Mapuana Antonio , DrPH
Assistant ProfessorOffice of Public Health Studies, Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work – University of Hawaii Manoa
Personal Email: antoniom@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Dr. Mapuana Antonio is a Native Hawaiian Assistant Professor, with a joint position in Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health at the Office of Public Health Studies and in Human Nutrition at the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. Dr. Mapuana’s research interests include general health and resilience of Native Hawaiians, determinants of health of Native Hawaiians and Indigenous Peoples, community-based participatory research, and chronic disease prevention (including obesity and diabetes prevention).
Recent Publications
- Keaulana, S., Antonio, M., Schoch, H., Banna, J. (2019). A Literature Review of the Role of Mindfulness Practices in Nutrition for Mothers and Their Children. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/
1559827619866815. - Townsend Ing, C., Antonio, M., Ahn, H. J., Cassel, K., Dillard, A., Kekauoha, B. P., & Kaholokula, J. K. (2019). An examination of the relationship between discrimination, depression, and hypertension in Native Hawaiians. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 10(3), 249-257. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/
aap0000151. - Kaholokula, J. K., Antonio, M. C. K., Ing, C. K. T., Hermosura, A., Hall, K. E., Knight, R., & Wills, T. A. (2017). The effects of perceived racism on psychological distress mediated by venting and disengagement coping in Native Hawaiians. BMC Psychology, 5, 2. http://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-
017-0171-6. - Antonio, M. C. K., Hyeong, J. A., Townsend Ing, C., Dillard, A., Cassel, K., Kekauoha, B. P., Kaholokula, J. K. (2016). Self-reported experiences of discrimination and depression in Native Hawaiians. Hawai'i Journal of Medicine & Public Health, 75,9, 266-272. PMID: 27688952.
Jinan Banna , PhD, RD
Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal SciencesCollege of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Email: jcbanna@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Nutrition education, program evaluation, community nutrition, child and adolescent nutrition.
Recent 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 CenterSchool of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology (SOEST) – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Email: mberry@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Selenoproteins and selenium metabolism. Roles in neurological disease and metabolic syndrome.
Recent Publications
- Ogawa-Wong AN, Hashimoto AC, Ha H, Pitts MW, Seale LA, Berry MJ. Sexual Dimorphism in the Selenocysteine Lyase Knockout Mouse. Nutrients 2018 Jan. 10(2).
- Gong T, Torres DJ, Berry MJ, Pitts MW. Hypothalamic redox balance and leptin signaling - Emerging role of selenoproteins. Free Radic Biol Med. 2018 Nov 1;127, 172-181. PMC6123311 [IF 6.02]
- Torres DJ, Pitts MW, Hashimoto AC, Berry MJ. Agrp-specific ablation of Scly protects against diet-induced obesity and leptin resistance. 2019. Jul 23;11(7). Pii: E1693. doi: 10.3390/nu11071693. PMC6682868 [IF 4.6]
- Seale LA, Khadka VS, Menor M, Xie G, Watanabe LM, Sasuclark L, Guirguis K, Ha HY, Hashimoto AC, Peplowska K, Tiirikainen M, Jia W, Berry MJ, Deng Y. Combined Omics Reveals That Disruption of the Selenocysteine Lyase Gene Affects Amino Acid Pathways in Mice. 2019 Oct 26;11(11). pii: E2584. PMC6893568.
Recent Grants
- R01 DK47320-24, NIH/NIDDK (Berry MJ, PI) 4/17 – 3/21, Mechanism of selenoprotein synthesis.
- U54 MD007601, NIH/NIMHD (Hedges J, Mokuau N, PIs) 09/17 - 06/22, Ola Hawaii. Goals are to support, strengthen and diversify the basic biomedical, behavioral, clinical and community research workforce and thinkforce engaged in the science of minority health and health disparities.
Jean Butel , PhD
Jr ResearcherDepartment of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Phone: 808-956-4124 Work Email: jbutel@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Community Nutrition, Community Engagement
Recent Publications
- 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
- Butel, J., Braun, K., Nigg, C., Davis, J., Boushey, C., Leon-Guerrero, R., Bersamin, A., Coleman, P., Fleming, T., Novotny, R. (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.
