The 2025 UH Mānoa Awards Ceremony will honor its 2025 student, faculty, and staff recipients for excellence in teaching, research, and service on Monday, April 28, at 3:30 p.m. at Kennedy Theatre. Doors will open at 3 p.m.
The ceremony will also be livestreamed on this page and available for future viewing.
- Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching
- Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research
- Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
- Robert W. Clopton Award for Distinguished Community Service
- Presidential Citation for Meritorious Teaching
- Presidential Award for Outstanding Service
- Jean Takamura Staff Excellence Award
- Peter V. Garrod Distinguished Graduate Mentoring Award
- Outstanding Academic Advisor / Advising Unit Award
- OVPRS Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research & Creative Work
- Student Excellence in Research Award
- Student Employee of the Year Award
Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching
The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching is awarded by the Board of Regents as tribute to faculty members who exhibit an extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness and creativity and personal values that benefit students.
Mapuana Antonio
Mapuana Antonio is an associate professor of public health at the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health. A Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) professor, Antonio is committed to “helping students become responsible and contributing members of society by embracing their own kuleana (responsibility) to their beloved communities.” As the head of the Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health program in the Department of Public Health Sciences, she integrates the six major dimensions of Native Hawaiian wellbeing into her teaching: Ea (self-determination), ʻĀina Momona (healthy lands and people), Pilina (mutually sustaining relationships), ʻŌiwi (cultural identity and native intelligence), Waiwai (shared and collective wealth; ancestral abundance) and Ke Akua Mana (spirituality and the sacredness of mana). These principles guide her course activities and assignments, which emphasize cultural knowledge and community. One student described Antonio as “an amazing resource and an extremely organized professor,” and her teaching creates “an inclusive classroom environment that allows for students to thrive.”
Mathew Cain
Mathew Cain is an associate professor of chemistry in the College of Natural Sciences. He believes that “successful teaching hinges on effort and patience” and emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and student feedback “to assess how to make the class better.” Cain’s dedication to helping students grasp advanced chemistry content has made an impact, as reflected in a student’s comment: “Kudos to Dr. Cain for making such advanced topics into digestible content.” Whether it’s recording Zoom answer keys or creating a YouTube channel to cover challenging topics, Cain’s efforts inspire his students to invest more into their learning. With years of teaching experience, Cain understands that patience is key and knows how to help students stay calm and focused, encouraging them to work as hard as possible to fully grasp the material. Ultimately, Cain views his role as a teacher through the lens of helping students achieve their personal and professional goals, which he believes is “the ultimate job of a teacher.”
Mehana Kaʻiama Makaʻinaʻi
Mehana Kaʻiama Makaʻinaʻi is an instructor at the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies in the Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge. Having taught Hawaiian Studies 107 for nearly two decades, she views it as an opportunity to raise awareness about Hawaiian culture, history and modern political issues. The course, a popular general education elective, attracts students from diverse backgrounds, from freshmen to seniors. Kaʻiama embraces the challenge of teaching such a broad range of students and aims to inspire them to critically analyze topics while exploring ways to protect and respect the islands and their host culture. With a strong emphasis on ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge and history), she encourages students to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity to treat all cultures with respect. One student reflected, “The class was an incredibly enriching experience. The content was presented in an engaging way that promoted deep understanding and involvement.”
Hannah Manshel
Hannah Manshel is an assistant professor of English in the College of Arts, Languages & Letters. She encourages students to approach learning as a project of inquiry. Drawing inspiration from author and Professor Kyla Wazana Tompkins’s motto, “We Aren’t Here to Learn What We Already Know,” she fosters curiosity through community and connection in her classes. Manshel sustains student interest with a variety of teaching and assessment strategies, including whole-class discussions, student presentations, Slack message boards and portfolios with meta-cognitive reflections. She emphasizes deep engagement with course content while also addressing contemporary events. As she notes, “the connections students make between historical material, current events, and their everyday lives create an opportunity for them to cultivate community both within the classroom and beyond.” Her students describe feeling “intellectually challenged,” “allowed… so much creative freedom,” and fully supported in all her classes, reflecting her kindness and teaching expertise.
