UH faculty honored for excellence in teaching and research

University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents' Medal for Excellence

The University of Hawaiʻi honored some of its top faculty for their dedication and innovation in educating students and cutting-edge research.

Fourteen UH faculty members from across the state have been awarded the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching, and three received the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research.

In addition, five UH teachers have been recognized with the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. An assistant professor at Kapi‘olani Community College has won the Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Vocational Education.

“Our amazing, committed, innovative, resilient and compassionate University of Hawai‘i faculty are some of the best in the world,” said UH President David Lassner. “We honor their outstanding work to prepare our students, address global challenges and improve our communities throughout the islands. Even in these difficult times, their remarkable efforts help the entire University of Hawaiʻi contribute to a better future for all of us together.”

The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes faculty who exhibit an extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness and creativity, and personal values beneficial to students, was awarded to:

• Andrew Akana, instructor, Emergency Medical Services Department, Kapi‘olani Community College

• Roger Babcock, Jr., professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UH Mānoa

• Charlotte Frambaugh-Kritzer, professor, College of Education, UH Mānoa

• Alexander Mawyer, associate professor, Center for Pacific Island Studies, UH Mānoa

• Jeffrey M. Mexia, assistant professor, English, Kaua‘i Community College

• Teena Michael, instructor, botany/microbiology, Windward Community College

• Kirsten Mollegaard, professor, English, UH Hilo

• Alison Nugent, assistant professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, UH Mānoa

• David Panisnick, professor, religion, Honolulu Community College

• Stanley Kīʻope Raymond, professor, Hawaiian studies, UH Maui College

• Kathleen M. Sands, professor, Department of American Studies, UH Mānoa

• John Signor, associate professor, music, Leeward Community College

• Grieg F. Steward, professor, Department of Oceanography, UH Mānoa

• Kamuela Yong, assistant professor, mathematics, UH West O‘ahu

For the bios of each recipient: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/05/18/bor-excellence-in-teaching-2020/

The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research, which recognizes a faculty member’s scholarly contributions that expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of all in the community, nation and the world, was awarded to:

• Daniel Huber, assistant astronomer, Institute for Astronomy, UH Mānoa

• Qing Li, professor, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, UH Mānoa

• Mari Yoshihara, professor, Department of American Studies, UH Mānoa  

For the bios of each recipient: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/05/18/bor-excellence-in-research-2020/

The Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching recognizes dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and UH Mānoa for 19 years. This year’s awardees are:

• John H. R. Burns, assistant professor, marine science, UH Hilo

• Sabrina Diemert, graduate assistant, civil and environmental engineering, UH Mānoa

• Jason Kenji Higa, assistant professor, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, UH Mānoa

• Audrey Mendoza, assistant professor, speech, Windward Community College

• Rosemary Vierra, associate professor, dental hygiene, UH Maui College

For the bios of each recipient: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/05/18/frances-davis-award-2020/

The Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Vocational Education rewards outstanding achievement and significant contribution to vocational and technical education by a community college faculty member or student. The award was established by family members to honor the namesakes’ role in development of the food industry in Hawai‘i. This year's winner is:

• Kawehi Sellers, assistant professor, hospitality and tourism education, Kapi‘olani Community College

 For more on Sellers: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/05/18/sellers-kunimoto-memorial-award/