- Butel, J., Braun, K., Nigg, C., Davis, J., Boushey, C., Leon-Guerrero, R., Bersamin, A., Coleman, P., Fleming, T., Novotny, R. (2019) Estimating Intervention Dose Of The Multilevel Multisite Children’s Healthy Living Program Intervention Translational Behavioral Medicine. DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibz073
Monica Esquivel , PhD, RDN, CSSD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Phone: 808-956-8691 Personal Email: monicake@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
child health, food security, food access
Recent Publications
- 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. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(24):16682. doi:10.3390/ijerph192416682
- Esquivel MK, Aflague TF, Yamanaka AB, et al. Children’s Dietary Intake by Early Care and Education Setting in the US Affiliated Pacific. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2023.03.002
- 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. doi:10.1007/s00520-023-07663-0
- Esquivel MK, Higa A, Hitchens M, Shelton C, Okihiro M. Keiki Produce Prescription (KPRx) Program Feasibility Study to Reduce Food Insecurity and Obesity Risk. Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2020;79(5 Suppl 1):44-49.
Recent Grants
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences- Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) P20, Integrative Center for Precision Nutrition and Human Health. Role: Research project leader/Junior investigator for community clinical trial- Keiki Produce Prescriptions
- Partners in Excellence for Leadership in MCH Nutrition. Health Resources & Services Administration- Maternal & Child Health, MCH Workforce Development (grant no T79MC00013)
- Traditional and New Lifestyle Interventions for Breast Cancer Prevention (TANICA). Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity (National Cancer Institute, Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, grant numbers U54CA143727 and U54CA143728 PIs Neal Palafox, Randall Holcombe, Rachael Leon Guerrero, Margaret Hattori-Uchima) Pre Pilot award
- Career Development Support for R21- like project, “Farmacy Pediatric Produce Prescription for Food Insecurity and Health Disparities.” Supported by Ola HAWAII infrastructure (NIH NIMHD U54MD007601 PIs Jerris Hedges and Norren Mokuau)
Current Graduate Students
- Brittany Gallardo- MS Nutritional Sciences RDN Concentration
- Michael Yanos- MS Nutritional Sciences RDN Concentration
- Andrea Cesarek- MS Nutritional Sciences RDN Concentration
- Bernice Delos Reyes- MS Nutritional Sciences, Lifestyle interventions for breast cancer risk reduction among Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and CHamoru women
- Hannah Shai- PhD Nutritional Sciences, Children's Healthy Living Program Food Systems Resiliency
- Cherese Shelton- PhD Nutritional Sciences, Nutrition Education for Keiki Produce Prescription Programs
- Michelle Lewis- PhD Nutritional Sciences, Breast milk sharing practices; benefits for breast cancer patients
Bradley (Kai) Fox , PhD
Aquaculture Extension Specialist and Project and Partner Coordinator, Center for Sustainable Aquaculture and Coastal ResourcesUniversity of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
Work Phone: 808-291-2623 Work Email: bradleyf@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Current aspects of aquaculture species of importance to community and commercial interests in Hawai‘i and the United States Affiliated Pacific Islands.
Recent 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
Adrian Franke , PhD
Director, Analytical Biochemistry Shared Resource and Professor, Natural Products and Experimental Therapeutics ProgramUniversity of Hawai‘i Cancer Center- University of Hawaii at Manoa
Work Phone: 808.586.3008 Work Email: adrian@cc.hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Development of biomarkers reflecting exposure to vegetarian foods, pharmacokinetics of chemopreventive micronutrients, development of state-of-the-art analytical techniques to determine metabolites in biological matrices.
Recent Publications
- Franke AA, Custer LJ, Morrison CM, Li X, Lai JF. (2013).Simultaneous analysis of circulating 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D2, retinol, tocopherols, carotenoids, and oxidized and reduced coenzyme Q10 by HPLC with photo diode-array detection using C18 and C30 columns alone or in combination.J Chromatogr, 1301, 1-9 A.
- Franke AA, Lai JF, Morrison CM, Pagano I, Li X, Halm BM, Soon Rand Custer LJ. (2013).Coenzyme Q10, carotenoid, tocopherol, and retinol levels in cord plasma from multiethnic subjects in Hawaii. Free Radic Res, 47(9), 757-768.
