A recent study by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Washington State University shows how fathers pass on traits influenced by their environment to their children. The research provided new data refining the mechanistic basis of paternal epigenetic inheritance.

The team was spearheaded by Monika Ward of the (JABSOM) and Wei Yan of Washington State University, whose work offers new insight into how these hereditary signals function.

, the study challenges the idea that sperm pick up this vital environmental information while maturing in a specific part of the male reproductive system called the epididymis. Instead, researchers found that mature sperm lack the specific mitochondrial DNA (genetic material for cell energy) required to facilitate this process, suggesting the information is set earlier while the sperm is still in the testes.

How testes help pass on traits

To test this, researchers fed male mice a high-fat diet. They then used a specialized fertilization technique to create offspring using both early-stage sperm from the testes and fully mature sperm. They discovered that the early sperm passed on traits from the father’s diet just as effectively as the mature sperm did.

“This work is a perfect example of how assisted reproduction technologies can be used to advance understanding of key processes in male reproduction,” said Ward, a researcher in the and professor of anatomy, biochemistry and physiology.

Related 糖心视频 News story: 糖心视频 researchers advance study of key male fertility gene

By using a direct injection technique with early-stage sperm, the team proved that sperm do not need to mature in the epididymis to pass on environmental information.

The study also clarified the amount of mitochondrial DNA in sperm. By testing sperm at various stages, the team confirmed that this material is progressively removed during development, leaving mature sperm almost entirely without it. They also found that small RNA, which carries genetic information, is primarily set during development in the testes.

The findings support a framework in which environmentally responsive molecular information is programmed during sperm development in the testes and later delivered to the egg by mature sperm depleted of mitochondrial DNA.

“The founder of our institute, Ryuzo Yanagimachi, was a pioneer who first developed many of the techniques used in modern IVF,” said Ward. “This study is a great example of how his legacy and our expertise continue to lead to new scientific discoveries.”

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) faculty member Paris Stowers has been honored for her efforts in helping medical students find their voice in obstetrics and gynecology.

Stowers, an assistant professor of , received the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Medical Student Recruitment Award. She was recognized for developing a student leadership and mentorship model within the organization鈥檚 District VIII, which includes Hawaiʻi and several western states.

The initiative was designed to engage medical students in the OBGYN field early by giving them a real seat at the table.

“There was an interest in developing a medical student advisory council so medical students could have a leadership role in the organization,” Stowers said.

As the council鈥檚 first faculty advisor, Stowers helped build a program that connected students across Hawaiʻi and several western states through virtual meetings, mentorship, advocacy work and national conferences.

Strengthening student advocacy, recruitment

“We ask them what kinds of things they want to work on,” Stowers said. “It鈥檚 more successful if it鈥檚 student-driven.”

Students engaged in various health education and advocacy projects and attended national advocacy meetings in Washington, D.C., where they met with lawmakers alongside practicing OBGYN physicians. The program emphasized professional development skills, such as networking at conferences and maximizing mentorship opportunities.

The model has also helped strengthen recruitment in regions historically struggling to retain OBGYN physicians, including rural states facing physician shortages. JABSOM students Brandi Mikami and Paige Harakuni served on the council this year.

“I cannot think of someone more deserving of this award than Dr. Stowers,” said Harakuni. “She has a remarkable ability to bring students into the conversation and make us feel like valued members of the organization.”

Stowers hopes the experience shows future physicians they can help shape healthcare systems and policy. “You can make a change in your medical school, but also at the national level,” she said.

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 researcher Claire Kendal-Wright from the (JABSOM) is leading an effort to transform maternal-fetal care in American Samoa, a region where physicians face severe resource limitations at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center.

“There was one OB and a resident covering labor and delivery,” Kendal-Wright recalled. “I started asking questions about preterm birth and outcomes, and you realize very quickly how dedicated the health providers are despite how limited the resources are.”

Backed by a U.S. Department of Interior grant to the medical center, Kendal-Wright is working with local clinicians to strengthen care through sonography training, telehealth and improved access to specialists.

The effort targets high-risk pregnancies. According to a study in , American Samoa faces challenging maternal health conditions, including high rates of obesity, hypertension and diabetes, alongside limited diagnostic technology.

Overcoming resource and diagnostic barriers

“When this grant ends, we aim to put in place a care pipeline that has not been available to these mothers,” Kendal-Wright said. “This will enable more mothers to gain the vital information required to make important care decisions about the health of their babies. For the mothers of American Samoa, this is not possible right now.”

