University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa researchers are working to determine whether �鶹��ý-grown eucalyptus could become a reliable source of lumber for construction, helping reduce the state’s reliance on imported building materials while supporting healthier forests.

The project, led by Jun Wang, an assistant professor in the , received a $300,000 USDA Forest Service Wood Innovation Grant to establish the engineering standards needed for eucalyptus to be used in structural applications.

Establishing construction possibilities

Although �鶹��ý has more than 34,000 acres of managed eucalyptus plantations, the wood is rarely used in construction because engineers and builders lack the design data needed to certify it for structural use. If successful, the research could create new opportunities for �鶹��ý’s forestry and wood products industries while reducing shipping costs, supply chain risks and carbon emissions associated with importing lumber. Researchers also say putting more eucalyptus to use could encourage better forest management by reducing excess wood that can contribute to wildfire fuel.

The research team will work with state agencies, forest landowners and industry partners to harvest trees, produce lumber and test its strength and durability. The findings will help establish engineering design values needed for commercial construction and could lay the groundwork for future engineered wood products made in �鶹��ý.

“Our goal is to determine whether a resource that’s already growing in �鶹��ý can safely be used to build the homes, schools and infrastructure our communities need,” Wang said. “If we can provide the engineering data the construction industry needs, we can help create a more resilient local building supply while giving our students the opportunity to solve real challenges facing �鶹��ý.”

Student involvement

The research also will benefit students. Wang’s team received an $8,000 American Society for Engineering Education grant to incorporate �鶹��ý-grown eucalyptus into civil engineering courses. The new curriculum will give students hands-on experience evaluating sustainable building materials by comparing locally grown eucalyptus with conventional construction materials.

Students will examine factors such as structural performance, carbon emissions and local sourcing while participating in research that addresses �鶹��ý’s unique environmental and construction challenges. Many members of the research team are UH students from �鶹��ý who are helping develop solutions that could benefit the state’s future infrastructure and economy.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s (RoSE) is celebrating one of the most successful years in the student engineering organization’s history after earning international recognition, competing on the world stage and expanding its portfolio of aerospace projects.

Over the past spring and summer, the student-led team represented UH Mānoa at several 2026 events:

• University Rover Challenge World Finals (27th out of 116 teams) International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Foundation Excellence in Systems Engineering Award (finalist)
• Project PETAL at NASA’s Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts–Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) Forum

“Our team has grown tremendously in size, number of projects and student ambition throughout the past year,” said Micah Tajiri, project manager for the University Rover Challenge team. “We’re proud to represent UH Mānoa and excited to keep building on this momentum.”

Competing among the world’s best

From May 27 to 30, Team RoSE competed at the University Rover Challenge World Finals at the Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville, Utah.

The team’s rover featured a robotic arm, autonomous navigation system, science payload and communications platform designed and built by students.

The rover team’s work also earned recognition beyond the competition. Team RoSE was named one of just 13 finalists from more than 100 teams worldwide for the inaugural INCOSE Foundation Excellence in Systems Engineering Award, recognizing its systems engineering approach and performance during the competition.

Building Beyond the Rover

Team RoSE‘s success extended beyond the rover program.

Project PETAL was selected as one of 14 finalists from more than 150 applicants nationwide for NASA‘s RASC-AL Forum, where students presented a scalable lunar power management and distribution system to NASA engineers and industry professionals.

Project PETAL became the first multi-campus student-led engineering project involving students from UH Mānoa and UH Hilo, while the organization established new business and marketing training opportunities for students.

Team RoSE also completed the latest iteration of the UH Advanced Balloon Satellite, which now features autonomous recovery capabilities, and launched CapM74, a new student project focused on developing a low-cost astrophotography telescope in partnership with the Institute for Astronomy.

Team RoSE is one of more than 20 (VIP) housed in the . VIPs connect undergraduate students with faculty-led research teams, giving students hands-on experience through long-term, project-based work alongside graduate researchers and faculty mentors.

The team’s work is supported by the College of Engineering and the , whose support helps provide students with opportunities to design, build and compete on national and international stages.

Two University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa research projects have been selected for the inaugural , placing UH’s flagship research campus among a select group of universities and research institutions nationwide using artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate scientific breakthroughs.

In the , the DOE said the projects were selected to develop and demonstrate AI-enabled tools and workflows designed to accelerate breakthroughs in energy, science and national security. Each project is eligible for Phase I awards of $500,000–$750,000 over nine months, providing investigators with the opportunity to develop innovative AI-driven research while positioning them to compete for future Phase II awards of up to $15 million.

“The selection of not one, but two UH Mānoa projects for this highly competitive DOE mission reflects the strength of the UH research community and the creativity of our faculty in pursuing solutions to some of the most complex challenges facing society,” said UH Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Chad B. Walton. “At UH, we are committed to fostering an environment where bold ideas, interdisciplinary collaboration and emerging technologies can come together to create meaningful impact not only in �鶹��ý, but across the nation, and around the world.”

The two UH Mānoa projects selected are led by researchers in the and the .