Masaru Mito
Masaru Mito is a Japanese language instructor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at the College of Arts, Languages & Letters. He believes that “language learning goes beyond acquiring vocabulary—it is a journey of personal growth, empathy and meaningful communication.” Mito emphasizes “real-world interactions” and utilizes “authentic materials from diverse sources” to provide students with ample opportunities to practice their skills with cultural accuracy and purpose. He integrates critical thinking and digital literacy to enhance students’ competencies. His students attest to his success in accomplishing his mission “to help students find happiness within themselves and bring joy to others by fostering cross-cultural language learning and developing interpersonal relationships.” One student noted that “the most valuable aspect of the course was Mito sensei.” Another student praised him as “the best Japanese teacher,” adding, “You deserve the best to come, I see nothing but your genuine love to teach people Japanese, and hope your next set of students treat you right.”
Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio
Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio is an associate professor in political science at the College of Social Sciences. As a Kanaka Maoli wahine (Native Hawaiian woman) scholar educator born and raised in Pālolo Valley, her teaching is grounded in “an aloha ʻāina pedagogy,” with a strong ethic of care and trust. She inspires students to engage passionately and morally with Indigenous politics, while also dedicating herself to mentorship. Osorio has mentored dozens of undergraduate and graduate students across multiple disciplines, including American studies, women, gender, and sexuality studies, English, Pacific Island studies, Hawaiian studies, Hawaiian language, law, business and planning. Osorio’s influence extends beyond her department. Her mentorship and contributions as a Native Hawaiian scholar and educator make her an exemplary member of the campus community. As one colleague notes, “Our students and our university are incredibly fortunate to have her as a tenured associate professor, a Kanaka who represents an incomparable voice of her generation.”
Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research
The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research is awarded by the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents in recognition of scholarly contributions that expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of students and the community.
Sloan Coats
Sloan Coats is an assistant professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and an affiliate of the International Pacific Research Center at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. Coats joined UH Mānoa in November 2019 after holding postdoctoral and positions at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, as well as faculty roles at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. His research combines advanced statistical techniques, climate models and both observed and paleoclimatic data to investigate climate variability and change across timescales. A key aspect of Coats’s work is its interdisciplinary nature, reflected in his contributions to diverse fields such as glaciology and seismology. In addition to his research, Coats is a passionate advocate for the broader research community at UH. He co-directs the NSF-funded Earth Sciences on Volcanic Islands Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, which provides undergraduate students with hands-on research experience in Earth sciences.
Matthieu Dubarry
Matthieu Dubarry is an associate researcher at the Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. With more than 20 years of experience in renewable energy, he specializes in lithium-ion battery research. He joined HNEI in 2005 as a postdoctoral fellow, analyzing the usage data from a fleet of electric vehicles. He was appointed to the faculty in 2010, where he has focused on battery testing, modeling and simulation. Since 2014, Dubarry has led his own research group, supported by funding from both federal agencies and industry partners. He is recognized for pioneering data-driven techniques to non-destructively assess lithium-ion battery degradation. His work has produced a suite of software tools for predicting battery lifespan at both the cell and pack levels. His diagnostic model, ʻalawa—named for the Hawaiian word meaning “to diagnose with insight”—has earned global recognition and is used by universities and companies around the world.
Rick Kazman
Rick Kazman is the Danny and Elsa Lui Distinguished Professor of Information Technology Management at the Shidler College of Business. His research focuses on software architecture, analysis tools and technical debt. He helped develop several influential methods and tools, including the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method, Titan and DV8, which are widely used to evaluate and improve the structure and maintainability of software systems. Kazman has authored more than 250 publications, holds three patents and has written nine books, including Software Architecture in Practice, Technical Debt: How to Find It and Fix It and Designing Software Architectures: A Practical Approach. His work has been widely adopted by Fortune 1000 companies and cited more than 30,000 times, according to Google Scholar. A leading figure in his field, Kazman currently serves on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society’s Board of Governors. His contributions continue to shape industry best practices and advance the discipline of software engineering.
Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
The Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for a faculty member and a graduate assistant 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 the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for 19 years.