It鈥檚 incredibly rewarding work.
—Claire Kendal-Wright

During recent visits with collaborators Curtis Lowery (medical researcher), Larenda Casey (lead sonographer) and La-Tisha Frazier (MD/JABSOM fellow), Kendal-Wright saw clinicians improvise by sharing ultrasound images via cell phone photos for outside opinions.

“You’re dealing with a population where many women have significant risk factors during pregnancy,” she said. “Having the ability to identify complications earlier and make informed decisions is incredibly important.”

The project, started by Men-Jean Lee, JABSOM‘s former associate chair of research and innovation, reflects the school’s mission of bolstering Pacific health equity.

Kendall-Wright added, “It’s incredibly rewarding work. These collaborations help ensure that mothers and babies have access to the best care possible, no matter where they live.”

First-year University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 medical student Eugene Santos II is sharing his experience with Tourette Syndrome, a neurological condition marked by involuntary movements called tics and affecting about 1.4 million people in the U.S.

Santos was diagnosed in elementary school after stress from his parents鈥� divorce and frequent travel between Guam and Hawaiʻi contributed to his symptoms. A neurologist later confirmed the diagnosis.

“My intent was to pursue some sort of writing career, whether that was music or poetry,” he said. “One way or another though, I found myself questioning if there was space for me in medicine. I鈥檇 always been interested in it. But because of my Tourette鈥檚, I had an idea of what I could and could not do. And, what I could do, and what I could not do included helping others with their health.”

From diagnosis to medical school

A caregiver experience during college helped reshape his outlook after a patient encouraged him to pursue healthcare despite his tics.

“I remember I was getting her into bed, and she said, ‘You have such good bedside manner. Why don鈥檛 you go into healthcare?’ Despite the fact that my tics were really active that day, she saw something in me that was more than that.”

At the , Santos connected with Johnathan Kim, who graduated in May and also lives with Tourette Syndrome. The two bonded over shared experiences and career paths.

Kim is transitioning to an internal medicine residency at the University of California, Irvine, and expressed gratitude for the support of family, friends, classmates and mentors who helped him persevere with Tourette Syndrome.

“To me, that was so cool,” Kim said. “I felt like someone could actually understand what I felt.”

Santos said that connection has been meaningful as he continues medical training.

“We always say representation is important, in whatever field it is,” he said. “Being able to talk with someone about some of my insecurities and someone who has Tourette鈥檚 has been really helpful.”

Santos hopes his story encourages others not to be limited by their condition.

“You may have this thing, but you are not defined by it,” he said.

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A Wai膩kea High School graduate is now a physician after completing his medical training in May at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM), a journey shaped by his Hawaiʻi Island roots, early classroom curiosity, and a commitment to returning home to serve.

Duke Escobar has been described by teachers and peers as approachable, trustworthy and easy to connect with.

“You wish you had a full class of Dukes,” one educator said, noting his friendliness and ability to relate to both younger and older people.

Despite his accomplishments, Escobar often returns to a phrase that reflects his perspective growing up: “just a kid from Wai膩kea.” The sentiment speaks to his humility as a first-generation college student raised in a close-knit Hawaiʻi Island community.

Early inspiration

His interest in medicine began at Wai膩kea High School, where a health academy course introduced him to medical problem-solving through activities such as diagnosing cases from the television show House. A teacher recalled his curiosity and enthusiasm in class.

Escobar went on to study cell and molecular biology at before completing research gap years at Stanford University and the University of Washington. He was later accepted to JABSOM after years of preparation and persistence.

At medical school, he joined the School Health Education Program, helping bring medical learning into local classrooms. He said working with students came naturally.

“Maybe it鈥檚 like the same level of maturity, but we get along quite well,” he said.

Serving his community

Escobar also discovered his interest in pediatrics, drawn to working with children and building connections through humor and trust. He matched into a pediatrics residency and will continue training in Hawaiʻi.

“I always kind of felt like I needed more of a human connection, and I felt like being a physician is where I could find that,” he said.

Escobar plans to return to Hilo to serve the community that raised him and hopes to inspire Hawaiʻi Island students to pursue careers in medicine.

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University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) physician-scientist Dominic Chow has been selected for the 2026 Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine Forum at the National Academy of Medicine.

The invitation-only program brings together emerging leaders in health care, research and policy from across the country.