AI security for critical infrastructure

One project, led by Assistant Professor Liuwan Zhu from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, focuses on improving the security and reliability of AI systems used in critical infrastructure. The project, called STRATOS (Security and Trust Runtime Architecture for Time-critical Operational Science), will develop an AI security platform designed to detect and respond to cyber threats targeting AI systems used in real-time operations, such as electrical grid management and forecasting.

The research team will test the technology using a dual-site platform that includes the UH Mānoa campus microgrid and real-time computing systems at Argonne National Laboratory. The project includes collaborators from Old Dominion University and Argonne National Laboratory.

AI advances the search for extremely rare decay processes

The second project, led by Professor Zepeng Li from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, will develop an AI foundation model to support searches for neutrinoless double beta decay, one of the most important unanswered questions in nuclear and particle physics. Neutrinoless double beta decay is an extremely rare nuclear process that, if observed, could help scientists better understand the nature of neutrinos, the mysterious “ghost particles” that are abundant in the universe and are constantly passing through us without interacting. In particular, this rare decay process could tell us whether the neutrino is its own anti-particle.

Researchers around the world are searching for this phenomenon using different types of detectors, but each experiment typically relies on its own specialized software and analysis methods. Li’s project aims to create a shared AI framework that can learn from data across multiple detector technologies, helping researchers identify patterns, analyze results and improve collaboration among experiments studying this rare event. The project will develop a unified AI framework that streamlines data analysis across the diverse detector technologies used in neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments, accelerating the search for this rare process.

The Genesis Mission brings together DOE laboratories and universities to combine advanced AI, high-performance computing and scientific expertise. UH Mānoa was among 168 universities selected for the first round of Genesis Mission projects, which included a total of 278 research efforts involving more than 340 institutions across the country. Through these projects, UH researchers will contribute to emerging applications of AI in fundamental physics, energy systems and national security, while strengthening �鶹��ý’s role in cutting-edge scientific research.

A team of seven students from the University of �鶹��ý Maui College recently proved their mettle in aerospace engineering. Competing under the name “Team Hoʻomau,” the students traveled to Virginia in June to participate in the 2026 International CanSat Competition, organized by the American Astronautical Society.

The event challenged participants to design, build and operate a small-sized satellite capable of surviving a rocket launch to a peak altitude of approximately 735 meters. Out of 81 university teams and 700 students worldwide, UH Maui College was one of only 36 teams invited to the final competition. Team Hoʻomau was also the only squad composed entirely of two-year college students, competing alongside four-year universities and graduate-level programs.

A high-stakes free fall

The 2026 mission was complex: the CanSat was designed to separate mid-air, navigate via a paraglider guidance system, and safely deliver an intact, egg-shaped instrument to the ground, all while recording video and transmitting live data.

Team Hoʻomau faced major hurdles during the launch process. Communication with the ground station was lost on the launch pad, and a parachute deployment failure sent the satellite container into a 2,400-foot free fall. The drop resulted in the total destruction of the payload, and added a moment of intense stress as the falling satellite narrowly missed a parking area during its descent.

Educational payoff

Despite the dramatic finish, the educational payoff of the mission was a success.

“Although the final launch results were not favorable, this project provided invaluable, real-world learning opportunities in mechatronics, mission operations and aerospace system design,” said Jung Park, professor of electronic and computer engineering technology. “Our team faced immense technical constraints, yet their advancement to the finals proves unequivocally that community college students can compete successfully on an international engineering stage.”

Led by team captain Forrest Stolmeier, who sacrificed sleep to support his peers until the very end, the students walked away with valuable systems engineering experience and a newly expanded global professional network.

A University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa faculty member has received a $660,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award to study how fuel contamination can affect drinking water during the treatment process.

Emily Marron, an assistant specialist in the and cooperating graduate faculty and instructor in the , will lead the five-year project, which runs through June 2031.

The research focuses on what happens when chlorine—commonly used to disinfect drinking water—reacts with fuel that has entered water supplies after spills or leaks. While chlorine is regularly added to drinking water systems to help control bacterial growth and eliminate harmful pathogens, it can also react with fuel-related chemicals to create unintended byproducts that may pose health risks.

Marron and her research team will use advanced analytical chemistry techniques, such as high-resolution mass spectrometry, to identify the compounds formed during these reactions, measure how quickly they develop and better understand how fuel changes over time affect water treatment. The findings could improve how contaminated drinking water systems are evaluated and treated following fuel releases.

Clean drinking water, complex contamination

“Clean drinking water is something every community depends on,” Marron said. “I hope this research gives scientists and water professionals better tools to understand complex contamination events and make informed decisions that help protect public health.”

The project could also provide new insight into the types of chemical compounds people might have been exposed to in drinking water following the Red Hill fuel contamination in 2021. Rather than recreating the specific conditions of the Red Hill incident, the research will use controlled laboratory experiments to build a scientific framework for studying fuel-contaminated water. The research could also help inform public health decisions and improve response strategies during contamination events.

