The recognized students, faculty and program contributors at its annual award ceremony on April 24.

The event honored 30 graduating seniors, along with 38 new learning assistants and three new faculty members joining the program. The ceremony also highlighted four award categories recognizing excellence in teaching innovation, program advocacy, and student support.

The Learning Assistant (LA) Program places undergraduate students in courses across campus to help facilitate active, discussion-based learning. Learning assistants work with faculty to support collaborative instruction in lectures, labs and discussion sections, helping shift traditionally lecture-based courses into active learning environments. The program, which began in STEM fields, has since expanded to include a wide range of disciplines across UH Mānoa.

For the first time, graduating seniors in the LA Program were presented with honors cords, recognizing their academic progress, skill development and contributions to student success. The cords were approved following the LA program’s transition into the , after serving as a successful pilot of the Provost’s office for the past several years.

Program organizers describe the cords as a symbol of dedication, perseverance, and belonging within the LA community. They recognize students who have significantly supported active learning environments while completing their own academic journeys.

“The honor cords recognize meaningful time supporting their peers and partnering with faculty to cultivate active learning communities across disciplines,” said LA Program Director and Professor Tara O’Neill. “This program is about creating meaningful learning experiences on both sides of the classroom—where students and instructors are shaping how knowledge is built and shared at UH Mānoa. As LAs, our students are not only strengthening their own content knowledge, they are transforming learning at UH Mānoa by creating spaces that encourage engagement, questions and innovation.”

Program awardees

• Outstanding Learning Assistant Award recognizing students for excellence in supporting course instruction and fostering engaging learning environments: Katie Thai, Jack Santos and Kevin Phan
• The Agent of Change Award promoting new approaches to active learning at UH Mānoa: Instructor Astrid Delorme
• Curriculum Innovation Award for course design work that integrates LAs to improve student learning experiences: Professor Monique Chyba
• LA Advocacy Award for leadership in advancing the program: Interim Vice Provost of Student Academic Success Amy Ebesu Hubbard

Georcelle Lozano’s journey to where she is today and her upcoming graduation from the University of �鶹��ý–W����� Oʻahu began eight years ago and about 5,370 miles away in her beloved hometown of Balaoan, La Union, Philippines. When she was 14, her family immigrated to �鶹��ý in 2018 to reunite with relatives and build a new life in a new country.

Lozano is a first-generation college student and the only fluent English speaker among her immediate family members, who speak their native Ilokano. Over the years, both her academic and familial responsibilities involved trying to figure out unknown processes and systems not only for herself, but others in her family.

Meet more amazing UH graduates

Lozano said the experience shaped her understanding of how access to information and support can significantly influence someone’s ability to succeed.

“Graduation represents years of sacrifice, both mine and my family’s,” said Lozano. “It reflects the journey of leaving home, adapting to a new country, and learning how to navigate unfamiliar spaces.”

Lozano will share her story as one of two student speakers at on May 9.

Lozano earned, with distinction, a bachelor of education in secondary education with a focus on mathematics.

“For me, this moment is not just an ending, but a responsibility,” Lozano said. “It is a reminder that everything I have learned here is meant to be carried forward and used to support others who may be walking a similar path.”

Read more at .

A University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa faculty member has earned international recognition for research that advances understanding in a key area of modern mathematics.

Department Chair and Associate Professor Malik Younsi received the 2026 Frontiers of Science Award from the International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS). The honor recognizes major breakthroughs in mathematics, physics and engineering.

Younsi was recognized for a research paper co-authored with Dimitrios Ntalampekos on conformal maps, a topic in complex analysis that studies how shapes in the plane can be transformed while preserving angles. In simple terms, it looks at how you can stretch or reshape something—such as a map or a piece of rubber—without changing the way angles and corners fit together, similar to how digital maps adjust views while keeping locations accurate.

“Mathematics is often about finding hidden structure in things that seem complicated at first,” Younsi said. “This recognition highlights the value of staying curious and patient, and I hope it encourages students to see that even abstract ideas can lead to meaningful discoveries.”

