FELLOWS & PROJECTS

Dani’s research interests focus on the inclusion of local ecological and indigenous knowledge systems in fisheries science, and how these systems can uncover historical changes in fish population dynamics. Her current work employs a novel combination of local knowledge, catch data, and environmental DNA to understand changes in juvenile shark populations in an ecologically important nursery habitat.

FELLOW Danielle Bartz
PhD Candidate, Marine Biology Graduate Program, UH Mānoa
Member, Hawai’i Cooperative Fishery Research Unit

FACULTY SPONSOR Dr. Timothy Grabowski
Adjunct Associate Professor, Marine Science Department, UH Hilo; Marine Biology Graduate Program, UH Mānoa; and Unit Leader, Hawai‘i Cooperative Fishery Research Unit

PROJECT eDNA Filtration System allows for the simultaneous filtration of seawater in preparation for environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses to better address ecological questions in aquatic communities.

Jon’s research focuses on body composition and its association to disease risk. Utilizing knowledge of the available clinical and field body composition assessment techniques, Jon aims to refine technologies by improving their assessment accuracy, while identifying aspects more closely related to risk (or targets for intervention). He hopes to use his experience with diet and exercise to promote disease prevention and reduce the burden of disease across multiple conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer.

FELLOW Jonathan Bennett, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher, UH Cancer Center, UH Mānoa

FACULTY SPONSOR Dr. John Shepherd
Chief Scientific Officer and Professor, Epidemiology & Population Sciences, UH Cancer Center, UH Mānoa

PROJECT Body Composition Assessment Technology leverages highly effective obesity models to increase awareness and early detection and intervention of body composition risk factors for obesity

Suman’s research area focuses on the design and development of novel functional materials for energy conversion and storage applications. Having a Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences with emphasis in polymer nanocomposites processing and characterization, Suman has expertise in development of hybrid nanomaterial structures based on metal oxides/sulfides and chalcogenides.

FELLOW Suman Chhetri, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Mechanical Engineering, UH Mānoa

FACULTY SPONSOR Dr. Woochul Lee
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, UH Mānoa

PROJECT Innovative Desalination Technology through solar thermal conversion helps solve freshwater shortage issues and replace existing energy-intensive processes with sustainable, green technologies for water purification

Kaylee received her B.S. in Chemistry from Clemson University and her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Colorado State University. Currently at UH Manoa, she is a postdoctoral researcher in the Ray Research Group in the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. Her research efforts have broadly focused on the development of low-cost electrochemical sensors and fluidic devices for bioanalytical applications.

FELLOW Kaylee Clark, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Mechanical Engineering, UH Mānoa

FACULTY SPONSOR Dr. Tyler Ray
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, UH Mānoa, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

PROJECT A Wearable Sensor for Detecting Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault Drugs is a stylish and functional ring equipped with integrated sensors for personal detection of Rohypnol in beverages to mitigate drug-facilitated assaults

Carl’s research focuses on wastewater surveillance of respiratory and influenza viruses. He aims to develop new assays that improve the detection and quantification of these viruses, with a particular focus on using amplicon sequencing and bioinformatics to identify new variants. He obtained his Master’s degree in Earth Science & Environmental Engineering from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea, and his Bachelor’s degree in Biological and Environmental Chemistry from Chungnam National University in South Korea.

FELLOW Min Ki (Carl) Jeon
PhD Candidate, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UH Mānoa

FACULTY SPONSOR Dr. Tao Yan
Professor, Water Resources Research Center, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, UH Mānoa

PROJECT Novel Metagenomic Sequencing Technology rapidly characterizes influenza diversity and dynamics in wastewater to better inform flu vaccine development

With roots tracing back to Germany, Ludwig is a PhD student at UH Manoa in the Lehrer Lab, whose research primarily focuses on enhancing the yields of recombinant protein production and refining workflows for vaccine development, leveraging his strong background in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He aims to contribute to the improvement of efficacy and accessibility, and make an impact on global health.

FELLOW Ludwig Mayerlen
PhD Candidate, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

FACULTY SPONSOR Dr. Axel Lehrer
Associate Professor, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

PROJECT Expression Vector System offers a fully customizable product that can be used for the expression of almost any protein and provide high-yield production of vaccine antigens

Christopher’s primary research interests lie in gene therapy and synthetic biology, particularly how to effectively translate scientific advancements to real-world applications by bridging the gap between basic research and practical solutions. He aims to explore various business applications that can amplify the impact of his research efforts.

FELLOW Christopher Tran
PhD Candidate, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

FACULTY SPONSOR Dr. Jesse Owens
Assistant Professor, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

PROJECT Programmable Genome Insertion Tool actively and accurately incorporates DNA into the genome of somatic cells at specific locations to develop clinical therapies that use insertional vectors to treat genetic disease

This program is supported by the Office of Naval Research.