In addition to the research, the project includes education and community outreach. Marron will develop an undergraduate teaching module in partnership with local water professionals, including the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, to give students hands-on learning opportunities in environmental chemistry and drinking water treatment.

The project will also establish a community-centered laboratory that expands access to low-cost drinking water testing. The effort is designed to help residents better understand water quality, environmental chemistry and the science behind keeping drinking water safe.

The NSF CAREER program is among the foundation’s most notable awards for early-career faculty, recognizing researchers who integrate innovative research with education and community engagement.

As the nation invests $52.7 billion to strengthen domestic semiconductor design and manufacturing, research and workforce development, University of �鶹��ý students are gaining a direct pathway into one of the country’s fastest-growing and most strategically important technology sectors.

UH Mānoa has joined the (PINES), a regional coalition of 30 universities and colleges, industry partners and workforce organizations working together to prepare students for careers in semiconductor design, manufacturing and research. PINES is led by the SEMI Foundation and supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Semiconductors, often called the “brains” of modern electronics, power technologies used every day, including smartphones, computers and automobiles, as well as artificial intelligence, satellites, medical devices, renewable energy systems and national defense technologies.

professors Boris Murmann, Jeff Weldon and Jennifer Ott led UH’s successful effort to become part of the network, which spans nine western states and �鶹��ý. The initiative aims to better connect students with educational opportunities, hands-on training, internships and industry partnerships while aligning university programs with the needs of employers.

“This partnership gives our students the chance to receive training in technologies that are shaping the future while building careers in a rapidly expanding industry,” said UH Mānoa Dean Brennon Morioka. “By connecting �鶹��ý with a broader regional ecosystem, we can help develop homegrown talent, strengthen innovation across the islands and ensure our graduates are prepared to make an impact wherever their careers take them.”

The effort comes as demand for skilled workers continues to outpace supply. A May 2026 analysis by the SEMI Foundation and McKinsey projected a shortage of between 127,000 and 157,000 semiconductor workers nationwide by 2030, highlighting the need for expanded education and workforce development programs.

UH’s participation builds on its growing leadership in microelectronics. In 2024, the university joined a Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley-led initiative that gives students experience with the complete chip development process, from circuit design to manufacturing and testing. For more on UH’s microelectronics internship, .

By joining PINES, UH students will have greater access to regional collaborations and career pathways while helping strengthen �鶹��ý’s role in the nation’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem. The partnership will also give UH faculty access to shared curriculum, educational resources and best practices developed by universities and industry leaders across the network.

Related UH News stories:

• UH microelectronics program builds pipeline of homegrown talent, October 9, 2025
• $15.3M funding fuels microelectronics innovation, August 27, 2024
• UH professor aims to develop microchips for future, diversify economy, March 25, 2024

A University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa research team has received advanced computing hardware through the to support work on artificial intelligence (AI) and next-generation wireless communication technologies.

Led by Assistant Professor in collaboration with Associate Professor , the team was selected to receive four NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell graphics processing units. The high-performance computer processors will support research on AI, next-generation wireless networks, cybersecurity and other emerging communication technologies. The computing resources will strengthen UH Mānoa’s research capabilities while expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in AI and wireless networking technologies.

“Our goal is to build wireless systems that are not only faster but also smarter and more adaptable to real-world environments,” Xue said. “These new computing resources will accelerate our research while giving students valuable experience with the tools that are shaping the future of communications and AI.”

Practical solutions, wireless networks

The project is part of UH Mānoa’s growing efforts in communications, cyber-physical systems and networked infrastructure. Through collaborations with academic and industry partners, the research team aims to develop practical solutions for future wireless networks while addressing challenges relevant to �鶹��ý’s transportation, logistics and critical infrastructure sectors.

Part of the team’s research focuses on creating digital models of smart ports that combine wireless sensing, AI-powered radio access networks and real-time infrastructure monitoring. The technology could help improve operations at ports and other large transportation hubs, where moving vehicles, shipping containers and changing conditions can interfere with wireless signals.

The research also supports broader efforts to improve connected infrastructure with potential applications in transportation systems, logistics and other environments that rely on dependable communication networks.

Beyond advancing research, the NVIDIA award will provide new opportunities for workforce development by allowing students to work directly with cutting-edge computing technology used in industry and academia.

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa graduate students across a wide range of disciplines took their research beyond the classroom this spring, translating complex ideas into hands-on experiences for Oʻahu middle school students through the inaugural Graduate Research Outreach Workshop (GROW).

The three-week program in April brought together a cohort of 10 students to strengthen their ability to communicate research in clear, engaging ways for non-specialist audiences. Participants learned to summarize their work in jargon-free language, discuss its real-world importance and create interactive exhibits that make research accessible to the public.

The workshop culminated in a research outreach fair at Waipahu Intermediate School, where approximately 60 students in career and technical student organization programs explored exhibits led by the graduate students. Waipahu Intermediate faculty advisers and school administrators also attended the event, which highlighted higher education opportunities and showcased the diverse research taking place at UH.