Recent Grants
- U54 NCI. Identification of biomarkers in saliva for betel nut consumption. 07/01/13 – 06/30/14
- PO1 NIH/NCI. Project 1:nutritional, biochemical, and hormonal predictors. Obesity, body fat distribution and cancer risk in the multiethnic cohort. 04/01/012-03/31/17
- R01 NIH/NCI. Urinary Isoflavonoids and Stroke Risk in Chinese Women. 02/01/11-01-31/14
Yanghua “Sunny” He , PhD
Assistant ProfessorCollege of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Phone: 808-956-7090 Work Email: yanghua.he@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
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 Publications
1. Guanjue Xiang, Xi He, Belinda M. Giardine, Kathryn J. Weaver,…, Amber Miller, Qian Qi, Yanghua He, Yichao Li, Jens Lichtenberg, …, Mitchell J. Weiss, Yong Cheng, Gerd A. Blobel, David Bodine, Yu Zhang, Qunhua Li, Shaun Mahony, Ross C. Hardison. Cross-species regulatory landscapes and elements revealed by novel joint systematic integration of human and mouse blood cell epigenomes. bioRxiv: MS ID#: BIORXIV/2023/535219. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.04.02.535219. 2. 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. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1168150 3. Jingyue Ellie Duan, Jicai Jiang, Yanghua He*. Editorial: Bridging (Epi-) Genomics and Environmental Changes: The Livestock Research. Front. Genet. 2022, 13:961232. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2022.961232 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. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txac064.Current Graduate Students
Current Graduate Students (Chair)- Mandeep Adhikari, (PhD, MBBE home): beef GWAS
- Natalie Deans, (MS, HNFAS home): beef metagenomics
- Jacey Mitchell (Undergraduate, Molecular Cell Biology): cattle heat-stress
- Franchesca Mojorovich (Undergraduate, HNFAS home): aquaculture
Kacie K.H.Y. Ho , PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Phone: (808) 956-8286 Work Email: kacieho@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Bioactive compounds, bioavailability, food structuring, colloids for nutrient and bioactive stabilization or delivery
Recent Publications
- 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.
- Li, G., Cao, Z., Ho, K. K.H.Y., & Zuo, Y. Y. (2022). Quantitative determination of the hydrophobicity of nanoparticles. Analytical Chemistry, 94, 4, 2078-2086. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04172
- 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
Rajesh Jha , PhD
Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal SciencesCollege of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Email: rjha@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Monogastric Animal Nutrition. Gut Heath and Physiology, Feed and Feed Additive Evaluation.
Recent Publications
- Das. P. Mishra, and R. Jha (2021). In ovo feeding as a tool for improving performance and gut health of poultry: a review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8:754246.
- Singh, B. Mishra, M. R. Bedford, and R. Jha (2021). Effect of supplemental xylanase and xylooligosaccharides on production performance and gut health variables of broiler chickens. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 12:98.
- Yadav, K. D. Caliboso, J. E. Nanquil, J. Zhang, H. Kae, K. Neupane, B. Mishra, and R. Jha (2021). Cecal microbiome profile of Hawaiian feral chickens and pasture-raised broiler (commercial) chickens determined using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Poultry Science, 100:101181.
- 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.
- Jha, R. Das, S. Oak, and P. Mishra (2020). Probiotics (Direct-fed microbials) in poultry nutrition and their effects on nutrient utilization, growth and laying performance, and gut health: A systematic review. Animals, 10(10):1863.
Current Graduate Students (Chair)
- Razib Das (PhD, HNFAS home): Nutritional Sciences
- Pravin Mishra (PhD, HNFAS home): Animal Sciences
Soojin Jun , PhD
Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal SciencesCollege of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Email: soojin@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Emerging food processing and packaging technologies, Food nanotechnologies, and Biosensors.
Recent Publications
- Lee, S.H., Yamada, K., and Jun. S. 2013. Ultraviolet Radiation Assisted with Ohmic Current for Microbial Inactivation in Apple Juice. Transactions of the ASABE 56(3): 1085-1091.
