The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo will lead a new $1.2 million, three-year grant funded by NASA to better understand how ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±¡¯²õ coastlines can withstand climate change while expanding hands-on research and workforce development opportunities for students across the 10-campus UH System.
John Burns, an associate professor of will co-lead the project with Haunani Kane, assistant professor of at the UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ .
“We are very excited to connect students from across the UH system through applied research experiences that help build educational pathways into careers in science and conservation,” said Burns.
The team will study how sea level rise and warming oceans are affecting coral reefs and nearshore areas. Students will learn satellite mapping, drone surveys, reef modeling and data analysis. They will also work with faculty, community partners and NASA scientists.
Burns directs UH ±á¾±±ô´Ç¡¯²õ , where he creates detailed three-dimensional maps of reefs. Those maps show how storms, bleaching and human activity change reef structure and health over time.
—By Susan Enright
