Photos: UH Hilo College of Natural and Health Sciences 2025 Student Awards Celebration

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

By Staff/UH Hilo Stories. Photos by Meghann Decker and Lis Gallant/Dept of Geology/UH Hilo.

Simon Kattenhorn in lei holds a mic as he hosts the event.
Simon Kattenhorn

The College of Natural and Health Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo hosted its annual awards ceremony May 2 recognizing outstanding students of the year. The CNHS 2025 Student Awards Celebration was held at Haleʻōlelo, Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language.

Each year, CNHS showcases its highest achieving students with awards across all departments.

“This year, we again gave out 10 awards in the category CNHS Excellence Award, in 10 different disciplines,” says Simon Kattenhorn, dean of the college who hosted the event. “We also gave out 37 other departmental awards and acknowledgements, ranging from awards for academic excellence to notable research accomplishments to competitive internship placements.”

For the second year, students had the option of inviting family members to attend the event and share in the celebrations, resulting in a joy-filled atmosphere as ʻohana (family) members cheered on their award-winning haumāna (student). Over 100 people attended the event.

The event marked the second 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 received awards and/or scholarships at the event.

Click/tap photos for full size.

Biology

Professor shakes student's hand.
Professor of Biology Pat Hart (at left) congratulates Kadden Kobayashi for receiving the College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Biology.
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Biology: Kadden Kobayashi
  • Don Hemmes Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior in Cell, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences: Angel Wood
  • Mae Mull Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology: Rosemary Bearden
  • Outstanding Graduating Senior in Biology, BA Track: Odin Arvidson

Chemistry

Outside the venue, professor with group of five students holding their certificates.
Chemistry award winners stand with Professor of Chemistry Mazen Hamad (far right). From left, students are Benedict Davidson, Krysta Costa, Luz Espinoza Vargas, EriLei Udo-Tao, and Benjamin Rudo.
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Chemistry: Krysta Costa
  • Outstanding Freshman Chemistry Award: EriLei Udo-Tao and Luz Espinoza Vargas
  • Ernest Kho Outstanding Organic Chemistry Award: Benjamin Rudo
  • Outstanding Graduating Senior in Chemistry Award: Benedict Davidson

Computer Science

  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Computer Science/Data Science: Ian Scarth
  • Daniel G. Fox Award for Excellence: Christian Castro

Geology

Professors and dean with student in lei who holds her certificate.
From left, Assistant Professor of Geology Lis Gallant, Professor of Geology Steve Lundblad, Dean Simon Kattenhorn, and Christina De Torres who received the College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Geology.
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Geology: Christina De Torres
  • Outstanding Senior Award: Jen Bridges, Hunter Valencia, and Edward Miller.
  • Walter Barnard Award: Kamalani Poepoe

Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences

  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences: Sheena Sunio
  • Outstanding Student Award: Anthony Booker

Marine Science

Professors stand with students who are holding their certificates.
Marine science award recipients and faculty (front row, from left) Assistant Professor Steve Doo, Rachel McDulin, Fiona Ryan, Sara Ngo, Joyce Park, Lauren Runnels, Kelli McCarty, Iran Rosales Rivera, Hayden Niles, and Diego Johansen; (back row, from left) Megan Carney, Professor Karla McDermid, Quin Seifert, instructor Lisa Parr, education specialist Matt Connelly, and Associate Professor Steve Colbert.
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Marine Science: Quin Seifert
  • Top Academic Honors: Sara Ngo, Kelli McCarty, Joyce Park
  • NOAA Ernest F Hollings Scholarship: Iran Rosales Rivera
  • Research Cruise Internships: Aralyn Hacker, Hayden Niles, Diego Johansen
  • Senior Thesis Award, Best Poster, Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Symposium: Lauren Runnels
  • Best Presentation, Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Symposium: Kara Murphy
  • Marine Option Program Symposium Award Winners: Fiona Ryan, Megan Carney, Kara Murphy, Rachel McDulin

Mathematics

Four professors stand with three students who are holding their certificates.
Math award recipients and faculty, from left, Nathan McComas, Miki Kaneao, Associate Professor Grady Weyenberg, Joshua Baldonado, Professor Brian Wissman (in back), Professor Efren Ruiz, and Professor Raina Ivanova.
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Mathematics: Miki Kaneao
  • Outstanding Underclassman in Mathematics Award: Nathan McComas
  • Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in Mathematics: Joshua Baldonado

Nursing

Dean and professors stand with Kyla who wears lei and holds her certificate.
From left, nursing faculty Associate Professor Patricia Hensley and Associate Professor Jeanette Ayers-Kawakami, Dean Simon Kattenhorn, and Kyla Malicad who received the College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Nursing.
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Nursing: Kyla Malicad

Physics and Astronomy

Professor Martin stands with Oliver who wears a lei and is holding his certificate.
Professor of Physics and Astronomy Pierre Martin and scholarship recipient Oliver Kangwai.
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in Physics and Astronomy: Karen Maruta.
  • Daniel K. Inouye Scholarship in Astronomy: Angela Clairbourn
  • Paul H.I. Coleman Endowed Scholarship for Astronomy: Yannie Cheng
  • Distinguished Student Award: Aaron Fernandez
  • Walter and Betty Steiger Physics & Astronomy Scholarship: Emilia Wagner-Prekaski
  • Richard A. Crowe Memorial Scholarship: Oliver Kangwai

STEM Honors

Professor and dean stand with Benjamin who wears a lei and is holding his certificate.
From left, STEM Honors Program Director Raina Ivanova, CNHS Dean Simon Kattenhorn, and award recipient Benjamin Rudo.
  • College of Natural and Health Sciences Excellence Award in STEM Honors: Benjammin Rudo
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