineck, G.K. Murdoch, and K.J. Thornton. 2020. Understanding the influence of trenbolone acetate and polyamines on proliferation of bovine satellite cells. Domestic Animal Endocrinology.
Recent Grants
NSIIC: Evaluating the Use of Injectable Vitamin E and C to Control for Parasites in Sheep Production; 2023-2024
Marie Kainoa Fialkowski Revilla, PhD RDN LD IBC CLC
Associate Researcher and Professor
University of Hawaii Cancer Center
Categories: Cancer Center – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
808 564 5915
Research Interest Area
Nutrition and Health in Indigenous Populations, Nutritional Assessment, Infant Nutrition and Lactation
Recent Research Publications
Sparks KS, Fialkowski MK, Dela Cruz R, et al. Acculturation and Health Status in the Children’s Healthy Living Program (CHL) in the Pacific Region. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024; 21: 448. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040448.
Fialkowski MK, Kai J, Young C, et al. An Active Image-Based Mobile Food Record Is Feasible for Capturing Eating Occasions among Infants Ages 3-12 Months Old in Hawai’i. Nutrients. 2022 Mar 3;14(5):1075. doi: 10.3390/nu14051075. PMID: 35268049; PMCID: PMC8912647.
Fialkowski MK, Ng-Osorio J, Kai J, Swafford K, Langfelder G, Young CGL, Chen JJ, Zhu FM, Boushey CJ. Type, Timing and Diversity of Complementary Foods Among Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino Infants. Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2020; 79(5 Suppl 1): 127 – 134.
Recent Grants
U24 CA268228
Wilkens (MPI); Role: Co-Investigator
1/12/2022-12/31/2026
Traditional and New Dietary Assessment Methods (TANDAM) for Personalized Nutrition
R01 HD103885
Shepherd (MPI); Role: Co-Investigator
7/1/2021-6/30/2026
Quantifying Pediatric Body Shape in Clinical Research
Andre P. Seale, PhD
Associate Researcher and Professor
Department of Human Nutrition, Food & Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Research Interest Area
The effects of environmental changes on the physiology (I.e. growth, osmoregulation, metabolism and stress) of aquatic organisms with broader implications to aquaculture and biomedical research.
Recent Research Publications
Woo, D. W., Malintha, G. H. T., Celino-Brady, F. T., Yamaguchi, Y., Breves, J. P., Seale, A. P. (2022). Tilapia prolactin cells are thermosensitive osmoreceptors. Am. J. Physiol. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00027.2022.
Seale, L. A., Gilman, C. L., Zavacki, A. M., Larsen, P. R., Inokuchi, M., Breves, J. P., Seale, A. P. (2021) Regulation of thyroid hormones and branchial iodothyronine deiodinases during freshwater acclimation in tilapia. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 538: 111450.
Inokuchi, M., Moorman, B., Yamaguchi, Y., Seale, A. P. (2021). Age-dependent decline in salinity tolerance in a euryhaline fish. Front. Aging. 2: 15.
Celino-Brady, F., Lerner, D. T., Seale, A. P. (2021). Experimental Approaches for Characterizing the Endocrine Disrupting Effects of Environmental Chemicals in Fish. Front. Endocrinol. 11:1170
Seale, A. P., Pavlosky, K. K., Celino-Brady, F., Lerner, D. T. (2020). Sex, salinity and sampling period dependent patterns of growth hormone mRNA expression in Mozambique tilapia. Aquaculture. 519: 734766.
Recent Grants
2022-present PI: University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program omnibus grant; “Identifying the physiological responses to extreme environmental changes in native Hawaiian Sea cucumbers found in traditional fishponds”;
2019-present Co-PI: Advanced Aquaculture Collaborative Programs (NOAA); “Establishing a Hawaiʻi-Pacific Aquaculture Consortium: A Revitalization and Expansion of the Aquaculture Development Program”.
2018-present Co-PI; Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); “Establishing an aquaculture program at the University of Hawai‘i that leverages and integrates Land Grant and Sea Grant research, extension and education resources.
2018-present PI; National Science Foundation (IOS-1755016); “Collaborative Research: Identifying osmosensitive molecular targets using a unique vertebrate model”.
2017-2021 PI; National Institutes of Health (1R21DK111775-01); “Integrating Osmosensitivity and Autocrine Signaling in a Model for Osmoregulation”.
Current Graduate Students
Tharindu Malintha (PhD, Nutritional Sciences), Environmental regulation of transcription factors in fish.
Ryan Chang (MS, Animal Science), Effects of salinity on the stress response in fish.
Tyler Goodearly (PhD, Nutritional Sciences), Environmental physiology of Sea Cucumbers.
Reilly Merlo (MS, Animal Science), Effects of salinity on fish nutrition.
Lucia A. Seale, MS, PhD
Associate Research Professor
Pacific Biosciences Research Center, School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology (SOEST)
Categories: School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology (SOEST) – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Research Interest Area
The metabolism of the micronutrient selenium and its impact in lipid biology, adipocyte physiology and obesity development.
Recent Research Publications
– Ralston NVC, Raymond LJ, Gilman CL, Soon R, Seale LA, Berry MJ. (2024) Maternal seafood consumption is associated with improved selenium status: Implications for child health. Neurotoxicology 101:26-35.