- Nguyen, L.T., Choi W., Lee, S.H., Jun, S. 2013. Exploring the Heating Patterns of Multiphase Foods in a Continuous Flow, Simultaneous Microwave and Ohmic Combination Heater. Journal of Food Engineering 116(1): 65-71.
- Lu, L. Chee, G., Yamada, K., and Jun, S. 2013. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic technique with a functionalized microwire sensor for rapid detection of foodborne pathogens. Biosensors and Bioelectronics 42: 492-495.
Recent Grants
- 2013, USDA/NIFA, AFRI, Novel Freezing Technique using Combined Pulsed Electric and Magnetic Fields to Maintain the Qualities of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
- 2009, USDA-AFRI, Development of Combined Continuous-Flow Microwave and Pulsed Ohmic Heating Technologies for Rapid and Uniform Heating of Multiphase Foods.
Current Graduate Students (Chair)
- Natthakan Rungraeng (PhD, MBBE home): Food nanotechnology
- Seung Hyun Lee (PhD, MBBE home): Food processing
- Jin Hong Mok (MS, HNFAS home): Food freezing
- Kara Yamada (MS, HNFAS home): Biosensor
- Inae Lee (PhD, MBBE home): Food nanotechnology
- Tim Shafel (MS, HNFAS home): Food processing and chemistry
Yong Soo Kim , PhD, MS
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Science, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Email: ykim@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Improving animal growth performance and carcass composition, myostatin as potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, meat quality characteristics of locally produced forage-finished beef, innovative ways to improve the marketability of low-value cuts of the forage-finished carcasses.
Recent Publications
- S.B. Lee, R. Choi, S.K. Park, and Y.S. Kim. 2014. Production of bioactive chicken follistatin315 in Escherichia coli. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 98:10041- 10051.
- W.Y. Haq, S.K. Kang, S.B. Lee, H.C. Kang, Y.J. Choi, C.N. Lee and Y.S. Kim. 2013. High-level soluble expression of porcine myostatin propeptide in Escherichia coli. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 97(19):8517-27.
- Sang Beum Lee, Jeong Hwan Kim, Hyung-Joo Jin, Il Shik Shin, and Yong Soo Kim, 2013. Highyield expression and purification of bioactive flatfish (Paralichthys olivaceus) myostatin-1 prodomain in Escherichia coli, American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology 8 (3):195-201.
Current Graduate Students (Chair)
- Dong Hyuck Choi, MS in Molecular Biosciences and Biosystem’s Engineering (MBBE) (Spring 2012 – current)
- Arthur Wong, PhD in MBBE (Fall 2010 –current)
Iris Fumiko Kimura , PhD, AT.Ret, PT
ProfessorMedical Microbiology, and Pharmacology Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine- University of Hawaii at Manoa
Work Phone: 808.692.1313
Recent Publications
- Kocher, MH, Oba, Y, Kimura, IF, Stickley, CD, Morgan,CR, & Hetzler, RK. Allometric Grip Strength Norms for American Children. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. (2019) Aug:33(8):2251-2261.
- Oba, Y., Gomyo, K., Stickley, CD., Tamura, K., Kimura, IF., & Hetzler, RK. Effects of Recovery Wear on Heart Rate Variability Following The Wingate Anaerobic Test, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Submitted.
- Kocher, MH., McDermott, M., Lindsey, R., Shikuma,CM., Gerschenson, M., Chow DC, Kohorn LB, Hetzler RK., Kimura IF (2017) HIV Patient Systemic Mitochondrial Respiration Improves With Exercise. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 2017 Jun 20.
Recent Grants
- Kimura,IF PhD, PT, ATC (2019-2024) Principle Investigator Graduate Assistantship Grants
Current Graduate Students
- Dean, Logan Skyler. Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, & Pharmacology (TRMM)
- Sewell, Sadie. Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences (HNFAS)
Kate Larson , PhD
Affiliate Graduate FacultyDepartment of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Email: klarson7@hawaii.edu Personal Email: kate.claycombe@gmail.com
Research Interests
Nutritional Immunology, Nutritional Epigenetics, Maternal Dietary Effects on Offspring Obesity, and Indigenous Diet and Inflammatory Diseases.