Colleen Rost-Banik
Colleen Rost-Banik is an instructor in the Department of Sociology in the College of Social Sciences. She sees the classroom as a reflection of society, shaped by the wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives students bring. Over the course of a semester, she believes students have a valuable opportunity to learn from one another and engage in collective exploration. Rost-Banik emphasizes the importance of consistent practice in understanding sociological concepts, encouraging students to develop their skills through reading, writing and critical thinking. She acknowledges that meaningful learning takes time, patience, effort—and often involves trial and error. Her courses also prioritize the values of care and community, which she believes are crucial to both the classroom and broader society. She believes supporting one another is key to success. Student feedback highlights the impact of her approach. One student shared that her class was “filled with lots of exciting information on different theories and sociological perspectives,” and helped them gain practical skills such as conducting surveys and analyzing visual information.
Sara Maaria Saastamoinen
Sara Maaria Saastamoinen is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science in the College of Social Sciences. She is also an exhibiting artist, abundant futures consultant and community organizer. Coming from a long line of Karelian teachers, she credits her family with inspiring her early passion for political inquiry and creative expression. Her courses explore topics such as the everyday politics of water and the societal sacrifices that sustain American political systems. Students nominated her for fostering creativity and inclusivity, encouraging expression through formats such as sculptures, short stories, mixtapes and monologues. “Sara’s commitment to deeper understanding challenged us to think critically about our choices and their broader implications for humans, the environment and other living beings,” one student wrote. Another shared, “I have never learned as much as I did in Sara’s class—it will positively affect the way I view things and the kind of person I am for the rest of my life.”
Robert W. Clopton Award for Distinguished Community Service
The Robert W. Clopton Award for Distinguished Community Service recognizes a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty member for playing a socially significant role by applying intellectual leadership and academic expertise toward the improvement of the community. The award was established as a memorial to longtime UH Mānoa College of Education Professor Robert Clopton and first awarded in 1977.
Maya Soetoro-Ng
Maya Soetoro-Ng, an associate specialist at the Matsunaga Institute for Peace in the College of Social Sciences, exemplifies international peacebuilding and academia in a culturally and communally connected way. She cultivates partnerships that bridge academic, local and international communities, ensuring that scholarship leads to tangible impact. Her efforts include building the Hawaiʻi Girls Opportunity Alliance network and co-founding the nonprofits Ceeds of Peace, The Peace Studio and The Institute for Climate and Peace. A colleague describes Soetoro-Ng as a “true social influencer” and “a leader who doesn’t just teach about peace and social justice—she lives these principles through her work, leading by example and motivating others to do the same.” Another colleague commends her leadership at the Matsunaga Institute for championing initiatives that integrate Indigenous knowledge, cultural understanding and collaborative problem solving. Through her dedication, Soetoro-Ng has empowered countless individuals and communities across Hawaiʻi and beyond, making her an invaluable member of both the campus and the local community.
Presidential Citation for Meritorious Teaching
The Presidential Citation for Meritorious Teaching recognizes University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty members who have made significant contributions to teaching and student learning.
Dean Domingo
Dean Domingo is an instructor in the Department of Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures in the College of Arts, Languages & Letters. Although teaching was not initially part of his plans, Domingo was drawn to Ilokano because it was “a language at home,” reflecting the experience of many Ilokano families whose children are disconnected from their heritage, including the language of their parents. After teaching a few classes, he discovered the “psychic reward” of teaching, finding fulfillment in seeing his students’ lives unfold through their writings and class discussions. Well-versed in language instruction, Domingo employs high-impact strategies such as game-based lessons, show-and-tell, roleplays and rubrics to create a meaningful classroom environment. Teaching Ilokano is a labor of love, and his students appreciate his passion for sharing Philippine culture, a key part of his own identity.
Jennifer Small Griswold
Jennifer Small Griswold is a professor and department chair in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. Small Griswold centers curiosity, integrity and collaboration in her teaching. Aware of the rapidly evolving scientific and technological landscape, she incorporates innovative techniques such as experiential learning, including phenomena-based scavenger hunts, and hands-on activities with big data. By incorporating programming languages like Python and MATLAB, she ensures students gain valuable skills that expand career opportunities and better position them to address pressing atmospheric and climate science challenges. Small Griswold has contributed to interdisciplinary teaching, creating a new Climate Science and Society undergraduate certificate program that bridges the gap between climate science and its applications in fields such as economics, policy, health and urban planning. As a first-generation college student, she has great empathy for her students, ensuring they feel seen and supported, whether in an introductory undergraduate course or a graduate seminar in meteorology.