“Research has the greatest impact when people can understand it and connect it to their own lives,” UH Mānoa Fellowships, Scholarships, and Professional Development Coordinator Kristen Connors said. “GROW gave our graduate students the opportunity to practice an essential professional skill while also building meaningful relationships with young learners who may one day pursue their own paths in higher education and research.”

The program was organized by the , and Interim Assistant Vice Provost for Student Academic Success Amy Hubbard, Hamilton Library and the .

Beyond developing communication skills, the program aimed to build stronger connections between the university and the community while encouraging younger students to see themselves as future researchers, innovators and problem-solvers.

A post-program evaluation found participants responded positively to the experience. All respondents said the workshop met their expectations and that they would recommend it to others. Most also reported feeling more prepared and confident explaining their research through writing, visuals and conversations with public audiences.

A University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa researcher has received a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to help advance quantum technology, a fast-growing field that could improve everything from medical imaging to environmental monitoring.

The three-year project, led by Assistant Professor Bo-Han Wu in UH Mānoa’s in the , will focus on building smarter quantum sensor networks. Quantum sensors are highly sensitive devices that can detect extremely small changes in signals, such as temperature, light or electromagnetic activity, with greater precision than many current technologies.

Tackling real-world situations

The research aims to combine quantum science with artificial intelligence and machine learning to help sensors work together more efficiently and adapt to changing conditions. The project begins June 1 and runs through May 2029.

“This project is about helping quantum technologies move from theory into tools that can solve real-world problems,” Wu said. “�鶹��ý offers a unique real-world setting for quantum sensor research, where advanced sensors could help address island challenges in ocean monitoring, disaster preparedness and resilient communications.”

For �鶹��ý residents, the technology could eventually support improvements in areas that directly affect daily life, including disaster monitoring, climate and ocean research, healthcare and communications systems. More advanced sensors could help scientists detect environmental changes earlier, improve the accuracy of medical scans and strengthen future wireless and satellite networks.

One major challenge in quantum technology is that quantum signals are extremely delicate and can easily be disrupted by noise or interference. Wu’s team will study ways to make these systems more stable, reliable and practical for real-world use.

The project will also help grow �鶹��ý’s role in the emerging quantum technology field, which is expected to become an important part of future science and engineering industries. In addition to research, the grant will support education and workforce training through new courses, open-source software tools and outreach activities designed to introduce more students to quantum science and engineering.

The award was funded through the National Science Foundation’s Foundations of Emerging Technologies program, in collaboration with Professor Hyeongrak Choi from Stony Brook University, which supports research in cutting-edge technologies with potential long-term national impact.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa has completed its inaugural Spring 2026 Professional Mentorship Program, connecting students with industry professionals in an effort to strengthen student success and career readiness.

The 14-week pilot program paired 20 engineering students with 20 mentors in individualized, one-on-one matches. Selected from more than 50 applicants, cohort students ranged from first-year undergraduates to graduate students.

Mentors brought diverse experience from across the engineering field, including leadership roles in renewable energy, aerospace and advanced technology. Participants included professionals affiliated with organizations such as NASA Ames Research Center, Lockheed Martin Space and Hawaiian Electric, as well as alumni who returned to support the next generation of engineers.

Student, alumni, professional, mentor

One of those professionals was Wendy McLain, a senior civil engineer and deputy manager at SSFM International, Inc. McLain mentored major Ashton Quichocho. She highlighted Quichocho’s willingness to step outside her comfort zone, explore different career paths and develop both technical and leadership skills along the way.

“It was really rewarding getting to give back,” McLain said. “There’s this sense of responsibility and kuleana to be able to do the same for others that have done for us, and especially now in our field and industry. We need more talent, so it’s really exciting to see all of the exciting new talent that’s up and coming.”

Quichocho, a graduating senior, called it a “full-circle moment” because she will soon be working full-time with McLain at SSFM International, Inc.

“I learned a lot about myself and the direction I want to go post-grad,” Quichocho said. “In the beginning, I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do or what I was going to apply for, and I’m glad that this program was able to give me Wendy because she had so much career advice for me, but also life advice for me, too.”

Throughout the semester, mentors and mentees met at least twice monthly, engaging in conversations focused on academic planning, internships, career pathways and professional development. Many pairs expanded those interactions through workplace visits, job shadowing and collaborative activities that offered students direct exposure to real-world engineering environments.

Created by students for students

Members of the helped to run the pilot program.

“As students ourselves, we wanted to create something that reflected what we believed would be most beneficial, which led us to build a mentorship program,” said Dayza Otsuka-Cabodol, an ESA who was part of the planning committee. “Working closely with our committee and continuously adjusting based on feedback, we watched the vision come together week by week.”

Organizers plan to expand the program in fall 2026, building on lessons from the pilot to reach more students and mentors. The next cohort aims to further strengthen connections between the college and industry while continuing to support student success across all stages of the engineering pathway. Apply online as or for the fall 2026 program.

A common emergency room issue—objects stuck in children’s ears—is driving innovation through the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s (MIND) �鶹��ý competition.