The 55-page paper, published in Inventiones Mathematicae, looks at when flat shapes can be transformed into ones bounded by circles and points, building on a long-standing question called the Koebe uniformization conjecture. The research helps describe when there is essentially just one possible way to do transformation, giving a clearer understanding of how these shapes work.

The Frontiers of Science Award, launched in 2023, recognizes recent papers with lasting impact after a competitive global review process. Younsi’s work was selected by an international panel of experts for its contribution to complex analysis. He will be honored at the 2026 ICBS meeting in Beijing on August 9, where leading scientists from around the world will gather to present and discuss new discoveries.

The Department of Mathematics is housed in UH Mānoa’s .

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)

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s hosted a free public lecture in February 2026 that explored tipping points—sudden, dramatic moments when things can change quickly and unexpectedly. The presentation was delivered by Mary Lou Zeeman—professor of mathematics at Bowdoin College and co-director of the Mathematics and Climate Research Network—to an audience of approximately 150 students, faculty and community members.

Zeeman showed how tipping points show up all around us—from a boat that suddenly capsizes, to sudden mood swings, to ecosystems on the brink of collapse. Using simple math, she explained the hidden patterns behind these abrupt changes and why spotting them early matters. Understanding tipping points, she said, can help communities make smarter choices about sustainability, prepare for environmental risks, and respond more effectively when sudden problems arise.

Zeeman talked about “the type of math that can help us understand tipping points and how to use these models for decision support,” focusing on the example of healthy versus turbid lakes, but also including examples involving coral reefs, fisheries, neuroscience, energy and social media.

Faculty and students praised the talk for making complex ideas approachable.

“Zeeman showed how ideas from the frontiers of mathematical research could help us think about a wide array of challenging problems,” said Department of Mathematics faculty member Daniel Erman. “It was really exciting to see so many people engaged in these topics.”

A student who works on ecosystem resiliency, added, “This is now a new way to look at future work I do.”

The lecture was designed to be accessible to anyone curious about mathematical thinking, including middle and high school students, reflecting a growing effort to connect STEM research with the broader community.

“It was fun seeing the real mathematics that lies behind tipping points in nature,” said John Toews, a Kailua resident who attended the lecture.

The Department of Mathematics said the event is part of its ongoing effort to engage the public with real-world applications of mathematics and to spark curiosity across disciplines.

The Department of Mathematics is housed in UH Mānoa’s .The post When the world flips: UH explores the math of tipping points first appeared on University of Hawaiʻi System News.]]> 231322 /news/2026/01/21/times-subject-rankings-2026/ Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:00:36 +0000 /news/?p=228476 UH Mānoa was ranked in all 11 of the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject lists.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa and Chess Club hosted a chess exhibition on December 11 in Keller Hall, bringing together students and faculty for an afternoon of competitive play and community engagement.

National Master Cornelius Rubsamen, a 13-time �鶹��ý state chess champion, played 20 UH Mānoa students and faculty members at the same time, rotating rapidly from board to board as about a dozen spectators watched. The exhibition, known as a “simul,” challenged participants across experience levels and tested Rubsamen’s stamina and intuition.

“If you play one person…you just sit there staring at the same position hour after hour, just thinking about one game,” Rubsamen said. “Whereas in a simul, you basically have a second to look at the board and as soon as the first move that pops in your head, you basically execute. …You just play by instinct, which is something chess players develop over time.”

Rubsamen said the UH Mānoa exhibition proved especially demanding as many participants remained competitive deep into the event.

“For the participants, it’s always easier if the other participants don’t fold or resign too early, and that was the case at this simul, so it was definitely challenging, and I was definitely tired afterwards,” he said.

The exhibition marked the first in a series of chess events on campus, with organizers—including Department of Mathematics Chair and Professor Malik Younsi, and Chess Club officers Noah Capili, Ryan-Jay Koshi, Bobby Lyon and Landon Nguyen—aiming to expand future programming to local high schools.

Lecturer and alumnus

Rubsamen’s appearance also highlighted his main role at UH Mānoa. In addition to his chess accomplishments, he is a lecturer in the , where he teaches composition and rhetoric. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from UH Mānoa and has taught English courses on campus since 2013.

