Photos: UH Hilo College of Natural and Health Sciences 2024 Student Awards Celebration

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Through awards and scholarships, outstanding students received recognition for their excellence in academics, research, and community service.

The College of Natural and Health Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo hosted its annual awards ceremony April 26 recognizing outstanding students of the year. The CNHS 2024 Student Awards Celebration was held at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center.

Simon Kattenhorn pictured at lecturn.
Simon Kattenhorn

Each year, the college showcases its highest achieving students with awards across all departments. This year, 53 students received awards and/or scholarships in recognition of their accomplishments.

“For the first time, students were provided the option of inviting family members to share in the celebration of receipt of their awards, and 37 of the award recipients had family members present, resulting in a joy-filled atmosphere as family members cheered on their award-winning ʻohana,” says Simon Kattenhorn, dean of the college.

The event marked the inaugural year of the new College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award, presented by the dean to exceptional students in 10 disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, Marine Science, Mathematics, Nursing, Physics and Astronomy, and STEM Honors. The award — and a $1,000 scholarship to those who return in the fall — acknowledges students from across the college whose accomplishments in their academics, research activities, and service to the university or to the community at large are especially noteworthy.

The following students were recognized with awards and/or scholarships at the event.

Biology

Simon Katterhorn, Keith Ward, Harrison Maurus, Braxton Igne, Aurelia Gallagher, and Pat Hart are pictured in front of a screen.
From left, Dean Simon Kattenhorn, Keith Ward, Harrison Maurus, Braxton Igne, Aurelia Gallagher, and Professor of Biology Pat Hart.
  • Don Hemmes Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior in Cell, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences: Cindy Nguyen and Harrison Maurus
  • Mae Mull Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology: Braxton Igne
  • Outstanding Graduating Senior in Biology, BA Track: Aurelia Gallagher
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award: Keith Ward

Chemistry

Matt Platz, Ben Rudo, Krysta Costa, Caeden Kadarusman, Benedict Davidson, and Simon Kattenhorn stand for photo in front of screen.
From left, Professor Matt Platz, Ben Rudo, Krysta Costa, Caeden Kadarusman, Benedict Davidson, and Dean Simon Kattenhorn.
  • Outstanding Freshman Chemistry Award: Benjamin Rudo
  • Ernest Kho Outstanding Organic Chemistry Award: Krysta Costa
  • Outstanding Graduating Senior in Chemistry Award: Caeden Kadarusman
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award: Benedict Davidson

Computer Science

Ayrton Takane, Keith Edwards, Jaden Kapali, and Simon Kattenhorn stand for photo in front of screen. The two students are holding certificates.
From left, Ayrton Takane, Prof. Keith Edwards, Jaden Kapali, and Dean Simon Kattenhorn.
  • Daniel G. Fox Award for Excellence: Ayrton Takane
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award: Jaden Kapali

Geology

Lis Gallant, Natsumi Takeda, Paige Johnson, Edward Miller, Darcy Bevens, Steve Lundblad, Lichen Forster, and Simon Kattenhorn stand for photo. Three students are holding plaques, two are holding certificates.
From left, Asst. Prof. Lis Gallant, Natsumi Takeda, Paige Johnson, Edward Miller, Education Specialist Darcy Bevens, Prof. Steve Lundblad, Lichen Forster, and Dean Simon Kattenhorn.
  • Outstanding Senior Award: Paige Johnson and Natsumi Takeda
  • Walter Barnard Award: Edward Miller
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award: Lichen Forster

A Special Recognition for Outstanding Contributions to the Department of Geology went to Darcy Bevens, educational specialist with the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes who will be retiring this summer.

Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences

Ozan Atalağ, Roberto Ramos, Corbin Haley, Linc Gotshalk, Daniel Wetter, and Mason Cook stand for group photo with screen in the background. Students are holding their certificates.
From left, Assoc. Prof. and Chair of Dept. Ozan Atalağ, Roberto Ramos, Corbin Haley, Prof. Lincoln Gotshalk, Daniel Wetter, Mason Cook, and Dean Simon Kattenhorn.
  • Outstanding Student Award: Roberto Ramos Jr
  • Laboratory for Therapeutic Sciences Student Leadership Award: Daniel Wetter and Corbin Haley
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award: Mason Cook