(JABSOM) pediatric emergency physician Travis Hong said the problem is more frequent than many expect.

“You’d be surprised how often kids come in with things stuck in their ears—beads, food, small toy parts,” Hong said. “I see these cases at least every couple of weeks, if not more.”

Removing those objects safely can be challenging and sometimes requires improvisation.

“A lot of ER care involves figuring out what works in the moment,” Hong said. “In some cases, we use a small amount of medical-grade adhesive on a cotton swab to try to extract the object—but it requires precision, and the child has to stay very still.”

Student-driven solution

That challenge inspired this year’s winning team in the MIND �鶹��ý competition.

“We wanted to create something safer, more controlled and designed specifically for this problem,” said Aileen Ferrer, a JABSOM student and leader of the StickieEars team.

The team developed a hybrid suction-adhesive device to improve safety and control during removal.

“It’s a common issue, but there isn’t a standardized tool,” Ferrer said. “We saw an opportunity to improve that.”

Developing the prototype required collaboration across disciplines—central to MIND’s mission. The annual competition brings together students from across campus, including JABSOM, the , the and the , to tackle real-world healthcare challenges.

Working with students and mentors from different backgrounds changed how we approached the problem.
—Aileen Ferrer

“Working with students and mentors from different backgrounds changed how we approached the problem,” Ferrer said. “That collaboration was one of the most valuable parts of the experience.”

“Students are addressing real clinical needs, and the level of innovation in these projects is exciting to see,” said faculty advisor Peter Di Rocco, clinical assistant professor at JABSOM.

Ferrer hopes StickieEars will eventually reach clinical use.

“I think this could have a real impact in everyday practice and make a difference for patients,” she said.

.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa has received nearly $1 million in new federal funding—including a National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award—for research led by Assistant Professor Tianlu Wang to develop tiny, flexible robots designed to work in hard-to-reach environments, from coral reefs to the human body.

The funding includes a five-year, $659,613 CAREER award and a two-year, $299,997 Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Research Fellows grant, both from NSF.

“By focusing on both performance and safety, we’re working to make miniature robots practical for real-world use in places that are difficult to reach,” said Wang from UH Mānoa’s . “This research brings us closer to technologies that can better support healthcare and protect sensitive environments.”

The CAREER project focuses on improving how small “soft” robots move and function in fluids such as the ocean or inside the body. These robots, about the size of a few millimeters to centimeters, can adapt to their surroundings. However, they currently lack the speed, agility and manipulation capabilities as seen in small marine organisms. The research aims to change that by developing new ways for the robots to interact with fluids, helping them move faster, turn more easily and handle objects. Potential uses include exploring coral reefs and mangroves, monitoring aquaculture systems and reaching difficult areas of the body for medical diagnosis or treatment. The project also supports student learning through new courses, research opportunities and public outreach.

The CAREER program is the NSF’s flagship award for early-career faculty in the U.S., supporting those who show strong potential to lead in both research and education. CAREER awardees are also eligible for nomination to the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, a White House honor recognizing innovative research and leadership.

Safety and environmentally friendly design

The EPSCoR fellowship focuses on safety and environmentally friendly design. In collaboration with the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, the project will develop miniature soft robots made from materials that are safer for natural environments and medical use. It will also establish methods for designing and testing these robots to ensure they can operate effectively without causing harm. The work is expected to expand research opportunities at UH, while training students in robotics, materials science and biomedical engineering.

Wang also serves as an adjunct assistant professor at The Queen’s Medical Center and a cooperating faculty in UH Mānoa’s .

Related UH News stories:

• Heart tech, mini medical robot breakthrough: UH researcher earns $230K award, April 8, 2026
• Bio-inspired breakthroughs: Engineering solutions from nature, August 26, 2025
• Team of microscopic soft robots could transform medical care, November 10, 2024
• Robot tech to clean oceans wows international summit, February 6, 2024

A University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa senior student has earned one of Stanford University’s most competitive graduate awards, underscoring the growing impact of UH Mānoa’s engineering programs.

Andrea Murillo, who is graduating this spring, has been admitted to the PhD program in electrical engineering at Stanford and is believed to be the first UH Mānoa recipient of the Stanford Graduate Fellowship, an award given annually to about 100 incoming doctoral students across the university. The fellowship provides up to three years of funding, including tuition and stipend support, to top scholars in science and engineering fields.

Murillo’s path at UH Mānoa reflects a multidisciplinary journey shaped by hands-on research and mentorship. She began her undergraduate journey as a mechanical engineering major before transitioning to computer engineering and ultimately electrical engineering in the electrophysics track, where she found her passion in mixed-signal circuit design.

Through work in several research labs, including projects on embedded systems, TinyML (Tiny Machine Learning), and integrated circuit design, Murillo discovered a passion for building more efficient hardware. She plans to continue that work at Stanford, focusing on circuit design and new technologies that can make electronics faster and use less energy.

Meet more amazing UH graduates

“My experiences at UH helped me discover not just what I enjoy studying, but how I want to contribute to the field,” said Murillo, who is an international student from Mexico. “The support from faculty, mentors and my peers gave me the confidence to pursue graduate school and aim for opportunities like this.”