Recent Publications
- Claycombe-Larson KJ, Bundy AN, Kuntz T, Hur J, Yeater KM, Casperson S, Brunelle DC, Roemmich JN., Effect of a maternal high-fat diet with vegetable substitution on fetal brain transcriptome, J Nutr Biochem. 2022 Oct;108:109088. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.109088
- Claycombe-Larson K, Singh B, Bundy AN, Brunelle D, Bukowski MR, Roemmich JN, J Nutr Biochem. 2022 Oct 13;114:109162. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.109162.
- Bukowski MR, Singh BB, Roemmich JN, Claycombe-Larson KJ, Lipidomic Analysis of TRPC1 Ca2+-Permeable Channel-Knock Out Mouse Demonstrates a Vital Role in Placental Tissue Sphingolipid and Triacylglycerol Homeostasis Under Maternal High-Fat Diet., Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Mar 10;13:854269. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.854269.
- Claycombe-Larson KJ, Bundy A, Lance EB, Darland DC, Casperson SL, Roemmich, J., Postnatal exercise protects offspring from high-fat diet-induced reductions in subcutaneous adipocyte beiging in C57Bl6/J mice, J Nutr Biochem. 2022 Jan;99:108853. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108853.
- Crouse MS, Caton JS, Claycombe-Larson KJ, Diniz WJS, Lindholm-Perry AK, Reynolds LP, Dahlen CR, Borowicz PP, Ward AK, Epigenetic Modifier Supplementation Improves Mitochondrial Respiration and Growth Rates and Alters DNA Methylation of Bovine Embryonic Fibroblast Cells Cultured in Divergent Energy Supply. Front Genet. 2022 Feb 24;13:812764. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2022.812764.
Recent Grants
- NIH COBRE, Historical trauma and resilience as a biological state and its association with the effects of the traditional Indigenous food chokeberry, UND, 2021-2026, Co-Investigator
- NIH COBRE, Stress and Health in American Indian Pregnancies, UND, 2021-2026, Co-Investigator
- USDA Agricultural Research Service Project #3062-51000-054-00D, 2019-2024, PI
- USDA NIFA, Maternal Nutrition, Epigenetic Modifiers, And Programming Of Fetal Organ Development In Beef Cattle, 2019-2014, Collaborator
- NIH COBRE Epigenomics of Development and Disease, UND, 2019-2024, Collaborator
- USDA NIFA, Synergistic effects of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and anthocyanins in inflammation-associated obesity and insulin resistance, 2018-2023, Consultant
- USDA Agricultural Research Service Project #3062-51000-052-00D, 2014-2019, PI
Janet Latner , PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Psychology, College of Social Sciences- University of Hawaii at Manoa
Work Email: jlatner@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Improving the scientific understanding of obesity and eating disorders and developing methods of relieving the significant disability, stigma, and impairment associated with these conditions
Recent Publications
- Durso, L. E., Latner, J. D., & Hayashi, K. (2012). Perceived discrimination is associated with binge eating in a community sample of non-overweight, overweight, and obese adults.Obesity Facts, 5(6), 869-880.
- Ebneter, D. S., & Latner, J. D. (in press). A comparison of stigma and causal beliefs across eating disorders, obesity and major depressive disorder. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.
- Latner, J. D., & Ciao, A. C. (in press). Weight-loss history as a predictor of obesity treatment outcome: Prospective, long-term results from group behavioral, self-help treatment. Journal of Health Psychology.
Cancer Epidemiology ProgramUniversity of Hawai‘i Cancer Center – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Email: loic@cc.hawaii.edu
Research Interests
The interactions between genetic and lifestyle factors responsible for the cancer risk differences that exist among ethnic/racial groups in Hawaii and California, with the goal of advancing our understanding of the causes, mechanisms and prevention of cancer.
Recent Publications
- Wang H…Le Marchand L. (2014). Trans-ethnic genome-wide association study of colorectal cancer identifies a new susceptibility locus in VTI1A. Nat Commun. 2014 Aug 8;5:4613. doi: 10.1038/ncomms5613. This is a modified citation.
