A $500,000 investment in the newly established Stephen Nomura Endowed Professorship at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s (JABSOM) is helping sustain groundbreaking research into pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a rare genetic disease that affects the skin, eyes and blood vessels.

Approved by the UH Board of Regents in January 2026, the professorship honors the , remembered for his compassion and dedication to patient care. The endowed fund supports genetics research and graduate training in the .

The professorship currently supports Olivier Le Saux, endowed professor of genetics and chair of the department. Â鶹´«Ã½ is home to one of only two PXE research centers in the U.S., where Le Saux advances experimental therapies and supports clinical trials in Europe and the U.S.

Understanding PXE

PXE affects an estimated 1 in 25,000 to 50,000 people worldwide. The disorder causes abnormal calcification of elastic fibers, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications. Though it can have serious consequences, it remains understudied.

It allows us to train graduate students…to become the next generation of scientists.
—Oliver La Saux

Le Saux helped transform PXE from a century-old medical mystery into an active field of research. In 1999, he was part of an intense international race to identify the gene primarily responsible for the disorder.

“We were sprinting to the finish line, shoulder to shoulder,” he recalled. “We were competing furiously but still working together at the same time.”

The breakthrough changed the trajectory for families living with the disease.

“At the time, there was almost no shared knowledge about PXE,” recalled Sharon Terry, whose two children were diagnosed in the 1990s. “Without a genetic explanation, families were left navigating fear and uncertainty on their own.”

Investing in future scientists

For Le Saux, the endowment represents long-term investment in people and discovery.

“This kind of support gives us flexibility,” he said. “It allows us to train graduate students in the Cell and Molecular Biology graduate program at JABSOM to become the next generation of scientists.”

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For their research into therapeutic strategies aimed at combating Alzheimer’s disease, two University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ undergraduate students earned an award at an international biomedical meeting in October.

Christine Lau and Marie Ishida traveled to Daejeon, South Korea, to attend the 13th International Symposium on Selenium in Biology and Medicine. They delivered a poster presentation and an oral presentation describing their work. Lau and Ishida were recognized with an award for Top Poster Presentation from the publisher Springer–Nature.

Lau and Ishida conduct research under the mentorship of UH Researcher Daniel Torres at the , where they study the ability of the micronutrient selenium to counteract the production of tau and beta–amyloid, two proteins involved in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Lau is double majoring in psychology and molecular and cell biology, and recently started her BAM (bachelor’s and master’s) combined degree program for educational psychology. She hopes to go to medical school and become a forensic psychiatrist.

Ishida is majoring in biology, and is working toward attending medical school and becoming a physician. She said, “the symposium was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to witness the various projects that researchers are conducting.”

University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at researcher Jesse Owens has received a $2 million NIH (National Institutes of Health) grant to advance his lab’s pioneering gene-editing technology at the (JABSOM).

Related UH News story: Next generation gene therapy tools built by UH scientist

“This is my dream grant,” said Owens, associate professor at JABSOM’s Department of Cell and Molecular Biology. “It’s the project I’ve always wanted to do. It funds exactly what our lab is passionate about, which is developing safer, more precise tools for gene therapy that can be used across many different diseases.”

The four-year, $2 million R01 award supports Owens’ effort to create a new generation of transposases, the specialized enzymes that insert genes into precise genome locations. Unlike other gene-editing tools such as CRISPR—which cut DNA and can sometimes lead to unwanted mutations during the repair process—Owens’ method replaces genes without cutting or exposing the DNA, allowing for safer and more precise gene delivery.

Refining precision in gene therapy

That precision is the result of years of meticulous research. Graduate student Chris Tran created and tested more than 200 mutated enzymes to find one that makes very few mistakes and changes only the intended genes without affecting others. The lab’s next goal is to improve the system’s “on-target” efficiency—the rate at which genes land exactly where intended.

“Our goal now is to find that perfect balance,” Owens said. “We’ve minimized the off-target effects; now we’re working on boosting the on-target performance so that the system is both incredibly safe and incredibly effective.”

Owens’ lab has already made remarkable progress. Early versions achieved less than 1% gene delivery efficiency. Through years of refinement, the latest system now reaches nearly 100% efficiency, a leap Owens once thought impossible.

“What we didn’t realize early on was just how fine-tuned this system needed to be,” he said. “If you move the target by just two base pairs, the efficiency can drop dramatically. We had to test hundreds of iterations to find the right combination.”