“It鈥檚 a real honor,” Chow said. “To be able to interact with members of the National Academy of Medicine and contribute to discussions that help guide health policy is something I don鈥檛 take lightly.”

Chow鈥檚 career spans global public health, including training at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and work in Guyana, where he helped lead a yellow fever outbreak investigation.

At JABSOM, he has advanced HIV research through the Hawaiʻi Center for AIDS and serves as program director of Ola HAWAII, an NIH-funded initiative expanding clinical research access in underserved communities and supporting studies including Long COVID.

“I think bringing clinical trials to various populations across Hawaiʻi helps create more equity,” Chow said.

The forum connects participants to address major health challenges and inform national policy. Chow said he hopes to ensure Hawaiʻi鈥檚 health needs are represented.

“We have a responsibility to address health disparities here in Hawaiʻi and beyond,” he said.

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The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) recently hosted its two-day “Aloha Begins with Us” symposium and open house, bringing together faculty, staff, students and community members to explore how Native Hawaiian values, wellbeing and resilience can be integrated into everyday work and learning.

The event highlighted several JABSOM initiatives focused on belonging, professionalism and wellness, while creating opportunities for collaboration across the 糖心视频 System.

“Positive relationships and meaningful work are core to preventing burnout and improving learning and working environments so that everyone can thrive,” said JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker. “While JABSOM and the other health science units at 糖心视频 have been collaborating through research and education, we will all serve our students and communities better by pursuing some strategic collaborative initiatives.”

“For me, ‘Aloha Begins with Us’ was an invitation to be inspired by the many ways that JABSOM is integrating Native Hawaiian Place of Learning across its curriculum and in collaboration with other parts of our campus, work that can be about providing space to recount the academic, professional and familial genealogies that shape us individually, or about how Hawaiian concepts can ground us as we create learning and work environments that promote rather than undermine the health of everything that lives on this ʻāina said Laura Lyons, interim vice provost for academic excellence.

The symposium also emphasized JABSOM‘s ongoing work to support the 糖心视频’s goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning.

Kaiwipunikauikaw膿kiu Punihei Lipe, director of 糖心视频 Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao, noted that the symposium demonstrated how JABSOM has successfully integrated Native Hawaiian principles into their own action plans and mission.

Organizers said the event aimed to increase awareness of available wellbeing resources while encouraging participants to bring their “whole selves” into their work, teaching and learning.

The second day’s open house expanded those conversations to a broader audience, offering faculty, staff, students, residents and community members opportunities to learn more about programs and ways to get involved.

Read more at .

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) celebrated 79 new locally trained physicians during its 2026 Convocation Ceremony at Kennedy Theatre on May 17. The event marked a major milestone for graduates preparing to serve communities across the state and beyond.

As Hawaiʻi continues to face a physician shortage, more than half of the graduates are entering critical primary care specialties including internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology.

The ceremony included the recitation of the Oath of Hippocrates, formally welcoming the graduates into the medical profession.

‘I feel so grateful’

Among the graduates staying in Hawaiʻi are Joseph Li and Juyoung Chong, both eager to give back to the communities they now call home.

Meet more amazing 糖心视频 graduates

“To just be able to serve the community that I grew up in, so many people pouring in to me and my family, helping to support me to get where I am today,” Li said. “Couldn’t have done it without any of them, so to be able to stay in Hawaiʻi, and support the people of Hawaiʻi, is just an incredible honor and I feel so grateful to have this opportunity.”

Chong, who was born and raised in Busan, South Korea, said Hawaiʻi became his second home after moving to the islands for high school.

“This is just the perfect environment for me because I was able to start my family, have a child, and with the ʻohana and aloha and all the love that I may not be able to have outside of Hawaiʻi,” Chong said. “I’m so happy to share my experience with the soon-to-be mothers who may be very nervous for upcoming life-changing events.”

Thirty-three percent of JABSOM’s Class of 2026 will continue their residency training in Hawaiʻi, helping strengthen the state’s future healthcare workforce.

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.

Nicolas Gaillard

Nicolas Gaillard is an associate researcher in the Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He has more than 20 years of experience in materials and surface science, with expertise in photovoltaics, electrochemistry and device integration.

He joined HNEI as a postdoctoral fellow in 2007 and now leads the Thin Films Laboratory. His research focuses on understanding light-matter interactions at solid–solid and solid–liquid interfaces at the atomic scale, advancing the design of next-generation materials for renewable energy technologies.

