UHM Nursing making waves in nursing research with the HONU Scientists initiative

A new group is making a splash at UHM Nursing: The Hui to promote Opportunities for the development of Nurse (HONU) Scientists is an initiative launched by nursing faculty to encourage students to engage in nursing research. Launched in Spring 2024, HONU has been making waves by hosting multiple events featuring nursing scientists involved in innovative research topics of great importance to the nursing profession and overall health in Hawai‘i and beyond.

“The idea for HONU hatched from a collective recognition among our nursing research faculty of the need for a nurturing community where nursing students could gather with each other and  research faculty to cultivate mentoring relationships and interest in nursing research,” explained Dr. Gary Glauberman, Chair of the Department of Nursing. “We chose a sea turtle (honu in Hawaiian) to represent our group as it stands as a symbol of wisdom, perseverance, and a deep connection to the ocean and ‘āina.”

Dr. Samia Dutra, the current faculty advisor for the group, explains that “HONU encourages nursing students to learn more about nursing research by exposing them to nursing faculty who are engaged in research. We hope to inspire students to consider careers in science. Another major goal is to facilitate nursing students’ participation in UH Mānoa’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).” 

HONU’s inaugural cohort of students is comprised of four UROP-funded students who are engaged in nursing research and come from all levels of the nursing program, from freshman to seniors.

Samantha Xiao, a first-year nursing student, received $1,500 in funding this year through UROP’s Entering Research and Creative Work (ERC) award. “I was looking for a way to enhance my resume by joining a research project, and now I am being mentored by Drs Fontenot and Dutra. The research project I am involved in focuses on the age at which children should receive the HPV vaccine.” She is learning about how to carry out qualitative research, which ultimately has the goal of gaining a better understanding of factors contributing to decisions surrounding HPV prevention. Reflecting on her experience so far, Samantha said, “Engaging in this project has allowed me to develop both academically by enhancing my research skills and personally by improving my time-management abilities. One skill that I feel I may not have been able to gain in the traditional classroom setting is personal growth and being more independent.”

Aaron Ramirez, a first-year UHM Nursing student based at the UH West Oahu campus, also received $3000 in UROP ERC funding, and is being mentored by Drs May Okihiro, Samia Dutra, and Dr. Raphael Raphael. He is involved in research focused on increasing health equity for Native Hawaiian youth with disabilities. “I have taken an interest in centering my academic studies in Native Hawaiian Health and Indigenous Healing, which reinforced my belief in integrating cultural knowledge with intellectual inquiry,” says Aaron. “These experiences have inspired me to pursue further research that can have a transformative impact, using healthcare to improve well-being in underserved communities.”

Amber Wonelik is a senior in the nursing program. She received $10,000 in UROP Project funding (shared with her peer Malia Batungbacal, a junior Molecular Cell Biology major) to create a systematic literature review concerning the link between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The project will examine literature related to the effect of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on the gut microbiome. Amber says, “My academic and professional pursuits are driven by my commitment to advancing patient care and understanding of complex health conditions. The idea that the gut flora can impact symptoms aligns with my goals of understanding health conditions, and by exploring this link it will not only assist in my understanding but can lead to an exploration of new data and possibly new treatments.”

Nathan Ching is a junior pursuing his B.S. in the Nursing program who received $5,000 inUROP Project funding. Under the mentorship of Dr. Dutra and Dr. Takashi Matsui Lab at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, he is working on a research project that involves understanding how microplastics affect cardiac cell death. “With the continuing use of plastics and their re-emergence as microplastics, especially in Hawai‘i, the susceptibility and effects of microplastic infiltration of the body is an increasing concern,” Nathan explained. “I have a very deep interest in health science which is why I joined the Matsui Lab: to further understand how scientific research is done to expand the knowledge supporting health-care practices. This project is specifically important to me because I believe the environment is closely tied with human health, and producing results will provide me with possible insight on how very specific components of the environment can have large impacts on the health of populations,” Nathan stated.

HONU faculty have been excited to see how students’ projects involve multiple disciplines beyond nursing. Dr. Dutra commented, “I believe that establishing interdisciplinary partnerships that focus on the growth of students in research is a comprehensive, long-term strategy designed to significantly enhance their academic and professional success. By integrating diverse fields of study, we can cultivate a more enriching environment that empowers students to collaborate, innovate, and excel in their research endeavors.”