We work with and train the best students. Here are some of our current students and their research work.
Riccardo Martinez Barron, MS
Nutrition PhD
Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences
Chair: Dr. Alan Titchenal
Dissertation Topic
Perceptions of “desirable” body types and eating habits
Why did you chose the PhD Nutrition Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa?
It is an honor to be a part of this program. After a year of getting to know the HNFAS Department’s professors, I knew that the PhD Nutrition Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa was the only program that I wanted to join. Faculty and staff have created a culture that is challenging yet extremely supportive. Everyone that I have interacted with has demonstrated a sincere concern for every student’s success. From the student perspective, you can feel the Aloha. Academically, there is freedom to explore personal interests as well as guidance when needed. As a student in this department, I am gaining a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between food, humans, and health. This understanding is what I will carry forward as I move closer to working with underserved populations.
Academic Highlights
- Hodge, D., Jones, D., Martinez, R., Buono, M.J. (2013). Time course of the attenuation of sympathetic nervous activity during active heat acclimation. Autonomic Neuroscience, 177(2), 101-3.
- Martinez, R., Jones, D., Hodge, D., Buono, M.J. (2012). Blocking the beta-adrenergic system does not affect sweat gland function during active heat acclimation. Autonomic Neuroscience, 169(2), 113-5.
- 2011 Kasch-Boyer Endowed Scholarship in Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University.
Michelle Blas Laguana, MS
Nutrition PhD
Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Science
Chair: Rachel Novotny
Dissertation Topic
Dietary Assessment of Children on Guam
Why did you choose the PhD Nutrition Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa?
While living and working on Guam, I’ve been fortunate to work with faculty from the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) and the University of Hawaii’s Cancer Center in various research and extension capacities, so to be able to further my studies and career at UHM felt like the natural choice. I’ve enjoyed the various courses the intercollege PhD program has allows me to explore as well as the opportunities and support I’ve been given working in small class sizes with my peers and faculty. The mentorship and experience I have gained thus far has been very rewarding and I feel blessed to be in such a great learning environment! I believe the knowledge and faculty mentorships I have gained here at UHM will help provide me with the tools to go back home and continue nutrition education and research with the ethnic populations of Guam.
Lianger Dong, MS
Nutrition PhD
Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences
Chair: Dr. Yong Li
Dissertation Topic
Why did you chose the PhD Nutrition Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa?
My research during M.S. studying was involved with lactase treated dairy products using nanotechnology which is beneficial for lactose-intolerant costumers. This experience encourages me to focus on practical research based on an interdisciplinary knowledge of biological, physicochemical, and engineering science to improve the quality, nutritional profiles and safety of foods. Dr. Yong Li’s research projects discover potential antimicrobial, anticancer, or nutraceutical properties of local fruits, investigation of the effects of food derived bioactives on gut microbiota, and development of novel fast detecting techniques of food born pathogens. His research is very intriguing to me and matches my academic goal of providing potential solutions addressing food safety and human health problems. In addition, the courses and resources provided by the Nutrition PhD program at UHM are diverse and advanced. I chose UHM to continue my education in food science because I believe this is a great opportunity to gain professional knowledge and skills for my career and explore microbials, food, and their relationship to overall wellbeing.
Academic Highlights
- Dong JL, Yu X, Dong LE, Shen RL. In vitro fermentation of oat β-glucan and hydrolysates by fecal microbiota and selected probiotic strains. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2017 Sep;97(12):4198-203.
Solange Majewska Saxby
Nutrition PhD
Department Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences
Chair: Dr. Yong Li
Dissertation Topic
Effects of prebiotics and probiotics on colorectal cancers and obesity
Why did you chose the PhD Nutrition Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa?
University of Hawai’i Manoa offers a great interdisciplinary program, which was what I was searching for in a graduate school. I wanted to be able to connect my backgrounds in microbiology, human nutrition, and food science. Interweaving these fields would be made easy at UHM with the various course available to students. Furthermore, I am fortunate to be working on my research; the effects of prebiotics and probiotics in colorectal cancers and obesity. The academic advancements offered to me by UH Manoa are indeed bountiful, but my time in Hawai’i is also rewarding because of the place itself. I love living in the Aloha State, and I’m thankful to be where I can make the most of life.
Academic Highlights
- UHCC Fellowship, Analyzing Pacific Island Foods as Potential Prebiotics for the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer, AY2017-18.
Chloe Panizza, MS
Nutrition PhD
Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences
Chair: Dr. Carol Boushey
Dissertation Topic
Novel techniques for assessing dietary patterns, including the 2015 HEI and the mobile food record (mFR)
Why did you chose the PhD Nutrition Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa?
I was enrolled in the Masters in Health Promotion program at Curtin University in Western Australia and I was lucky enough to complete my research project for my masters in Hawai’i in 2015. I was exceedingly fortunate to have Dr. Boushey and Dr. Banna as my co-supervisors in Hawai’i during this time. Their research and mentorship was of an incredibly high standard and I fell in love with the island. I applied for the PhD Program in Nutrition at UHM because I wanted to continue working in the area of dietary assessment and to grow as a nutrition scientist under the guidance of Dr. Boushey and Dr. Banna.