Chad Miller
Chad Miller is a specialist in the School of Teacher Education in the College of Education. Practicing his own “philosopher’s pedagogy,” Miller positions himself as a participant in the learning process, valuing student perspectives and encouraging a slower, more deliberate and reflective approach to learning. In his classes, students aim to learn more about themselves, their peers, and the world, making their questions, beliefs and experiences the focus of study. Miller’s teaching centers on three main principles: cultivating a safe learning environment, developing a positive orientation toward confusion and providing time for philosophical reflection. His effectiveness and deep care for student success are evident in a student comment: “Dr. Miller models successful teaching strategies to support the development of students’ own teaching practices. He seems genuinely invested in the growth and improvement of his students.”
You-il (Chris) Park
You-il (Chris) Park is an associate professor in the School of Accountancy at the Shidler College of Business. He fosters a deep understanding of accounting concepts and practical skills, preparing students to analyze and address challenges faced by real-world firms. Park is intentional in his teaching, bridging theory with practice and emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork skills. His classes, which include group discussions, student presentations, case studies and examinations with personalized feedback, defy the conventions of typical accounting courses. Park’s teaching excellence is evident in his consistently outstanding course evaluations. One student wrote that he “was knowledgeable about the subject and showed that he really cared about students’ learning and future as accountants.” The student also appreciated how Park’s effective teaching strategies helped them “learn about teamwork and how to prepare professional presentations for future careers.”
Melissa Price
Melissa Price is an associate professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management in the College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resilience. As a wildlife management faculty member, Price strives to inspire students to believe they can tackle the immense challenges facing our planet, that their actions matter and that collaboration can drive meaningful change. She prioritizes the cultivation of professional identity, networks and vision, which is evident in the impressive record of undergraduate research publications under her supervision and alumni career success. Her innovative approach to teaching wildlife conservation is best summed up by a student comment: “This class took my dormant, creatively drained, cobwebby brain, put it in a jar of freshly made cold brew espresso and shook it screaming ‘TIME TO HAVE AN ORIGINAL THOUGHT.’…This course not only made me think, it shook me awake. It reminded me why I went into this field in the first place.”
Kaori Tamura
Kaori Tamura is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Education. Her goal is to help students develop a strong foundation to become knowledgeable, effective and caring allied healthcare professionals. While training students to provide patient-centered care, she actively helps them build confidence through simulation-based learning, preparing them for real-life work environments. Tamura’s accomplishments include collaborating with the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene and the Institute of Teacher Education to develop a Sports Concussion Injury Management program, launching a Virtual Athletic Training Faculty Series to connect students and faculty from various programs, and working with Ritsumeikan University in Japan to establish the Hawaiʻi International Athletic Training Education Clinic for Japanese athletic training students. Her students find her teaching incredibly engaging, easy to understand and enjoyable.
Presidential Award for Outstanding Service
The Presidential Award for Outstanding Service honors a UH Mānoa staff member who demonstrates outstanding work performance, service and leadership.
Administrative, Professional and Technical
Seung Yang
Seung Yang is the assistant director for the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). He works closely with campus leadership to expand undergraduate access to mentored research and creative work across all disciplines. Since joining UROP seven years ago, Yang has played a vital role in the program’s sustained growth through thoughtful, proactive outreach. His efforts have helped UROP award more than $5 million to more than 2,500 UH Mānoa students from 92 majors, working with 700+ mentors. Yang is credited with driving a 50% increase in student participation by expanding creative work opportunities, improving data collection and assessment, implementing a new online networking platform, and helping establish the annual OVPRS Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research and Creative Work. His commitment to innovation and student-centered support has strengthened UROP’s impact on student success. His supervisor noted, “[Yang] has been instrumental in this success, enhancing the UH Mānoa undergraduate experience and preparing students for engaged and successful lives well beyond our campus.”