In 2017, with support from the 糖心视频 Strategic Investment Initiative, he founded the Materials Science Consortium for Research and Education (MS-CoRE), bringing together 糖心视频 materials researchers to expand shared resources, strengthen interdisciplinary research and foster collaboration.

“He has established himself as a nationally and internationally recognized leader in the field,” said Richard Rocheleau, HNEI director. “More importantly, his collaborations with other departments and his mentorship of students, postdoctoral fellows and junior researchers, has made important contributions to the education and training of the next generation of scientists and engineers.”

Joseph Keaweʻaimoku Kaholokula

Joseph Keaweʻaimoku Kaholokula is professor and chair of Native Hawaiian Health at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). A nationally recognized translational behavioral scientist, he has led federally funded research for more than two decades to improve cardiometabolic health and advance health equity for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

He is lead co-principal investigator of the Pacific Innovations, Knowledge, and Opportunities (PIKO) Clinical and Translational Research Center, where he helps train the next generation of researchers to address Hawaiʻi‘s most pressing health challenges. He also developed programs supporting underrepresented students, fellows and early-career faculty in health research.

With more than 200 publications, his work has influenced healthcare delivery, clinical outcomes and public health policy for Indigenous communities. Kaholokula has held national leadership roles and continues to serve on local boards dedicated to improving community health. In 2024, he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.

“Through community-engaged research and culturally grounded approaches, he has built trust, advanced our understanding of health disparities, and helped develop solutions for our communities,” said JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker. “His work continues to shape how we approach disease prevention and public health in Hawaiʻi, the Pacific and beyond.”

Victor M. Lubecke

Victor M. Lubecke is a professor of electrical and computer engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He specializes in wireless sensing and integrated transducers.

Prior to joining 糖心视频 Mānoa in 2003, he worked at Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, where his research focused on remote sensing and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for biomedical and industrial applications. He has also held research positions at NASA‘s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Institute for Physical and Chemical Research, working on technologies for space-based sensing and communications.

Lubecke has authored nearly 300 peer-reviewed publications with more than 10,000 citations, holds seven U.S. patents and has co-founded two startup companies. He is an IEEE Fellow, a Fulbright Senior Scholar and an emeritus Distinguished Microwave Lecturer of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society.

“Victor Lubecke is truly an internationally recognized researcher for his important contributions in the electrical engineering field,” said Aaron Ohta, professor of electrical and computer engineering. “During one of my research projects, I came across many examples of Victor’s groundbreaking work that provided me with the essential information I needed to successfully complete it. I am honored to be working with such an esteemed colleague.”

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa project focused on identifying early brain-based markers in infants exposed to methamphetamine before birth has been awarded a $50,000 grant from through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The research represents a critical step toward improving how children at higher risk for adverse developmental outcomes are identified and supported early in life.

The project aims to identify neurodevelopmental biomarkers that can detect early neurobehavioral impairments associated with prenatal methamphetamine exposure. If successful, this work could lay the foundation for scalable screening tools and targeted intervention programs designed to improve outcomes for children across Hawaiʻi and beyond.

“This project is about providing families with answers sooner and equipping providers with better tools to deliver care,” said Katy Tarrit, assistant professor in the in the , principal investigator of the study, and director of the Hawaiʻi Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory. “The identification of objective neurodevelopmental biomarkers of risk in infancy enables a transition from reactive detection of developmental delays to early, targeted interventions that support optimal brain development during critical stages of neurodevelopment.”

Prenatal methamphetamine exposure has been linked to long-term cognitive, behavioral, motor, and developmental challenges. However, many children are not identified until these delays become more pronounced, often years later.

By identifying measurable early biomarkers of neurodevelopmental risk, the research team aims to establish a framework for early, targeted intervention—particularly in communities with limited access to specialized healthcare services.

More about Ola HAWAIʻI

Ola HAWAIʻI is a 糖心视频 Research Center in Minority Institutions Specialized Center funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, part of the National Institutes of Health. Based at the , the center works to advance minority health and health disparities research in Hawaiʻi, focusing on communities that experience disproportionate disease burden and limited access to care. Supported through a five-year federal NIH award, Ola HAWAIʻI strengthens research capacity, mentors investigators and partners with communities to improve health outcomes statewide.