Building tools to fight many diseases

Owens describes his lab as “disease agnostic,” building tools that can be applied broadly, from hemophilia to cystic fibrosis to cancer.

Imagine something that started in your PhD eventually becoming part of a therapy that fights cancer.
—Jesse Owens

“It’s a special type of R01 (grant),” he explained. “It’s not tied to one disease area, which is perfect for us. We can focus on making the best tool possible, and then share it with researchers who specialize in different diseases.”

Ultimately, Owens hopes the technology will accelerate CAR T immunotherapy, which reprograms immune cells to destroy cancer. His team plans to test the system in human T-cells before collaborating with clinical researchers.

“The really exciting thing is that this could one day help treat actual patients,” Owens said. “Imagine something that started in your PhD eventually becoming part of a therapy that fights cancer. That’s what drives us.”

The grant also supports two JABSOM graduate students, providing hands-on experience at the forefront of gene therapy research.

“Dr. Owens and his team are not only advancing the science of gene editing, they’re inspiring the next generation of scientists who will continue our legacy of innovation and discovery,” said JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker.

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The will launch a for students who did not follow a traditional premedical track or who want an additional step to demonstrate readiness for professional school. Coordinated by the (JABSOM) with partners across multiple units, the program, which begins in fall 2026, strengthens academic preparation and creates new pathways into medical and health professions.

Students will take courses in physiology, genetics, biomedical ethics, immunology and statistics, with electives such as neuroscience. A highlight is access to gross anatomy labs—hands-on training typically reserved for medical students—providing rare early exposure to medical-level anatomy.

Building Â鶹´«Ã½’s healthcare workforce

“This program reflects the strength of the UH System as a whole,” said Samuel “Sam” Shomaker, JABSOM dean. “It brings together expertise from across our campuses to create an integrated program rooted in biomedical sciences, life sciences and public health. Just as importantly, this is about building Â鶹´«Ã½’s workforce. By opening access to advanced scientific training and mentoring, we are broadening the pool of qualified applicants and strengthening the healthcare system that depends on them.”

…we aim to prepare students not only for professional schools but also for lifelong learning in biomedical science.
—Olivier LeSaux

Alex Stokes, program director and originator of the certificate, said the program fills a critical need. “Across Â鶹´«Ã½, and especially on the neighbor islands, communities live every day with the reality of too few doctors. Not every student prepares for medical school during their undergraduate years. This certificate provides the extra step some need—whether to strengthen their foundation, gain exposure to courses like gross anatomy, or test themselves against the workload to confirm medicine is the right path.”

Faculty also see the program as a chance to connect science with service.

“The is proud to play a leading role,” said Olivier LeSaux, professor and chair of the department at JABSOM. “By combining rigorous coursework with exposure to diverse disciplines, we aim to prepare students not only for professional schools but also for lifelong learning in biomedical science. This certificate represents an important new pathway for students who want to pursue careers that improve health in Â鶹´«Ã½ and beyond.”

The effort is coordinated by JABSOM and involves its Departments of Cell and Molecular Biology, and , with contributions from the and the at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹.

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With Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Asian populations facing some of the highest diabetes rates in the nation, the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s has received a $2.35 million renewal grant from the National Institutes of Health to expand research, strengthen infrastructure and train the next generation of scientists. In its seventh year of funding, the center is part of UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s Centers for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) and continues to focus on tackling this critical public health challenge.

“Diabetes and prediabetes affect nearly half of the U.S. population, and even more so in underserved communities,” said Mariana Gerschenson, professor in the at the (JABSOM), who leads the initiative as principal investigator. “Our goal is to build a sustainable, collaborative center that addresses both the biological mechanisms and health differences associated with diabetes in Â鶹´«Ã½ and the Pacific.”

Related UH News story: $11.7M grant renewal advances diabetes research in Â鶹´«Ã½

Since its inception, the center has played a pivotal role in mentoring seven research leaders and seven pilot investigators. Phase 2 will significantly expand this mission through several key initiatives:

• Investigating diabetic complications: Focused research on complications that occur at higher rates in racial and ethnic minorities.
• Faculty recruitment: Bringing in four new tenure-track faculty members specializing in translational diabetes and insulin resistance research.
• Pipeline development: Supporting pilot projects to cultivate a robust pipeline of future research leaders.
• Community engagement: Strengthening community outreach through an annual symposium and enhanced digital resources.

The renewed award will support key research project leaders, including cell and molecular biology faculty Kathryn Schunke and Michael Ortega, as well as graduate students, postdocs, and the led by Chair Olivier Le Saux.

