Column by Chancellor Irwin: Carnegie classifies UH Hilo as a Research University
The new classification allows UH Hilo faculty, staff, and partners to get the recognition they deserve for their many contributions to research that benefits island communities.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo has received a new Carnegie classification known as “Research Colleges and Universities,” announced in February by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
The designation reflects an updated methodology intended to better reflect the wide range of research conducted at higher education institutions in America, and recognizes research happening at colleges and universities that historically have not been recognized for their research activity.
I am happy that Carnegie has added this new research classification because it allows UH Hilo faculty and staff and our partners to get the recognition they deserve for their many contributions to research that benefits our island communities.
Let me share with you some of the exciting community- and ʻāina-based research that has led to this Carnegie recognition.
Several of our faculty researchers are utilizing artificial intelligence on their projects while training their students in AI, which will prepare them well for future employment.
Associate Professor of Data Science and Business Administration Sukhwa Hong conducts research focused on text mining, natural language processing, and social media analytics. He and his students work with AI and large language models to analyze big data and extract key insights to be communicated to the public. His students recently created an AI chat bot to help with academic advising.
Associate Professor of Computer Science Travis Mandel, who is coordinator for our data science program, researches how AI systems can best assist human scientists with their work. He has adjusted his research agenda to better meet the needs of Hawaiʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island in particular, as he and his students explore problems in human-in-the-loop AI and its connections with natural science.
Dovetailing with this interface of AI and natural science is the work of Professor of Geography and Environmental Science Ryan Perroy, who conducts — and trains his students to conduct — innovative drone work and mapping technology, using machine learning and AI to identify objects of interest such as invasive species in our native forests. Collaborator on this type of work is Assistant Professor of Aeronautical Science Roberto Rodriguez.
Professor of Biology Patrick Hart’s lab is developing AI programs to help with monitoring bird populations in Hawaiʻi’s forests. After 10 years of manually recording birdsong throughout our island’s forests, he and his students are now using AI to help process the lab’s huge database.
In other research of great benefit to our local communities, marine science professors Tracy Wiegner and Steven Colbert are investigating sewage hotspots along Hilo and Kona coastlines, examining inputs from onsite sewage disposal systems, such as cesspools, and Hilo’s wastewater treatment plant. Sparked by discussions with the affected communities, this research has produced data that will inform the community’s and county’s decisions regarding cesspool replacement and treatment plant upgrades.
Professor of Psychology Chris Frueh, who has extensively researched the medical and psychological injuries of former military special operators, has extended his research to include firefighters whose jobs involve regular exposure to chronic stress, lethal risks, and potential for a wide range of injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and toxic exposures. His work is recognized nationally and he is giving talks and sharing his findings with Hawaiʻi Island police and fire departments.
These are but a few examples of the research being conducted at UH Hilo. As I have emphasized throughout my six years as chancellor, the research conducted by our faculty and their students benefits not only our communities and our environment, but also hews to UH Hilo’s mission of creating academic opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, preparing our students well for important regional work when they enter the workforce.
UH Hilo has always excelled at research and I’m thrilled our university is now recognized as a Research University by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The place-based research and education conducted at UH Hilo benefits our communities and environment and beyond, prepares students to deal with the complex issues of today and tomorrow, and allows us to give back to this community and land that we are honored to call our home.
With aloha,