Marine Science

Group photo: Sophia Pierucci, Parker Lowney, Maria Pla Prahl , Paula Petri, Erin Smith, Evelyn Gardiner, Aralyn Hacker, Steven Colbert, Lauren Runnels, Morgan Youngblood, and Simon Kattenhorn. Some students are holding their certificates.
From left, Sophia Pierucci, Parker Lowney, Maria Pla Prahl , Paula Petri, Erin Smith, Evelyn Gardiner, Aralyn Hacker, Prof. Steven Colbert, Lauren Runnels, Morgan Youngblood, and Dean Simon Kattenhorn.
  • Top Academic Achievement (Sophomore): Maria Pla Prahl
  • Top Academic Achievement (Junior): Kelli McCarty
  • Top Academic Achievement (Senior): Erin Smith
  • Thesis Award: Evelyn Grace Gardiner
  • NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship: Aralyn Hacker
  • U.S. Department of Energy AlgaePrize Internship: Lauren Runnels
  • Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Research Internship: Sophia Pierucci
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award: Morgan Youngblood

Marine Option Program Symposium Awards

(Read full story about MOP symposium)

  • PACON Award: Alexis Provencal
  • Best Poster: Paula Petri
  • Craven “Child of the Sea” Award: Parker Lowney
  • Best Research: Manuela Cortes

Mathematics

Miki Kaneao, Kamakalehua Yoshida, Rodel Tagalicud, Claire Kaneshiro, Efren Ruiz, and Joshua Baldonado stand for photo in front of screen. Students are holding framed certificates,
From left, Miki Kaneao, Kamakalehua Yoshida, Rodel Tagalicud, Claire Kaneshiro, Prof. Efren Ruiz, Joshua Baldonado, and Dean Simon Kattenhorn.
  • Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics for Continuing Students: Miki Kaneao and Kamakalehua Yoshida
  • Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in Mathematics: Claire Kaneshiro and Rodel Abel Tagalicud
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award: Joshua Baldonado

Nursing

Amy Bye, Catherine Marin, and Simon Kattenhorn stand for photo. Amy is holding certificate.
From left, student Amy Bye, Assistant Prof. Catherine Marin, and Dean Simon Kattenhorn.
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award: Amy Bye

(School of Nursing holds its own event for other awards and recognitions.)

Physics and Astronomy

Heather Kaluna, Kathy Malone, Daniel O'Connor, Nicole Drakos, Atlas Syncatto, Trinity Parascandola, James Zisk, Angela Claibourn, and Simon Kattenhorn stand for photo in front of screen. Students are holding their certificates.
From left, professors Heather Kaluna, Kathy Malone, Daniel O’Connor, and Nicole Drakos; and students Atlas Syncatto, Trinity Parascandola, James Zisk, and Angela Claibourn. At far right is Dean Simon Kattenhorn.
  • Daniel K. Inouye Scholarship in Astronomy: Atlas Syncatto
  • Paul H.I. Coleman Endowed Scholarship for Astronomy: Aaron Fernandez
  • Distinguished Student Award: Trinity Parascandola
  • Walter and Betty Steiger Physics & Astronomy Scholarship: Yannie Cheng
  • Richard A. Crowe Memorial Scholarship: James Zisk
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award: Angela Claibourn

STEM Honors

Reni Ivanova, Sinni Vo, Braxton Igne, Paige Johnson, and Simon Kattenhorn stand for photo. The three students are wearing their bright red sashes.
From left, Prof. of Mathematics and Director of STEM Honors Program Reni Ivanova, students Sinni Vo, Braxton Igne, and Paige Johnson. At far right is Dean Simon Kattenhorn.
  • Braxton Igne
  • Paige Johnson
  • Cindy Nguyen
  • Sinno Vo
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award: Koji Miyakawa

Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Graduate Program

Tracy Wiegner, Emma Stierhoff, Lauren Smith, Jon Price, and Simon Kattenhorn stand for photo in front of a screen. Students holld certificates. Price holds a plaque.
From left, Prof. of Marine Science and Associate Director of the TCBES Graduate Program Tracy Wiegner, students Emma Stierhoff and Lauren Smith, Prof. of Geography and Director of the TCBES program Jon Price, and Dean Simon Kattenhorn.

Spring 2024 TCBES Symposium Awardees

(Read full story about symposium)

  • Best 10-minute talk (Graduate Student): Emma Stierhoff
  • Best 5-minute talk (Graduate Student): Lauren Smith
  • Best 10-minute talk (Undergraduate Student): Manuela Cortes
  • Best 5-minute talk (Undergraduate Student): Krista Golgotiu
  • Best poster: Amy Durham

Photos courtesy of the College of Natural and Health Sciences.

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