• Related 糖心视频 News story: Array of health threats to Native Hawaiians focus of $22.5M grant, September 21, 2022

A common emergency room issue鈥攐bjects stuck in children鈥檚 ears鈥攊s driving innovation through the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (MIND) Hawaiʻi competition.

(JABSOM) pediatric emergency physician Travis Hong said the problem is more frequent than many expect.

“You’d be surprised how often kids come in with things stuck in their ears鈥攂eads, food, small toy parts,” Hong said. “I see these cases at least every couple of weeks, if not more.”

Removing those objects safely can be challenging and sometimes requires improvisation.

“A lot of ER care involves figuring out what works in the moment,” Hong said. “In some cases, we use a small amount of medical-grade adhesive on a cotton swab to try to extract the object鈥攂ut it requires precision, and the child has to stay very still.”

Student-driven solution

That challenge inspired this year鈥檚 winning team in the MIND Hawaiʻi competition.

“We wanted to create something safer, more controlled and designed specifically for this problem,” said Aileen Ferrer, a JABSOM student and leader of the StickieEars team.

The team developed a hybrid suction-adhesive device to improve safety and control during removal.

“It鈥檚 a common issue, but there isn鈥檛 a standardized tool,” Ferrer said. “We saw an opportunity to improve that.”

Developing the prototype required collaboration across disciplines鈥攃entral to MIND鈥檚 mission. The annual competition brings together students from across campus, including JABSOM, the , the and the , to tackle real-world healthcare challenges.

Working with students and mentors from different backgrounds changed how we approached the problem.
—Aileen Ferrer

“Working with students and mentors from different backgrounds changed how we approached the problem,” Ferrer said. “That collaboration was one of the most valuable parts of the experience.”

“Students are addressing real clinical needs, and the level of innovation in these projects is exciting to see,” said faculty advisor Peter Di Rocco, clinical assistant professor at JABSOM.

Ferrer hopes StickieEars will eventually reach clinical use.

“I think this could have a real impact in everyday practice and make a difference for patients,” she said.

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University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 student Elizabeth Rooks is earning national recognition for her research on retinoblastoma, a pediatric eye cancer, during a dedicated research year.

Rooks was awarded the Research to Prevent Blindness Medical Student Eye Research Fellowship, a competitive program supporting students advancing the understanding and treatment of eye disease.

“It鈥檚 an incredible honor,” she said. “This fellowship feels like an investment in my future, but more importantly in work that directly impacts patients.”

Advancing retinoblastoma research

Collaborating with researchers at the University of Washington, Rooks examines the genetic mutations behind the retinoblastoma and how they are inherited.

“Some patients also go on to develop osteosarcomas or other cancers in their 40s and 50s, while others never do,” she said.

Her work uses long-read genetic sequencing, which can identify not only mutations but also which parent passed them on.

“Unlike traditional sequencing methods, long-read sequencing lets us see the parental origin of a mutation without needing to test the parents. This is important because earlier research shows that mutations inherited from the father can make retinoblastoma more aggressive,” she said.

Rooks also helps collect and sequence DNA from patients and return findings to clinicians, potentially informing care in a fast-progressing cancer. Understanding the origin may help identify high-risk children earlier and guide more precise treatment.

After her research year, Rooks will return to Hawaiʻi to complete her medical training.

“I am so grateful for this fellowship and for my team,” she said. “Working with them has taught me so much and has shown me the kind of physician I want to become.”

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At the University of Hawaiʻi, Giving Day is a 24-hour fundraising event to support our 糖心视频 students and embrace the rich diversity and expansive reach of our university system.

At the (JABSOM), where more than 90% of students are awarded some form of scholarship, donors make a great impact in their journeys in medicine. For first-year medical student Emma Pinnow, that journey started with the ʻImi Hoʻ艒la Post Baccalaureate Program.

Read more 糖心视频 Giving Day stories

Ahead of a Giving Day appearance on Hawaiʻi News Now, JABSOM sat down with Pinnow.

Q: How did ʻImi Hoʻ艒la put you on a path to medicine?

I come from a family deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 public school system, so while education was always the priority, medicine was a brand-new endeavor for me. My dream was always to stay home, to be near family and learn to provide care specifically tailored to our people here in Hawaiʻi. ʻImi Hoʻ艒la, which means “those who seek to heal” in ʻ艑濒别濒辞 Hawaiʻi, was the bridge to that dream. It鈥檚 a rigorous 12-month journey, and completing it provided me with automatic admission to JABSOM. But more than just a seat in the class, it gave me the foundational competence and the unshakeable support system I needed.