Innovative research projects

Current research projects at the Diabetic Research Center are exploring innovative solutions and deeper understandings of diabetes, including:

• Developing non-invasive sweat sensors for monitoring complications.
• Studying the genomic links between diabetes and stroke in Native Hawaiians.
• Understanding diabetic autonomic neuropathy using animal models.
• Investigating diabetic renal disease using animal models.

When retired U.S. Army Col. Jason Barnhill steps into the lab at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ (JABSOM), he brings more than 30 years of active duty experience and a mission to protect soldiers on the battlefield.

Barnhill, now an associate professor in JABSOM’s , is working to build human tissue models through bioprinting, a cutting-edge technique that uses “bio-inks” instead of plastic to produce organ-like structures. These models, created from human stem cells, could help improve treatments for burns, chemical exposure, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and more.

This work is part of a new collaboration between UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ and the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC).

“We plan to use these models for biomedical testing, instead of using animal models,” said Barnhill. “Animal models have various drawbacks that we hope to avoid with our models.”

Barnhill explains that human-based models are more accurate than testing on animals. “Reactions in human genomes are very distinct to those in ‘little white lab mice,’” he said. “It’s really critical that we develop bioprinting and other advanced manufacturing techniques here in HawaiÊ»i because we’re so isolated. Ideally we can build up our capacity and then be in a position to assist others.“

A personal focus on eye health

While the partnership covers a range of threats, Barnhill is particularly drawn to eye research. “I’m especially interested in the cornea… and how we could make models of the cornea that could then be used to look at chemical exposure or infectious disease exposure,” he said.

Inspired by a family history of macular degeneration, he’s also exploring the idea of 3D-printed contact lenses that could protect against chemical burns.

“I’ve been tossing around the idea with some of my colleagues (at DEVCOM)…maybe being able to 3D print some type of contact lens or other thing that would be protective for the eye,” Barnhill said.

A return home to Â鶹´«Ã½

Barnhill’s ties to Â鶹´«Ã½ run deep. After arriving in 2000 for a master’s in biomedical sciences at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, he kept returning—earning his PhD, working at Tripler Hospital, and living in the islands for more than a decade.

Related UH News story: New UH manufacturing tech makes wearable health sensors more affordable, September 2024

“Really, Â鶹´«Ã½ has become home for me and my family,” he said.

Now, he’s mentoring undergraduates at JABSOM and hopes to spark collaborations across UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, including with Associate Professor Tyler Ray from the , whose lab houses several bioprinting devices.

“Â鶹´«Ã½‘s home for me now, so I want to help my home as much as I can,” said Barnhill. “I’m excited to have the chance to do this work that I think will be beneficial to both our service members and to the people of Â鶹´«Ã½.”

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University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ medical student, Ryan Hiroshi “Keliʻi” Shontell, is highlighting the significance of breaking down Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) data to address health disparities, particularly cancer, more effectively.

Shontell, who earned his PhD in in 2023 and is currently pursuing his MD at the , is driven by his personal experience of witnessing his family members suffer from cancer.

“My father, my grandmother, great grandfather, grandfather—there’s tons, tons of cancer on my Hawaiian side,” said Shontell, who noticed a stark contrast in his family’s health compared to his Japanese side. “There’s just so little data available to improve outcomes. It’s one of my biggest goals—to fill these gaps so others don’t have to go through these family hardships with cancer.”

NHPI health data bundled with Asians

Shontell points out that, while NHPI has been a federally recognized racial category since 1997, health data for this group often remains bundled with Asians, masking significant disparities.

“It assumes Native Hawaiians are doing fine, but if you look at data from the and the Â鶹´«Ã½ Tumor Registry—that’s not the case. Native Hawaiians across the board have dismal outcomes for cancer,” he explained, referencing the disconnect between the local research focused on NHPI health outcomes when other groups used NHPI-Asian aggregated data.

Combating Indigenous community invisibility

Under the mentorship of Kekoa Taparra, Shontell joined a collaborative team of researchers from across the country that make up the . The lab’s mission is to combat the invisibility of Indigenous communities by emphasizing the existence of NHPI populations in scientific research and health data collection.

It’s one of my biggest goals—to fill these gaps so others don’t have to go through these family hardships with cancer.
—Ryan Shontell

Taparra Lab researchers, including Shontell, published a study in the that is the first to disaggregate cancer data for NHPI adolescents and young adults (15–39 years old). The study found that NHPI patients face higher risks of late-stage cancer diagnosis and poorer survival rates from cancer overall, particularly for cancers like cervical, colorectal, lymphoma and melanoma, compared to other racial groups.