Community leadership

Beyond the classroom, Murillo has been active in the community as a leader in the FabLab maker space, a member of engineering student organizations and a leader who won an award at the 2024 Honolulu Tech Week hackathon.

Her achievement highlights the role of UH Mānoa in preparing students for advanced study and contributing to innovation in high-demand fields such as electrical engineering and artificial intelligence hardware.

“By leveraging the full breadth of opportunities at UH, Andrea developed a profound understanding of the grand challenges facing contemporary hardware design. Reflecting her unwavering commitment to excellence, she has secured a place in one of the country’s most prestigious doctoral programs,” said UH Mānoa Professor Boris Murmann, who mentored Murillo and was on the faculty at Stanford for 20 years.

Murillo is expected to begin her doctoral studies this fall.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa hosted its 26th annual banquet, bringing together approximately 1,000 students, faculty, alumni, industry leaders and supporters to celebrate the innovation and impact the college has on the state of �鶹��ý.

Held on April 17 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the event began with a student project expo, where dozens of teams presented hands-on work across aerospace, robotics, sustainability and artificial intelligence. Projects included bioinspired soft robotics systems, student-built satellites, autonomous drones and renewable energy solutions aligned with campus sustainability goals, offering attendees a firsthand look at applied learning with real-world relevance.

Following welcome remarks by Dean Brennon Morioka, UH President Wendy Hensel and �鶹��ý Gov. Josh Green, as well as dinner service, the formal program featured an awards ceremony recognizing contributions to the engineering community. Dayna Nemoto-Shima (Pacific Geotechnical Engineers, Inc.) and Brandon Shima (UH) received the Outstanding Service Award, Greg Hiyakumoto (R.M. Towill Corporation) was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award, and Bharath Kadaba (Lu Labs) earned the Dean’s Award of Excellence.

Connecting talent with opportunity

“The future of engineering in �鶹��ý depends on how well we connect talent with opportunity, and those relationships happen because of the people who attended our annual banquet,” College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka said. “Our industry partners and donors are the heart and soul of our local economy and help create pathways for students to lead, to solve and to stay and make a difference right here at home.”

The formal program also highlighted the featured student project, the unexploded ordnance (UXO) project. The multidisciplinary effort applies advanced sensing technologies and robotics to safely detect unexploded ordnance in �鶹��ý, addressing long-standing environmental and public safety challenges.

“I got the opportunity to go to the 21 years of peace celebration at Mākua Valley and it really was an amazing opportunity to actually get to talk to the community and we got to talk to students too,” said UXO student project leader Kamalani Goo. “It was really instilled in me that we need to be having these conversations and building these relationships because no one truly understands the issues as well as the community that is experiencing them.”

The event concluded with a live auction and more networking, celebrating the shared commitment to advancing engineering in �鶹��ý. The college extended its mahalo to donors and �鶹��ý’s engineering industry for their continued support, including mentorship, internships and career development opportunities that help shape student success. All net proceeds from the annual banquet goes directly to supporting the many student projects showcased at the event.

Franklin Kuo, a pioneering engineer whose work helped lay the foundation for modern wireless communications, died April 14. He was 91.

Kuo, a professor emeritus in electrical and computer engineering at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa, co-developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s with colleague Norman Abramson. The system, launched in 1971, was the world’s first wireless packet network and introduced protocols that underpin technologies such as ethernet and wi-fi.

Educated in electrical engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Kuo began his career at Bell Laboratories in the early 1960s, conducting research in computer communications. He joined UH Mānoa in 1966 as a full professor, where his work on ALOHAnet helped place the university on the global map in networking innovation.

“This is a profound loss for our college and the global engineering community,” College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka said. “Frank’s vision and leadership helped establish a culture of bold, boundary-pushing research at UH Mānoa that continues to inspire our faculty and students today. His legacy lives on in the spirit of innovation that defines who we are. Both Frank and his wife Dora have been valuable members of our Engineering ʻohana.”

Related UH News stories on ALOHAnet:

• 50 years of ALOHAnet honored, new endowed scholarship announced, June 16, 2021
• Pioneering wireless technology ALOHAnet honored as engineering milestone, October 13, 2020

Kuo also authored some of the earliest books in the field, including one of the first texts on computer communication networks published in 1972. Beyond academia, Kuo served as director of information systems at the Pentagon in the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the late 1970s. He later led networking and information systems projects at SRI International, contributing to early architecture for the National Science Foundation’s network, a precursor to today’s internet infrastructure.

He was a member of national advisory efforts on high-performance computing and consulted for federal science and technology initiatives. In 1994, he co-founded a wireless communications company focused on mobile messaging technologies. Kuo was an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers fellow and a recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Award.

A celebration of life is expected in May.

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, an assistant professor in the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa , has received the Career Development Award from the to advance medical research and technology for vascular and heart health. The three-year, $230,727 award supports promising early-career investigators working on innovative solutions in cardiovascular and related biomedical research.