I didn鈥檛 just gain knowledge, I gained a cohort, mentors and a community that believed in my potential when I was just starting out. What truly changed the trajectory for me was the generosity of our donors. I was fully prepared to take on a massive financial burden to pursue this path, but because of their support, my experience was tuition-free. This didn鈥檛 just save money, it gave me the gift of time and focus. Instead of juggling my studies with a job, I can dedicate 100% of my energy to the rigors of medical school. It only takes one group of people to believe in you to open a door. For me, that door was ʻImi Hoʻ艒la. It allowed me to show my potential and has put me on a path to serve the community that raised me.

Q: What are your goals in medicine?

I鈥檓 currently a little more than halfway through my first year, and honestly, it鈥檚 been very exciting. Every week I鈥檓 exposed to a new specialty or a different organ system, and I鈥檓 making it my goal to learn as much as I can and to lean into every opportunity to the fullest extent. While I haven’t settled on a specific specialty yet, I have settled on the where and the who. No matter what field I choose, I am committed to serving the people of Hawaiʻi. This is my home, and I truly can鈥檛 imagine being anywhere else.

Being Native Hawaiian, I am especially aware of the health disparities our community faces, particularly with cardiometabolic disease. One of my primary goals in medicine is to directly address these inequities. I want to take the education we receive here at JABSOM, which emphasizes culturally-competent care, and apply it in a way that resonates with our local population. Ultimately, my goal is to bridge the gap between high-level medical science and the unique cultural needs of our islands. Giving back to the community that raised me is my way of honoring where I come from.

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The University of Hawaiʻi accounted for more than $61.2 million—92% of all federal biomedical research funding awarded in the state from the (NIH)—in fiscal year 2025.

Hawaiʻi received $66.7 million overall in NIH funding, according to a new report from . The investment supported 902 jobs and generated $188.7 million in economic activity statewide.

NIH funding supports a wide range of research across 糖心视频, from improving disease detection and treatment to addressing health disparities and strengthening public health systems that serve island communities, reinforcing the university鈥檚 role in advancing health research and innovation in Hawaiʻi.

had the largest share, with 72 awards totaling $60.7 million, while the received two awards totaling $468,391. While overall funding remained strong, NIH鈥檚 shift to multi-year funding—which obligates the full grant value upfront—resulted in 5,564 fewer grants being funded in FY2025 compared to FY2024.

“Even in a highly competitive and uncertain federal funding environment, University of Hawaiʻi researchers continue to deliver work that improves lives here at home and beyond,” said Chad Walton, 糖心视频 interim vice president for research and innovation. “These investments fuel discoveries, support high-quality jobs and strengthen our local economy. Every dollar makes a difference for our communities.”

Research highlights

Recent awards reflect the diversity of NIH-funded research at 糖心视频:

• $322,891 from the National Cancer Institute supports Shugeng Zhao Cao, professor at the at 糖心视频 Hilo. The project, Discovery of novel natural TEAD inhibitors for the chemoprevention of liver tumors, explores natural compounds from Hawaiian microorganisms to develop the first preventive therapy for liver cancer.



• $2,039,744 from the National Human Genome Research Institute supports Lang Wu, associate professor at the at the 糖心视频 Cancer Center. The research advances genomic tools and approaches to better understand complex diseases and support precision health applications. (Related 糖心视频 News story)
• $459,287 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases supports Youping Deng, professor at the . The project, Hawaii Advanced Training in Artificial Intelligence for Precision Nutrition Science Research, strengthens training in the use of artificial intelligence for nutrition and metabolic health research. (Related 糖心视频 News story)

A University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 physician is working to change how a common but often overlooked gynecologic condition is diagnosed and treated.

Kimberly Kho, who holds the nation鈥檚 first professorship in advanced gynecological surgery in the (JABSOM), recently authored a clinical expert series review on adenomyosis in . The publication places Kho among a select group of internationally recognized experts in women鈥檚 health.

“These articles are meant to synthesize the existing medical literature and turn it into meaningful clinical guidance,” Kho said. “The goal is that a physician could read it, deepen their understanding of the disease, and immediately apply what they learned in their practice on Monday morning.”

Adenomyosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows into the uterine muscle, causing severe menstrual bleeding, chronic pelvic pain and fertility challenges. Despite affecting roughly one in three women, the condition remains underdiagnosed and under-researched.