– Shimada BK, Watanabe LM, Swanson S, Toh P, Seale LA. (2022) Selenium and selenoproteins in thermogenic adipocytes. Arch Biochem Biophys 731: 109445.
– Cardoso BR, Cominetti C, Seale LA. (2022) Editorial: Selenium, Human Health and Chronic Disease. Front Nutr 8:827759.
– Watanabe LM, Hashimoto AC, Torres DJ, Alfulaij N, Peres R, Sultana R, Maunakea AK, Berry MJ, Seale LA. (2021) Effect of statin treatment in obese selenium-supplemented mice lacking selenocysteine lyase. Mol Cell Endocrinol 533:111335.
– Seale LA, Ogawa-Wong AN, Watanabe LM, Khadka VS, Menor M, Torres DJ, Carlson BA, Hatfield DL, Berry MJ. (2021) Adaptive thermogenesis in a mouse model lacking selenoprotein biosynthesis in brown adipocytes. Int J Mol Sci 22(2): 611.
– Seale LA, Torres DJ, Berry MJ, Pitts MW. (2020) A role for selenium-dependent GPX1 in SARS-CoV-2 virulence. Am J Clin Nutr, 112(2): 447-448.
Recent Grants
– 2021-present, PI: Selenium metabolism in cold-induced adaptive thermogenesis. NIH – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK128390)
– 2023-present, PI: Effects of Selenium on Adipocyte Lipids. Hawaii Community Foundation – Ingeborg v.F. McKee Fund (MedRes_2023_00002973)
– 2022-present, Mentoring Director: Integrative Center for Precision Nutrition and Human Health (COBRE-Nutrition). NIH – National Institute of General Medical Sciences (P20GM139753)
– 2023-present, Mentoring Coordinator: Integrative Center for Environmental Microbiomes and Human Health (COBRE-Microbiome). NIH – National Institute of General Medical Sciences (P20GM125508)
Current Graduate Students
– Kayla Colaruotolo (PhD, Cell and Molecular Biology)
– Princess Santiago (MS, Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering)
John A. Shepherd, PhD
Researcher R5
Population Sciences in the Pacific Program (Cancer Epidemiology), University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center
Categories: Cancer Center – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Mark S. Thorne, Ph.D.
Specialist, Range and Livestock Extension
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
808-887-6183
Research Interest Area
Livestock nutrition and grazing behavior, livestock grazing management, and rangeland ecology
Recent Research Publications
Adhikari, B., C.N. Lee, V.S. Khadka, Y. Deng, G. Fukumoto, M. Thorne, K, Caires, J. Odani, and B. Mishra. 2022. RNA-Sequencing based analysis of bovine endometrium during the maternal recognition of pregnancy. BMC Genonics. 23:494 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-022-08720-4
Krushelnycky, P.D., F. Starr, K. Starr, M. Abran, M. Thorne, J. Leary, M. Fukada, D. Rubinoff. 2018. Performance of the biocontrol agent Secusio extensa (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) on its target host, Senecio madagascariensis (Madagascar fireweed), on an alternate host, Delairea odorata (Cape ivy), and on non-target plants, in Hawaii. Biological Control 121: 234-246. (25% contribution, research support, manuscript review and edit).
Lee, C.N., G.K. Fukumoto, M.S. Thorne, M.H. Stevenson, Y.S. Kim, M. Nakahata, and R.M. Ogoshi. 2017. Nutrient Composition of Sugarcane Forages were influenced by season and the time of harvest. Dairy and Vet. Sci. J. 2(1): 555579.
Recent Grants
Thorne, M.S. (PI). 2021 – 2026. Evaluating Production and Nutrient Cycling of Grazing Management Systems in Hawaiian Forests and Pastures. USDA-CSREES, McIntire-Stennis (Internal). Funded. $125,000. 10/2021- 09/2026.
Price, M. K. Steensma, S. Shwiff, K. Caires, M. Thorne (co-PI), D. Risch. 2022 – 2025. Wildlife Impacts on Agroecosystems and Culture: Achieving integrated pest management of invasive ungulates in Hawaii. USDA-NIFA, WSARE. Funded. $350,000. 4/2022 – 3/2025.
Thorne, M.S. (PI), and M. Wright. 2021 – 2024. Detection and Management Strategies for the Control of Prosapia bicincta (Twolined Spittlebug) in Hawaii. Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources-HISC. Funded. $352,488. 10/2021 – 03/2024.
Current Graduate Students
Brittany Castle (PhD Nutrition). Influence of Gastrointestinal Parasite Burden on Bioactive Forage Selection by Goats.
Kristi L. West, Ph.D.
Specialist, Marine Mammals
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Lynne Wilkens, DrPH, MS
Co-Director, Biostat and Informatics Shared Resource
University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center- University of Hawaii at Manoa
Categories: Cancer Center – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Zhi Yang, PhD
Assistant Professor
Human Nutitrion, Food, and Animal Sciences
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Research Interest Area
Food biopolymers, Food structuring, Novel food processing methods, Rheology
Jinzeng Yang, PhD
Professor
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
808 956 6073
Ashley B. Yamanaka, PhD
Assistant Researcher
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Former Faculty
Jenee Odani, DVM
Associate Specialist, Extension Veterinarian, Pre-Vet Advisor
Department of Human Nutrition, Food & Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Sharon Kaiulani Odom
Assistant Specialist
Department of Human Nutrition, Food & Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Categories: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa