UH-Manoa’s Hong
among science
students honored
By Helen Altonn
Star-Bulletin
Caron Hong, doctoral candidate in the University of Hawaii-Manoa Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, has won top honors from an organization that encourages science students.
Hong is one of 12 UH graduate students who received $5,000 each from Achievement Rewards for College Scientists as ARCS Scholars. She received an extra $1,000 as the ARCS Scholar of the Year.
Hong is working at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii on neuroblastoma, a common tumor in children. She developed the first molecular indicator of potential neuroblastoma tumor response to a differentiating agent.
The scholars and Dr. Isabella Abbott, UH professor emeritus, were honored at a recent ARCS dinner.
Abbott was recognized as "a premier scientist that dramatically set new standards in two sciences: the systematics of temperate and tropical marine algae and ethnobotany of Pacific Island people."
Other UH graduate students receiving ARCS scholarships:
Sarah L. Burgess, Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine. She is focusing on the impact of malaria on unique bird populations.
Daniel M. Hayden, Department of Molecular Biosciences & Biosystems Engineering. He is trying to develop new knowledge and methods to extend the life span of anthuriums.
Shawn T. Tsuda, John A. Burns School of Medicine. He is working on human insulin receptor precursors.
Nathan C. Peabody, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. He is trying to develop methods to apply gene transfer technology to the melon fly.
Daniel E. Potter, Institute for Astronomy. He has been working with an adaptive optics group, developing techniques to produce better images with Mauna Kea's telescopes than can be obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope.
Michael E. West, Department of Electrical Engineering. He is working as a research assistant in underwater robotics in the Autonomous Systems Laboratory.
Cory E. Campora, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. With the goal of trying to control Hawaii's worst pest, he is studying how the Formosan subterranean termite locates its food.
Daniel S. Gruner, Department of Zoology. He is doing research on invasive species, particularly a new fire ant, with hopes of gaining knowledge that can be used for an abatement program.
John J. Rooney, School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology. He is developing a comprehensive model of shoreline movement trends and patterns to provide data that could be used for shoreline management.
Jenifer S. Winter, Department of Communication & Information Sciences. She is looking at social implications and psychological factors of human technology interaction.
Andrew M. McClung, Department of Zoology. He is studying the endangered Laysan finch and hopes to develop conservation measures for that species and others with extremely small, threatened populations.
University of Hawaii