“It鈥檚 astonishing how common it is,” Kho said. “But if you look at the research funding for adenomyosis, which then correlates to our scientific understanding of the disease and specific therapies, it鈥檚 just a drop in the proverbial bucket compared to how much and how many this disease impacts.”

Advances in diagnosis, care

Kho鈥檚 review provides a practical roadmap for OB–GYN physicians, covering disease mechanisms, diagnostic advances and modern treatment options. A major shift highlighted is the move toward noninvasive diagnosis using imaging tools such as ultrasound and MRI, rather than relying on hysterectomy for confirmation.

“Our paradigm for diagnosing has really evolved because our technologies have evolved. This allows us to name the condition and start treating it, rather than the alternative, which was often to write off the symptoms,” Kho said.

The review also challenges the idea that hysterectomy is the only effective treatment.

“There are many excellent uterine-preserving options,” Kho said. “Medical, interventional and surgical treatments can manage symptoms while preserving uterine function and future fertility.”

Kho hopes the publication will help establish clearer guidance for physicians worldwide while expanding access to advanced gynecologic care in Hawaiʻi.

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, an assistant professor in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa , has received the Career Development Award from the to advance medical research and technology for vascular and heart health. The three-year, $230,727 award supports promising early-career investigators working on innovative solutions in cardiovascular and related biomedical research.

“I am very honored to receive this award,” Wang said. “This support allows us to explore bold ideas that could change how we approach medical treatment inside the human body, while building a strong network of collaborators who bring different expertise to the table. It鈥檚 a great opportunity to train the next generation of engineers and create technologies that could one day make procedures safer and less invasive.”

Wang鈥檚 project focuses on developing miniature soft robotics combined with artificial intelligence to create new medical devices that can navigate hard-to-reach areas of the body and enhance the function of cardiovascular and neurovascular systems. The work builds on Wang鈥檚 previous research on soft robotics inspired by diverse marine life. By studying how small aquatic animals move efficiently through complex environments, his team designs flexible robots that can safely operate in delicate spaces, such as inside the human body.

Related 糖心视频 News stories:

• Bio-inspired breakthroughs: Engineering solutions from nature, August 26, 2025
• Team of microscopic soft robots could transform medical care, November 10, 2024
• Robot tech to clean oceans wows international summit, February 6, 2024

The award also supports collaboration and mentorship with scientists from 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 , The Queen鈥檚 Medical Center, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These partnerships aim to strengthen research and expand real-world applications of miniature soft robotics in healthcare.

Wang also serves as an adjunct assistant professor at The Queen鈥檚 Medical Center and a cooperating faculty in 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 .

The project highlights 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 growing role in robotics and biomedical engineering, with a focus on developing technologies that can improve patient care and address complex health challenges such as sudden cardiac arrest.

Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation鈥檚 top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 (JABSOM) also placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and 糖心视频 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked 糖心视频 Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said 糖心视频 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and Hawaiʻi can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these 糖心视频 News stories on previous years鈥� rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the 糖心视频 law school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master鈥檚 and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in Hawaiʻi to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation鈥檚 top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

糖心视频 Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

糖心视频 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

Laughter and a quick shuffle of chairs fill the air as Tracie Okumura steps to the front of a bright classroom, lifting a model heart. “Who can tell me what this is?” she asks, and nearly every hand goes up.

For Okumura, some of the most meaningful moments in her medical school journey at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) happen through its School Health Education Program (SHEP), which sends students into public schools to introduce medicine and teach basic health concepts. For 25 years, the program has reached thousands of students in more than 33 Department of Education middle and high schools across Hawaiʻi.

During a recent visit to Queen’s North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital, Okumura and fellow third-year medical students Quan Lac and Aaron Yamasaki led hands-on activities for students, giving them a closer look at clinical skills—from suturing to ultrasound—and also shared insights on the path to becoming a physician.

“We try to make the sessions very interactive,” Okumura said. “They get the chance to kind of dip their toes into medicine and see what it’s like.”

For many in attendance, it may be the first time they’ve met someone close to their own age pursuing a career in healthcare. SHEP‘s outreach focuses on exposing students to medical careers and opportunities that they may not otherwise have access to.

Building essential physician skills

The program also helps medical students strengthen communication skills.

“I’ve used the skills I developed in SHEP almost daily,” Okumura said. “Whether it’s in the clinic or on the hospital wards, you learn how to take medicine and break it down into something more digestible. As I’m talking, I’m looking at people and thinking, ‘Is what I’m saying clicking, or is it not clicking?’”