He highlights a study from the Taparra Lab that found melanoma mortality rates in NHPI are nearly 40% higher than in Caucasians. This disparity was hidden when NHPI data was lumped with Asian-Americans, who generally have better health outcomes.

“These patients aren’t being diagnosed at later stages, but they still have really dismal survival rates, so that needs to be investigated, whether it’s advocating for more directed intervention, more funding to public health programs or more funding for screening programs to be able to decrease that gap in survival between Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander patients and white patients,” Shontell said.

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A University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ graduate student has uncovered new perspectives on heart health and energy metabolism. A study by Katie Lee, a PhD candidate in the (JABSOM), explores the role of the Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) enzyme in the heart’s energy production and stress management. While previous studies have focused on PKM2 in disease contexts, Lee’s work explores its function in healthy hearts.

“People have explored PKM2 in the context of disease,” said Lee. “The disease has already happened, and they’re looking at what can be done with PKM2 to solve it. We wanted to see what PKM2 actually does in healthy hearts, and we discovered that your heart can’t really be healthy without PKM2.”

Energy production, stress management

The study examined mice lacking PKM2 and found a significant depletion of Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy source at the cellular level. Lee’s research highlights that, without PKM2, glucose intended for energy production is diverted to manage oxidative stress—a harmful condition driven by reactive oxygen species.

“The heart needs a lot of energy to contract and to move blood around your body, so it gets that energy by using a lot of sugars, mostly fats and amino acids,” Lee explained. “We wanted to see if PKM2 made processing glucose more efficient and if it helps maintain energy when resources are limited, like oxygen.”

Unexpectedly, Lee and the team found that, in the absence of PKM2, glucose was redirected from energy production to managing oxidative stress, which is often triggered by dysfunctional mitochondria.

“This has been a paper that we’ve been waiting for years to be published, and it’s been a journey to get all the right pieces together,” Lee said. “If anyone’s interested in reading it, they’ll find years worth of data. I’m happy to push it out and move on to the next part!”

Lee’s journey began as an undergraduate biochemistry student at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ and continued through her involvement with JABSOM and the program. She now studies cardiovascular disease as part of the Cell and Molecular Biology program.

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Researchers at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s (JABSOM) have achieved a breakthrough in gene editing that could revolutionize the treatment of genetic diseases such as hemophilia. The new technique enables a faster, safer and more efficient delivery of healthy genes into the body, potentially addressing hundreds of genetic conditions.

This research was published in . The research team is led by Jesse Owens, along with Brian Hew, Ryuei Sato and Sabranth Gupta, from JABSOM‘s and Cell and Molecular Biology Department.

Traditional gene-editing methods, while promising, often struggle with unintended DNA damage because of difficulties in inserting large genetic material, such as whole genes. However, the research team’s method overcomes these challenges by utilizing a specially engineered “super-active integrase” (nucleic acid processing enzyme) that can insert therapeutic genes into the genome with precision and efficiency—achieving success rates of up to 96%.

“It’s like having a ‘paste’ function for the human genome,” said Owens. This advancement allows for the careful insertion of healthy genes without causing DNA breaks, offering hope for more effective and affordable treatments for genetic disorders.

“This could lead to faster and more affordable treatments for a wide range of diseases, potentially impacting hundreds of conditions with a single faulty gene,” added Owens.

Accelerating advanced medical treatment

Beyond gene therapy, this new technique has broader implications for medicine. It can significantly speed up the development of cell lines used in producing therapeutic proteins, which traditionally involves a time-consuming process of randomly inserting genes and then searching for cells that produce the desired proteins.

Owens’ method streamlines the process, delivering genes directly to the desired location in the genome, making the development of biologics and advanced therapies, such as antibodies, more efficient.

“JABSOM takes pride in nurturing talented researchers like Jesse Owens, whose work has the power to create a global impact,” said Sam Shomaker, JABSOM dean. “This research, conducted in our lab in the middle of the Pacific, has the potential to significantly improve the way we treat genetic diseases.”

The JABSOM team continues to explore how this technique can accelerate the development and manufacture of life-saving therapeutics. Owens founded , a 501c3 nonprofit aimed at supporting local research in genetic engineering in Â鶹´«Ã½.