“I am very honored to receive this award,” Wang said. “This support allows us to explore bold ideas that could change how we approach medical treatment inside the human body, while building a strong network of collaborators who bring different expertise to the table. It’s a great opportunity to train the next generation of engineers and create technologies that could one day make procedures safer and less invasive.”

Wang’s project focuses on developing miniature soft robotics combined with artificial intelligence to create new medical devices that can navigate hard-to-reach areas of the body and enhance the function of cardiovascular and neurovascular systems. The work builds on Wang’s previous research on soft robotics inspired by diverse marine life. By studying how small aquatic animals move efficiently through complex environments, his team designs flexible robots that can safely operate in delicate spaces, such as inside the human body.

Related UH News stories:

• Bio-inspired breakthroughs: Engineering solutions from nature, August 26, 2025
• Team of microscopic soft robots could transform medical care, November 10, 2024
• Robot tech to clean oceans wows international summit, February 6, 2024

The award also supports collaboration and mentorship with scientists from UH Mānoa’s , The Queen’s Medical Center, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These partnerships aim to strengthen research and expand real-world applications of miniature soft robotics in healthcare.

Wang also serves as an adjunct assistant professor at The Queen’s Medical Center and a cooperating faculty in UH Mānoa’s .

The project highlights UH Mānoa’s growing role in robotics and biomedical engineering, with a focus on developing technologies that can improve patient care and address complex health challenges such as sudden cardiac arrest.

Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation’s top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

UH Mānoa’s (JABSOM) also placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and UH �ᾱ����’s ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked UH Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“UH Mānoa’s strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and �鶹��ý can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these UH News stories on previous years’ rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the �鶹��ýlaw school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation’s best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master’s and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in �鶹��ý to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation’s top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation’s top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation’s best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation’s best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation’s best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

UH Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa ballroom dance team won its third consecutive national title at the (NCDC), in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 27–29.

Competing against 37 colleges, UH Mānoa once again took first place for “highest point average,” as well as a close second place for the overall team championship, asserting its place among the nation’s top ballroom dance college teams. Winning top honors in the highest point average requires most team members to perform exceptionally well in all events.

The dancers of the Ballroom Dance Club @UHM—a registered independent organization at UH Mānoa—are trained and coached by Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti. Narayan and Sumukti also represented �鶹��ý in the senior age division placing 1st in several events.

“We are no longer the underdogs, so all the other colleges are looking at us as the team to beat,” said Narayan, who is also an adjunct faculty member in the UH Mānoa . “The bar is getting raised higher and higher each year, but we prevailed once again. We are incredibly proud of the dedication of our dancers who put in many hours to prepare for this competition. We are grateful for the incredible support we have received from the entire ballroom community in the state of �鶹��ý.”

The Ballroom Dance Club @UHM was formed in September 2022, and the team took first place for “highest team average” in 2024 and 2025.

“Nationals was an amazing and eye-opening experience for me,” said Caleb Zerbe, who competed in the nationals for the first time. “Getting to see so many people dance and enjoy themselves on the floor made me realize how fun dancing can be, even at the highest stages. It was a moment that helped me build a lot of confidence, and one that I will never forget.”

Christopher Ramirez, who competed on all three victorious UH Mānoa teams, added, “Given the opportunity to compete at my third nationals, there is always something new to learn. Winning for the third year in a row has reminded me just how incredible it is to be a part of this team.”

Tough competition

NCDC is a grueling competition with events starting at 7 a.m. every morning. It consisted of multiple events based on proficiency (bronze, silver, gold, etc.). Each student danced in up to 32 different events at the bronze and silver skill levels. They competed in all four styles of ballroom dance including International Standard (waltz, tango, viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep), American Smooth (waltz, tango, foxtrot and viennese waltz), American Rhythm (chacha, rumba, swing, bolero and mambo) and International Latin (samba, chacha, rumba, paso doble and jive).

Several students took individual first place awards in their respective divisions defeating up to 70 other competitors in some events. This trip was designed to give the team exposure to a collegiate competition, as �鶹��ý has no statewide collegiate ballroom competitions.

More about the Ballroom Dance Club

The Ballroom Dance Club offers beginner classes to all UH Mānoa students, faculty and staff in studio 2 in the athletics department from 6—7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. No dance experience is required. For more information, or visit their Instagram page @bdcuhm.

The team would like to thank the Department of Information and Computer Sciences, UH Mānoa Department of Athletics, Student Activity and Program Fee Board, Associated Students of the University of �鶹��ý, USA Dance Honolulu and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation for facility and financial support.