- Park SL…Le Marchand L. (2014). Pleiotropic Associations of Risk Variants Identified for Other Cancers With Lung Cancer Risk: The PAGE and TRICL Consortia. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2014 Apr 1;106(4):dju061. doi: 10.1093/jnci/dju061. Epub 2014 Mar 28. This is a modified citation.
- Cheng I…Le Marchand* L. (2013). Pleiotropic effects of genetic risk variants for other cancers on colorectal cancer risk: PAGE, GECCO and CCFR consortia. Gut. 2013 Aug 9. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-305189. [Epub ahead of print] *Co-senior author. This is a modified citation.
Recent Grants
- L. Le Marchand, C. Henderson, L. Wilkens, MPIs, UM1 CA164973, National Cancer Institute, "Understanding Ethnic Differences in Cancer: The Multiethnic Cohort Study" 2012–2017.
- L. Le Marchand, PI. P01 CA169530, National Cancer Institute, "Obesity, Body Fat Distribution and Cancer Risk in the Multiethnic Cohort" 2012–2017.
- L. Le Marchand, PI of subcontract, (Haile/Lindor/Jenkins, MPIs), U01 CA167551, National Cancer Institute, "The Colon Cancer Family Registry Cohort" 2012–2016.
- C. Haiman/L. Le Marchand, MPIs, National Human Genome Research Institute, "Epidemiology of Putative Causal Variants in the Multiethnic Cohort" 2013-2017.
Mi-Jeong Lee , PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Email: leemj7@hawaii.edu
Rachael Leon Guerrero , PhD, RDN, LD
DirectorOffice of Research and Sponsered Programs – University of Guam
Work Email: rachaeltlg@triton.uog.edu
Recent Publications
- Leon Guerrero RT, Novotny R, Wilkens LR, Chong M, White KK, Shvetsov YB, Buyum A, Badowski G, Blas-Laguana M. Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in the Breast Cancer Risk Model study of Guam and Saipan. Cancer Epidemiology. 2017; 50PB:221-223. DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2017.04.008 (PMCID: PMC5682949)
- Matanane L, Silva J, Li F, Leon Guerrero RT, Novotny R, Barber R, Fialkowski M. “Para I Famagu’onTa”: Fruit And Vegetable Intake, Food Store Environment, And Childhood Overweight/Obesity In The Children’s Healthy Living Program On Guam. Hawaii J Med & Pub Health. 2017;76(8): 225-233. (PMCID: PMC5551277)
- Novotny R, Li F, Wilkens L, Fialkowski M, Fleming T, Coleman P, Leon Guerrero R, Bersamin A, and Deenik J. 2017. Economic Influences on Child Growth Status, from the Children’s Healthy Living Program in the US-Affiliated Pacific Region. ADBI Working Paper 698. Tokyo: Asian Development Bank Institute. Available: https://www.adb.org/publications/economic-influences-child-growth-status
- Yonemori KM, Ennis T, R Novotny, Fialkowski MK, Ettienne R, Wilkens LR, Leon Guerrero RT, Bersamin A, Coleman P, Li F, Boushey CJ. Collecting wrappers, labels, and packages to enhance accuracy of food records among children 2–8 years in the Pacific region: Children’s Healthy Living Program (CHL). Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 2017;64:112-118. DOI:doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2017.04.012. (PMCID: PMC5792074)
Qing X. Li , PhD
ProfessorDepartment of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Phone: 808.956.2011 Work Email: qingl@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Alzheimer’s, Anti-obesity, Agricultural chemistry, Phytopharmaceuticals, Proteomics
Recent 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. 2022Current Graduate Students (Chair)
- Chelsea Miller (PhD, Molecular biosciences and bioengineering), Alzheimer’s drug discovery
- Kandria Driskill (MS, Molecular biosciences and bioengineering), Coral bleaching
Yong Li , PhD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Email: liyong@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
Food Microbiology, novel microbial detection methods, sanitation techniques, natural antimicrobials, probiotics, prebiotics and gut health
Recent 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 Journal of Food Science 76:M234-237.
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 (Chair)
- Lianger Dong (PhD Nutritional Sciences)
- Biyu Wu (PhD Nutritional Sciences)