By teaching others, students deepen their own understanding. Okumura and her classmates said their experience in SHEP was invaluable.

“We’re going to need doctors one day,” she said. “Programs like this help recruit the best of the best and make sure students know these opportunities exist.”

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Fourteen University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa academic subjects were ranked among the world鈥檚 best in the 2026 , released on March 25.

Four subjects placed in the top 22 in the nation and top 100 in the world. Leading the way was geology (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), geophysics (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), Earth and marine sciences (No. 21 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world) and linguistics (No. 22 in the U.S. and No. 61 in the world).

Ten additional subjects placed in the world鈥檚 top 2% (within top 500 in the world out of ):

• English language and literature: No. 28 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Agriculture and forestry: No. 30 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Anthropology: No. 31 U.S., No. 101–200 world
• Modern languages: No. 41 U.S., No. 251–300 world
• Environmental sciences: No. 66 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Communication and media studies: No. 68 U.S., No. 251–275 world
• Physics and astronomy: No. 70 U.S., No. 401–450 world
• Education: No. 78 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Medicine: No. 99 U.S., No. 451–500 world
• Biological sciences: No. 100 U.S., No. 451–500 world

“These rankings highlight the exceptional work and commitment of our faculty, students and staff,” 糖心视频 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “They showcase the university鈥檚 global standing and reinforce that 糖心视频 Mānoa offers outstanding educational opportunities and experiences for both our local community and those joining us from around the world.”

糖心视频 Mānoa was ranked in three broad subject areas and 14 narrow subject areas. The QS World University Rankings by Subject are calculated using five criteria: academic reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs by asking academic experts to nominate universities based on their subject area of expertise), employer reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs among employers), research citations per paper (measures the impact and quality of the scientific work done by institutions, on average per publication), H-index (measures both the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar) and international research network (measure of an institution鈥檚 success in creating and sustaining research partnerships with institutions in other locations).

The 2026 edition of the rankings by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds analyzed the performance of more than 18,300 university programs, taken by students at more than 1,700 universities in 100 locations around the world.

Other rankings

糖心视频 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026
• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026

In the wake of historic flooding on Oʻahu鈥檚 North Shore, University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) students continue to provide care where it鈥檚 urgently needed. On March 23, JABSOM鈥檚 Houseless Outreach and Medical Education (H.O.M.E.) Project—a student-run initiative that provides free healthcare to unsheltered and underserved communities—set up an on-site clinic at Waialua Elementary, treating 25 patients with a team of 16 student volunteers under the guidance of faculty.

“We鈥檝e been seeing a wide range of patients. We鈥檝e seen a fair amount with wounds and infections, probably from the storm water,” said Jill Omori, H.O.M.E. Project director.

Other patients sought care for back pain, joint pain and eye infections, conditions that can worsen when access to routine care is disrupted.

“We also saw people with GI (gastrointestinal) problems because of the contaminated water, but also just regular medical issues like hypertension or diabetes that still need to be controlled,” Omori said.

Student dedication and rural health disparities

The clinic weaves hands-on care into the JABSOM curriculum, but Omori said the majority of the students today came on their own time.

“A lot of times, the students come down to the North Shore and do service projects here and there,” Omori said. “But something like this really hits home for them. It鈥檚 really nice for them to be able to give back to the community this way.”

Second-year medical student Michael Ajimura saw that impact firsthand.

“A lot of people weren鈥檛 able to get care because of the past few days of flooding, as well as those who were injured helping out or because of the flooding,” Ajimura said. “Just being able to help them has been really rewarding. When we say that we care for the community, it鈥檚 everyone. Being out here is fulfilling, and it鈥檚 something a lot of the students are more than willing to do.”

The response also highlighted the broader issue of rural health in Hawaiʻi, which is exacerbated during a disaster.

“Rural health doesn鈥檛 just mean the neighbor islands,” Omori said. “Waialua is a great example of a rural community right here on Oʻahu. They have some of the same problems that other rural communities have, even without storms. I think it just emphasizes some of the rural health disparities and the need for more equitable care.”

As recovery continues on the North Shore, JABSOM鈥檚 H.O.M.E. Project plans to hold a pop-up clinic every day during the week of March 23. They will either be at Waialua District Park or at Haleiwa Beach Park. .

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