UH Mānoa 2026 nationals collegiate and adult team roster:

• Ravi Narayan, faculty (computer science), coach and alumnus
• Synthia Sumukti, coach and alumna
• ʻAulani Wagner, library science and American studies
• Alexander Picken, Earth science
• Amanda Kanthack, psychology and Japanese
• Caleb Zerbe, computer science
• Christopher Ramirez, linguistics
• Christopher Wright, electrical engineering
• Courtney Hisamoto, computer science
• D’Elle Martin, architecture
• Elijah Saloma, computer science
• Gregory Snyder, mechanical engineering
• Hannah Madiam, kinesiology
• Iris Calauan, pre-nursing
• Jonathan Bona, civil engineering
• Julietta Lopez, architecture
• Kanaru Ebi, psychology
• Karl Merritt, mechanical engineering
• Luis Hernandez, electrical and computer engineering
• Lyndsey Moku, political science
• Maya Ito, psychology
• Michaella Villanueva, computer science
• Noah Asano, computer science
• Samantha Reed, computer science
• Shaelyn Loo, computer science
• Tessa Heidkamp, journalism and political science
• Andrew Lin, computer science alumnus
• Sydney Kim, computer science alumna
• Jason Aguda, computer engineering alumnus
• Matthew Rummel, political science and business alumnus
• Ariel Ramos, cinematic arts animation alumna
• Yong-Sung Masuda, computer science alumnus
• Wilson Tran, computer science alumnus
• Florence Liu, faculty, mathematics

Luis Hernandez and Maya Ito dancing the American Cha-cha in the Collegiate Team Match where UH Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Elijah Saloma and Michaella Villanueva dancing the International Quickstep in the Collegiate Team Match where UH Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti dancing the Mambo in the Senior IV American Rhythm Championship final. (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

Students cheering for their coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

Among the finalists in a national NASA competition focused on advancing technologies for future space exploration is a student-led engineering team from the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa and UH Hilo.

(Robotic Space Exploration) is one of 14 university teams selected for the 2026 . The challenge invites students to develop innovative concepts supporting sustained human activity on the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Powering lunar operations

The team’s proposal, (Power Energy Transfer Architecture for the Lunar), centers on building a scalable power management and distribution system for lunar operations. The concept integrates multiple energy sources and storage methods, including nuclear power and energy stored using lunar soil, to support long-term missions and lays the groundwork for future applications on Mars.

As a finalist, Project PETAL received a $7,000 award to support participation in the RASC-AL Forum, scheduled for June 1–4, in Cocoa Beach, Florida. During the forum, students will present their work to NASA engineers and industry professionals while refining their concepts through technical feedback. The top-performing teams will be recognized for technical merit, innovation and presentation excellence.

“Being part of this project has shown us what it takes to develop a concept that could be considered for future lunar and Mars missions,” said Nathan Chong, project manager of Project PETAL and UH Mānoa computer engineering freshman. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to collaborate across campuses and push ourselves to think at a much higher level.”

The project also aligns with broader UH efforts supporting NASA’s Artemis missions, including a lunar rover instrument being developed at UH Mānoa that is slated to fly as part of the Artemis 5 mission. The work creates opportunities to connect student-led projects such as PETAL with real-world systems headed to the Moon.

Space science and engineering initiative

Project PETAL members are primarily from engineering and related STEM disciplines at UH Mānoa and UH Hilo. The interdisciplinary effort emphasizes hands-on design, systems integration and real-world problem-solving. Faculty advisors supporting the project include Matthew Siegler and Marvin Young from UH Mānoa, and Branden Allen from UH Hilo.

Project PETAL is part of , which aims to expand space technology development and hands-on student training. Launched in 2024, the initiative provides students with opportunities to work on advanced space systems while building �鶹��ý’s capacity in aerospace engineering and instrumentation. It is a collaboration among UH Mānoa’s College of Engineering, the Institute for Astronomy and UH Hilo.

Team RoSE is one of more than 20 at UH Mānoa, which seek to foster long-term, in-depth, project-based learning to engage students and better prepare them for future careers.

More about Project PETAL

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa is expanding its environmental monitoring and research capabilities thanks to a $30,000 donation from the �鶹��ý Water Environment Association (HWEA).

The HWEA gift will help upgrade the college’s environmental engineering lab through the acquisition of advanced instruments—most notably a state-of-the-art gas chromatograph system that acts like a high-tech “nose” that can sniff out and measure different gases in the air—expanding UH’s ability to analyze environmental samples with higher precision. The measurement of greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, as well as compounds tied to odor and corrosion concerns, are key issues for wastewater facilities, community health and regulatory compliance.

“This gift is a vital investment in the research and education capacity of our Environmental Biotechnology Research Group at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa,” said Zhiyue Wang, assistant professor in the and the . “By supporting everything from the acquisition of advanced analytical equipment and software to student travel and professional seminars, these resources allow us to maintain the high-level technology and scholarly records necessary to solve �鶹��ý’s most pressing environmental challenges.”

The upgraded instruments will also provide new learning opportunities for students through lab instruction, capstone projects and research experiences involving advanced analytical techniques used across commercial and municipal laboratories. It also opens the door for deeper collaboration and knowledge exchange between UH and water environment professionals statewide, including potential lab tours, seminars and shared learning opportunities.

The lab’s enhanced capabilities align with HWEA’s mission to protect and enhance �鶹��ý’s water environment by supporting research at the intersection of air and water quality and by helping train the future workforce in modern analytical methods.