Buildings and Grounds Management
John Gestrich
John Gestrich is the carpentry shops manager in Campus Operations and Facilities. He is responsible for supervising skilled carpenters and related personnel. Gestrich was recognized for his exceptional leadership, dedication and consistently positive spirit, along with his genuine care for colleagues and the university. Described as someone who “leads by example” and “goes out of his way to work with various departments,” Gestrich fosters collaboration across teams to keep the university running smoothly. His ability to build bridges among maintenance teams has helped “build synergy,” enabling cost savings, job completion and the sharing of skilled resources. Team members say they feel valued, respected and part of a strong unit. When asked about their positive mindset and responsiveness, they credited Gestrich’s leadership and his reminder to “do it for the students.” His tireless work ethic, willingness to share in demanding tasks and daily encouragement—given with little expectation other than to pay it forward—continue to inspire his team and improve student access to learning.
Civil Service
Marla Fergerstrom
Marla Fergerstrom is a farm manager in Hawaiʻi County for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR). She oversees the Kona, Lālāmilo and Mealani Research Stations. She has proudly served UH for more than 35 years, and is recognized as the only CTAHR employee with extensive experience in animal husbandry, providing 24/7 care for UH’s cattle herd. She ensures proper veterinary care, performs artificial insemination using improved genetics, assists with every birth and guarantees proper nutrition for a healthy herd. In addition to managing the cattle program, she handles grounds and vehicle maintenance, coordinates volunteers and works with principal investigators on plot allocations. Her work ethic is described as “beyond reproach,” and her strength, knowledge and dedication are unmatched—even among seasoned farmers and ranchers. Her efforts bring in more than $160,000 annually in cattle sales to support Mealani operations. A nominator shared, “Words cannot express the amount of respect I hold for her as a human being and an employee of UH, CTAHR.”
Faculty Specialist
Jennifer Frank
Jennifer Frank is a physician with University Health Services Mānoa. She has served UH for more than 40 years, and is recognized for her outstanding service, leadership and commitment to patient care. A respected and dedicated physician, Frank has consistently provided high quality medical services and promoted a healthier campus community. She has been a mentor and resource for navigating Hawaiʻi’s medical landscape. Her nominators highlighted her compassionate care of HIV/AIDS patients since the onset of the epidemic in the 1980s, and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, and preventive care in college health. Frank has served as a continuing education resource for medical professionals and stepped in to provide care when other providers could or would not. Her commitment is further reflected in the Jennifer Emma Frank Endowment, which supports the Family Medicine Residency program at the John A. Burns School of Medicine for young doctors dedicated to primary care and serving Hawaiʻi communities.
Jean Takamura Staff Excellence Award
The Jean Takamura Staff Excellence Award was established in 2024 to honor dedicated staff who demonstrate exceptional service and support their advancement. Created in honor of Jean Takamura, a longtime member of our business support team, the award reflects her enduring dedication to uplifting and empowering the university community.
Michele Inouchi
Michele Inouchi is an administrative officer in the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success. In this role, she oversees both fiscal and human resources responsibilities, drawing on more than two decades of dedicated service to the university. Inouchi started as a casual Secretary II in Athletics in 2001, joined the Athletics Business Office full-time in 2005, and became a fiscal specialist in the Vice Provost’s Office in 2016. She was promoted to fiscal specialist (senior) in 2021 for her expertise in managing complex budgets and procurements. She also served as the primary building coordinator for the Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services, where she improved signage and safety, and continues to support facilities as a backup coordinator. A 2019 graduate of the LEAP Advance Leadership Development Program, Inouchi is active in the Mānoa Staff Senate and volunteers regularly for campus events. Known for her “quiet but effective” approach, she is a valued resource and advocate for accessibility.
Roy Tom
Roy Tom is a machinist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Natural Sciences. With more than 57 years of service since joining in 1967, he has been a crucial part of the department, crafting components for pivotal research in radio communication, Antarctic expeditions and more. Tom’s work is showcased in the Foucault pendulum in Keller Hall, and he continues to assist cutting-edge research, in one case by fabricating containers for moon dust studies. Beyond his technical expertise, Tom has mentored the McKinley High School Robotics team since 2000, guiding them to a regional victory and participation in the World Championships. His long-term dedication, institutional knowledge and collaborative spirit have made him an invaluable asset to UH Mānoa. As he nears his 60th year of service, Tom’s contributions remain integral to the department and university.