A wearable ring that detects date rape drugs and desalination technology that uses solar thermal conversion to convert seawater into fresh water are just two of the innovative projects that are being developed through an inaugural University of Â鶹´«Ã½ fellowship program.

Launched and managed by the (OIC), is a new and unique program to develop the next generation of technology innovators from within UH’s ranks of PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. The systemwide program is part of a $2.4-million grant from the Office of Naval Research.

Through the one-year program, Patents2Products Fellows will receive intellectual property training, technology transfer guidance and industry mentorship to translate innovative ideas into meaningful commercialization opportunities. This program takes what students have learned and researched during their time at UH to make meaningful impacts on the lives of people in many everyday situations.

Utilizing the regional training program, fellows will assess the commercial landscape and leverage the Lean Startup methodology as a development tool for technology maturation, participate in professional development workshops, and engage in networking opportunities to seek future funding and cross-functional collaborations for continued venture development. Each fellow will receive salary compensation, a stipend for research supplies, and have access to state-of-the art facilities and specialized equipment.

“The Patents2Products program is the first-of-its-kind in the State of Â鶹´«Ã½ and is designed to mature the readiness level of UH-developed, impact-driven technologies in the blue economy and healthcare sectors,” said Steven Auerbach, interim director of OIC. “The program provides in-depth innovation and entrepreneurship training and experience to help develop the next generation of scientists and technologists to translate their world-class research into impactful, commercial products or services that can improve our everyday lives.”

The inaugural cohort of Patents2Products Fellows and their projects include:

• Project: A Wearable Sensor for Detecting Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault Drugs
  Fellow: Kaylee Clark, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ postdoctoral researcher
  Details: The wearable sensor will be a stylish and functional ring equipped with integrated sensors for personal detection of flunitrazepam (also known as Rohypnol) in beverages to mitigate drug-facilitated assaults.
  Faculty sponsor: Tyler Ray, , , College of Engineering and , John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Project: Body Composition Assessment Technology
  Fellow: Jonathan Bennett, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ postdoctoral researcher
  Details: The technology leverages highly effective obesity models to improve access and use particularly in low-middle-income and rural environments to increase awareness and early detection and intervention of body composition risk factors for obesity.
  Faculty sponsor: John Shepherd, , UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Project: eDNA Filtration System
  Fellow: Danielle Bartz, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ PhD candidate
  Details: The eDNA Filtration System allows for the simultaneous filtration of seawater in preparation for environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses to better address ecological questions in aquatic communities.
  Faculty sponsor: Timothy Grabowski, , UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹; , UH Hilo; and Â鶹´«Ã½ Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
• Project: Desalination Technology
  Fellow: Suman Chhetri, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ postdoctoral researcher
  Details: Desalination Technology uses solar thermal conversion to help solve freshwater shortage issues and replace existing energy-intensive processes with sustainable, green technologies for water purification.
  Faculty sponsor: Woochul Lee, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Project: Novel Metagenomic Sequencing Technology
  Fellow: Min Ki (Carl) Jeon, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ PhD candidate
  Details: This new technology will help rapidly characterize influenza diversity and dynamics in wastewater to better inform flu vaccine development.
  Faculty sponsor: Tao Yan, , , College of Engineering, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Project: Expression Vector System
  Fellow: Ludwig Mayerlen, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ PhD candidate
  Details: The system uses an improved insect cell line to develop a fully customizable product that can be used for the expression of almost any protein and provide high-yield production of vaccine antigens.
  Faculty sponsor: Axel Lehrer, , JABSOM, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Project: Programmable Genome Insertion Tool
  Fellow: Christopher Tran, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ PhD candidate
  Details:This tool is designed to actively and accurately incorporate DNA into the genome of somatic cells at specific locations to develop clinical therapies that use insertional vectors to treat genetic disease.
  Faculty sponsor: Jesse Owens, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, JABSOM, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹

“Our mission for Patents2Products is to educate and empower young talent to develop the necessary skills to ripen and shepherd groundbreaking technologies to the marketplace, and explore new pathways to become STEM leaders of emerging industries of our future,” said Rebecca H. Chung, Patents2Products program lead and OIC associate director, innovation programs. “This exciting opportunity will provide fellows with transdisciplinary training to engage in cross-functional research that will build greater innovation capacity and opportunities.”

OIC will begin recruiting for next year’s cohort in fall 2023. An information session for interested faculty sponsors and applicants will be hosted on November 15, 2023. For updates and more information about the Patents2Products program, visit research.hawaii.edu/patents2products or email patents2products@hawaii.edu.