Academic Highlights
- Panizza CE, Boushey CJ, Delp EJ, Kerr DA, Lim E, Gandhi K, Banna JC. Characterizing Early Adolescent Plate Waste Using the Mobile Food Record. Nutrients. 2017;9(2): 93.
- Banna J, Panizza C, Boushey CJ, Lim E. Characterizing Early Adolescent Food Waste using the Mobile Food Record. In: Proceedings of the Experimental Biology. April, 2016; San Diego.
- Banna J, Panizza C, Boushey CJ, Lim E. Sociodemographic Correlates of Lunch Time Food Waste in Early Adolescents. In: Proceedings of the Experimental Biology. April, 2016; San Diego.
- Panizza C, Fox K, Boushey C, Shanks C, Serrano E, Zee J, Fialkowski M, Banna J. Barriers, Motivators and Perspectives on Minimizing Lunchtime Food Waste of Early Adolescents in the National School Lunch Program. In: Proceedings of the Experimental Biology. April, 2017; Chicago.
Cherese Shelton, BS
Nutrition PhD
Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences
Chair: Dr. Monica Esquivel
Research Interest
Relationship between brain health and the development of Alzheimer’s disease
Why did you chose the PhD Nutrition Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa?
I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM). In this time, I found my passion for the college atmosphere and students. I realized that the most fulfilling career would be one where I can educate students about nutrition, while also conducting research that can benefit Hawaii. As an undergraduate student, I received a tremendous amount of support and opportunities that I believe are unique to UHM. I chose to pursue this Ph.D. Nutrition program because there is no other university that can provide more preparation in my pursuit to one day teach and conduct research as a professor at UHM.
Academic Highlights
- Carey D. Miller Memorial Scholarship, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, 2018-2019.
Asuka Suzuki, RD, CLC
Nutrition PhD
Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences
Chair: Dr. Jinan Banna
Dissertation Topic
Characterization of parental practices supporting positive eating behaviors of adolescents in Hawai`i and Japan
Why did you chose the PhD Nutrition Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa?
I initially enrolled in the Master of Science (MS) program in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Hawaii in Spring 2016. During my first term in the MS program, I realized my passion for both research and teaching, and decided to further my education through the PhD program at the University of Hawaii. I had the privilege to work as a teaching assistant, and I was eager to gain new knowledge through that position, surrounded by passionate and distinguished professors and peers. Additionally, in my first semester, while I was enrolled in Dr. Jinan Banna’s Advanced Child and Adolescent Nutrition course, I assisted with her research project in Women Infants and Children (WIC) and became highly interested in research on underserved youth. I was fascinated by the class discussions on obesity prevention strategies, current nutrition interventions, relevant programs and policies, and assessing the validity of nutrition/physical activity tools designed for youth. Moreover, embarking on the doctoral program at the University of Hawaii will afford me the opportunity to work in a diverse community and address the nutritional needs of a predominantly Asian population in a region I have not yet explored. I chose to apply to the University of Hawaii because continuing to work in this environment with Dr. Banna would be ideal for developing my career.
Academic Highlights
- Hongu, N. Pope, B.T. Bilgiç P, Orr, B.J. Suzuki, A. Kim, A.S. Merchant, N.C. Roe, D.J. Usability of a smartphone food picture app for assisting 24-hour dietary recall: a pilot study. Nutr Res Pract. 2015
Michael Cen Wong, BS
Nutrition PhD
Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences
Chair: Dr. John Shepherd
Dissertation Topic
Using body shape from 3D optical imaging for health assessment
Why did you chose the PhD Nutrition Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa?
After spending a year working after college, I soon realized it would be difficult to get where I want to be without further education. When the opportunity came to pursue my PhD at UH Manoa, I left my life behind in California to follow my dreams and start a new life. Fortunately for me, things have fallen in place. I enjoy the work I’m doing, I have a great mentor, I made wonderful friends, and I have no regrets.
Academic Highlights
- Wong MC, Ng BK, Kennedy SF, Hwaung P, Liu E, Kelly N, Pagano I, Garber AK, Chow D, Heymsfield SB, Shepherd JA. Children and Adolescent’s Anthropometrics Body Composition from 3D Optical Surface Scans. OBESITY. Accepted, 2019. (top 5 manuscript and will be featured in the 7th annual OBESITY Symposium)
- Bennett K. Ng, Markus J. Sommer, Michael C. Wong, Ian Pagano, Yilin Nie, Bo Fan, Samantha Kennedy, Brianna Bourgeois, Nisa Kelly, Yong E. Liu, Phoenix Hwaung, Andrea K. Garber, Dominic Chow, Christian Vaisse, Brian Curless, Steven B. Heymsfield, John A. Shepherd. Detailed 3D Body Shape Features Predict Body Composition, Blood Metabolites, and Functional Strength: The Shape Up Studies. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Accepted, 2019.
