ARCS Honolulu Chapter recognized 19 outstanding Univeristy of Hawai‘i at Manoa STEM PhD students and announced three Scholar of the Year awards at Outrigger Canoe Club on May 5.
Scholars of the Year Allie Hall, Ty Shitanaka, Courtney Kurashima
Columbia Communications ARCS Award in Astronomy Scholar Zac Bailey with ARCS member Joan Yanagihara
ARCS member Roz Pearson with Bretzlaff Foundation ARCS Award in Engineering Scholar Roxanne Balanay
ARCS member Roz Pearson with Frederick Kresser Memorial ARCS Award in Engineering Scholar Joshua Dyogi
Guy Moulton Yates ARCS Award in Medicine Scholar Anna Nilson with ARCS member Merilyn Gray
ARCS member Merilyn Gray with E. Palmer Payne ARCS Award in Medicine Scholar Courtney Kurashima
Poorman Hoyt Stratford Foundation ARCS Scholar in Earth Sciences Jade Comellas with Carol Stratford
Ellen M. Koenig ARCS Award in Atmospheric Sciences Scholar Audrey Nash and with ARCS member Carol Stratford
ARCS member Patty Lee with Feorge and Mona Elmore ARCS Award in Oceanography Scholar Christina Comfort
Toby Lee ARCS Scholar in Earth Sciences Tanner Hayes with ARCS member Patty Lee
ARCS member Sui-Lan Ellsworth with Ellen M. Koenig ARCS Award in Agriculture Kyle Marcelino
Helen Jones Farrar ARCS Award in Agriculture Scholar Ty Shitanaka
Honolulu Chapter ARCS Award Scholar Anne Innes-Gold with ARCS member Jacquie Maly
Maybelle F. Roth ARCS Award in Conservation Biology Scholar Amir Van Gieson with ARCS member Jacquie Maly
Dr. Jacqueline Maly ARCS Award in Life Sciences Scholar Taylor Ely with Jacquie Maly
Sarah Ann Martin ARCS Award in Life Sciences Scholar with Jacquie Maly
Dr. Jacqueline Maly ARCS Award in Computer Sciences Scholar Jesse McDonald with Jacquie Maly
George and Mona Elmore ARCS Award in Mathematics Scholar Jack McKee with ARCS member Jacquie Maly
Dr. Jacqueline Maly ARCS Award in Computer Sciences Scholar Jesse McDonald with Jacquie Maly
2025 Honolulu ARCS Scholars from the University of Hawai‘i's College of Natural Sciences
2025 Honolulu ARCS Scholars in the College of Engineering
2025 Honolulu ARCS Scholars in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources with CTAHR Dean Grewal Parwinder
2025 Honolulu ARCS Scholars in the University of Hawai‘i's John A. BurnsSchool of Medicine
2025 ARCS Scholars in UH's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology
To Quote a Scholar: Mason Russo
"I have conducted comprehensive studies on two invasive insect pests in the Hawaiian Islands that are severely impacting Hawaiian ecosystems. The coconut rhinoceros beetle is spreading fast across Oahu and has reached other islands. The hala scale impacts native coastal hala forests."
Besides offsetting the high cost of living in Hawai‘i, funds from the 2024 Maybelle F. Roth ARCS Scholar and Honolulu Scholar of the Year awards would allow Mason Russo to return to Asia if an initial survey produces promising biological control agents for the battle against destructive insects that threaten Hawai‘i trees.
Scholar Update: Lunar Luminary Paul Lucey
"When I began research in planetary science as an undergraduate, I saw it as a tangible way to explore space and make meaningful contributions to that endeavor. As time passed, I have enjoyed helping many students do the same, and watch them become successful scientists."
1987 Honolulu ARCS Scholar Dr. Paul Lucey received the NASA Eugene Shoemaker Distinguished Scientist Medal recipient for lifetime achievement in the study of the Moon and other rocky planets. A professor in the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa's Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, he has been instrumental in developing imaging spectrometers for NASA. His use of hyperspectral imagery to efficiently map lunar materials and quantitative modeling of near-infrared spectra have generated key insights regarding the composition of the lunar crust and interior. Read more
Dr. Mark Hixon on ARCS Scientist Honor
"I am especially grateful that ARCS Honolulu appreciates the mentoring of graduate students, who are society’s future scientists during an era when science is increasingly under attack."
ARCS Honolulu Chapter named marine ecologist Dr. Mark Hixon its 2021 ARCS Scientist of the Year for his remarkable record of research, mentorship and public outreach. He is the Sidney and Erika Hsiao Endowed Chair in Marine Biology and chairs the Zoology Graduate Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. Photo by Chris Pala