Peter V. Garrod Distinguished Graduate Mentoring Award
Established by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Graduate Division in 2005, the Peter V. Garrod Distinguished Graduate Mentoring Award allows graduate students to nominate faculty for excellent mentoring, one of the foundations of outstanding graduate education.
Michael Liu
Michael Liu is an astronomer and the graduate chair at the Institute for Astronomy (IfA). He has been a faculty member since 2003. Originally from Washington, DC, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and his PhD from UC Berkeley. His research focuses on directly studying gas-giant exoplanets and brown dwarfs—celestial objects that bridge the gap between stars and planets—to discover new objects, analyze their physical properties, and understand how they form. Liu has authored or co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications and has mentored more than three dozen undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral researchers. He also leads IfA’s newest education initiative, TeachAstro, a summer workshop designed to support Hawaiʻi STEM teachers. Liu’s work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the UH Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research and fellowships from NASA, Sloan and others.
Outstanding Academic Advisor and Advising Unit of the Year
The Council of Academic Advisors recognizes an individual (Pakela Award) and unit (ʻOikela Award) who, over the past two years, has demonstrated excellence and/or innovation in advising, and/or has made a significant contribution to the advising community.
Pakela Award (Outstanding Academic Advisor)
Kenny Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan
Kenny Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan is the senior academic advisor (faculty specialist) in the Department of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS). He supports more than 800 students each year through student-centered and relational advising. Tasked with reshaping the department’s advising practices, he created a “one-stop” model that integrates academic and career guidance in a single, accessible space. He currently leads a team that includes graduate and undergraduate peer advisors. A strong advocate for incorporating career development into every advising interaction, Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan collaborates with student organizations and community partners to host a tech-focused career fair each semester. The Careers in Tech and Intelligence Fair connects ICS students with local employers and helps address Hawaiʻi’s workforce needs. Beyond his department, he chairs the Advising Outreach Committee and serves as a regional communication and social media coordinator for the National Academic Advising Association. As one student shared, “I believe Kenny deserves recognition for the loving and caring ICS community he built.”
ʻOikela Award for Outstanding Advising Unit
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience Academic Advising
The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) Academic Advising unit, led by Manager of Student Services Maile Sing, includes Academic Advisors Kayden Iwasaki, Irene Morrow and Jessica Stenstrom. Based in CTAHR’s Academic and Student Affairs Office, the team plays a vital role in promoting student success through academic planning, career development and personal growth. Their mission is to empower students to make informed decisions about their education while fostering critical thinking, self-efficacy and lifelong learning. Through personalized advising and resource referrals, they guide students in meeting degree requirements, selecting courses and engaging in experiential learning like internships and research. Collaboration is central to their work, as they partner with faculty and campus support offices to offer a holistic advising experience. By integrating advisors’ voices into the college’s academic administration, they can proactively advocate for student needs and support timely graduation. The team also embraces technology to improve access, offering virtual advising, degree audits and early alert systems to assist students who may be at risk.
OVPRS Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research & Creative Work
The Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship (OVPRS) Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research and Creative Work, established in 2020 by UH Mānoa’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, recognizes two mentors each year—one from a STEM field and one from a non-STEM field. The award honors those who have demonstrated sustained excellence in mentoring undergraduates and made a positive impact on their mentees’ academic or professional achievements through research or creative work.
Sladjana Prišić
Sladjana Prišić is an associate professor of microbiology in the School of Life Sciences. Her research at UH Mānoa focuses on zinc signaling and alternative ribosomes. Before joining UH, she conducted research on plant enzymes and tuberculosis pathogenesis in various academic and medical institutions. Originally from Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia), Prišić draws from her diverse background and international experiences, and brings a unique perspective to teaching and mentoring undergraduate students. Over the past decade, she has trained 55 undergraduates, including 19 UROP awardees and eight Honors students. Regardless of students’ career aspirations, she aims to equip them with transferable skills and confidence. Prišić adapts her mentorship style to each student’s needs, ensuring they are prepared for future challenges. As one student shared, “I went from knowing nothing about research to being comfortable leading my own project and writing papers. Dr. Prišić respects her undergraduates and gives us opportunities to take responsibility for our learning.”
Pei-Ling Kao
Pei-Ling Kao is an associate professor and dance undergraduate advisor in the Department of Theatre and Dance. She is a Taiwanese choreographer, performer and educator. Her research explores movement improvisation, choreography, bicultural and hybrid movement and interdisciplinary collaborations. Kao has received numerous accolades, including the Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching in 2022. Her mentoring philosophy focuses on empowering students to develop their artistic voice, cultivate curiosity and think critically. She ensures that students not only gain research competencies but also grow personally and professionally. Beyond technical guidance, Kao fosters mentorship built on care, mutual respect and trust, believing students thrive when they recognize their own potential. As one student shared, “I felt more secure in my ideas and choreography because my mentor instilled confidence in me and my work.”
Student Excellence in Research Award
The Student Excellence in Research Award is given by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Scholarship in recognition of outstanding scholarly research endeavors by students while they pursue a degree at the bachelor’s, masterʻs or doctoral level.
Aláine Fiona Lee
Aláine Lee is a senior undergraduate majoring in astrophysics with a minor in human spaceflight in the College of Natural Sciences. Her research interests are driven by the challenges of NASA’s mission science environment, and she aspires to be a leader in this field. She has contributed to preparatory science for missions measuring gravitational waves and studying cosmic evolution through space interferometry. Currently, Lee is focused on simulating direct collapse black holes in early universe conditions at NASA Goddard’s Gravitational Astrophysics Laboratory. Before joining UH Mānoa in 2021, she spent several years involved in conservation, ecology and open ocean sailing. Her academic interests span astrophysics, astronomy, planetary science and human spaceflight. She began her research career at UH after receiving funding from the Hawaiʻi Space Grant Consortium. Lee has worked as a research assistant throughout her degree at the UH Institute for Astronomy and the Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology. Her contributions include conference presentations, co-authored publications and involvement in developing a new minor in human spaceflight technology.
Kazuumi Fujioka
Kazuumi Fujioka is a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry. After earning a double major in chemistry and mathematics from UH Mānoa, he developed a strong interest in theoretical chemistry. His research focuses on creating simulation protocols that incorporate machine learning to study the dynamics of chemical reactions. His work has expanded the ability to study reactions under extreme conditions—ranging from the frigid environments of the interstellar medium to the intense heat inside rocket engines. The open-source software he developed is freely available and benefits the broader reaction dynamics community. Fujioka has published 15 peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals and has presented his research at multiple international conferences. In 2021, he was honored with the ARCS Foundation Award for excellence in research. “Kazuumi is an exceptional researcher whose creativity, technical expertise, and contributions to reaction dynamics simulations have advanced Computational Chemistry,” noted his nominator.
Nick Saunders
Nick Saunders is a PhD candidate at the UH Institute for Astronomy. His research focuses on the discovery and characterization of exoplanets—planets outside of our solar system—and the study of the stars that these planets orbit. Using data from ground-based observatories in Hawaiʻi and from NASA’s TESS space telescope, Saunders has led four first-author publications as part of his dissertation and made major contributions to an additional five publications, including the discovery of more than a dozen new exoplanets. His research has been recognized, and he has received an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship in 2021, an ARCS Scholar of the Year Award in 2023, and the Yale Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (YCAA) Postdoctoral Prize fellowship, which he will start in late 2025. His nominator stated: “Nick’s breadth and independence are exceptional for a graduate student, and his dissertation results will have a long-lasting impact on our understanding of planets outside our solar system.”
Student Employee of the Year Award
The Student Employee of the Year Program was created in 1986 by the Mānoa Career Center to recognize and highlight the achievements and contributions of student employees on the UH Mānoa campus.
Shayla Spotkaeff
Shayla Spotkaeff is an undergraduate research assistant at the Center for Oral History (COH) in the College of Social Sciences. A senior majoring in Business Management, she has been with the center since March 2022 and eagerly embraces opportunities. Spotkaeff’s work primarily involves transcribing interviews and training new student assistants. Her strong work ethic and attention to detail have had a significant impact on oral history projects and contributed consistently to the center’s efforts. Her commitment to COH’s mission of preserving the memories of kūpuna is evident in her work, the relationships she builds, and the community she helps foster among her COH peers. Her supervisor stated, “Shayla has been a core team member, contributing to several projects and helping onboard new students, both undergraduate and graduate.”