Originally from Germany, Rubsamen said his chess development accelerated after he arrived in �鶹��ý in the 1990s, when international tournaments were held across the state. He credits those events, along with countless games played at Waikīkī Beach and the rise of computer-based programs, for his rapid improvement.

“I never really had a coach, but I was pretty competent using computers and software,” Rubsamen said. “I think I achieved a master level around the end of the 90s, early 2000s, and I’ve been involved in �鶹��ý chess ever since.”

This involvement has primarily consisted of coaching �鶹��ý’s scholastic players, including with Kamehameha Schools, where he worked with the middle school and high school teams beginning in the early 2000s and has directed the elementary chess club there since 2011.

The idea of a simul at UH Mānoa was born out of Rubsamen and Younsi’s chess friendship and the many games they played together before the pandemic.

“We wanted to create an event that brought people together around strategic thinking and friendly competition,” Younsi said. “Cornelius was the perfect person to headline it.”

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa faculty member Daniel Erman has been named a 2026 Fellow of the (AMS), one of the highest honors in the field. The AMS Fellows program recognizes members who have made outstanding contributions to the creation, advancement and communication of mathematics.

Erman’s work often connects abstract mathematical theory with computational and algorithmic applications, and his research helps build the mathematical foundations behind many modern technologies, from computer graphics to data analysis. Erman was recognized by AMS for his influential research in commutative algebra and algebraic geometry, areas that explore the deep structures underlying polynomial equations and geometric shapes.

“I’m incredibly honored to be recognized by the AMS,” Erman said. “I have benefited so much from the community cultivated by the AMS, and I have been especially fortunate to have had amazing mentors, collaborators and students over the years. Mathematics is a deeply collaborative discipline, and it is especially humbling to be honored by the AMS, which is such an important part of the mathematics community.”

The Fellows of the AMS program was established to recognize excellence and to support leadership within the mathematics community. Each year, new fellows are selected from a competitive pool representing less than half of one percent of the society’s membership. Fellows are chosen not only for their research achievements but also for their service to the profession and dedication to communicating mathematics to broader audiences.

Erman joins his colleague Aloysisus Helminck and emeritus colleague Edward Bertram as AMS fellows, continuing UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s legacy of excellence in mathematical research and education.

The Department of Mathematics is housed in UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s .

Thousands of curious keiki and families filled Leeward Community College’s �ʳ�ʻ�ܱ��Dz� campus for the college’s 35th annual Discovery Fair—a free, family-friendly celebration of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

Designed for children ages 5 to 10, the fair transformed the campus into a playground of exploration and imagination on November 1. More than 35 interactive booths—created and hosted by Leeward faculty and staff—invited young learners to experiment, create and discover the fun side of STEAM.

Slime, magic, more

Among the biggest hits: Slime Time, where keiki whipped up their own gooey concoctions; Bubble Geometry, which revealed the surprising science of bubbles; and captivating magic shows by Mr. O the Magician, an alumnus from Leeward CC’s first graduating class in 1970.

“My kids had the best time at the Discovery Fair,” said Erin Maruoka, a parent of two and a Leeward CC employee. “They were totally hooked on slime-making and couldn’t get enough of the magic show. Now they think this is what happens at Leeward CC every day and keep begging to come to work with me!”

Other returning favorites included origami, printmaking, balloon creations by Balloon Monsoon, and upbeat tunes from 102.7 Da Bomb.

“Our goal is to spark curiosity and make learning fun,” said Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza. “Events like the Discovery Fair let keiki experience the excitement of STEAM firsthand, inspiring them to imagine, create and explore new possibilities.”

After rounds of hands-on fun, families recharged with ʻ�DzԴ� food from a wide range of local food vendors.

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University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa students brought hands-on learning and creative problem-solving to Pearl City Elementary School during a STEM night event on September 26.

Graduate and undergraduate students, including two learning assistants, guided the keiki through robotics demonstrations, origami folding and a secret code cryptography challenge. The activities were designed to make math and science concepts approachable and fun for keiki and their ʻohana.

“The partnership with the UH Mānoa math department gave our students a chance to experience math outside the classroom and it was great to see how excited students were while working at the different stations,” said Pearl City Elementary Curriculum Coordinator Caryn Nunokawa. “It was also wonderful to see student engagement and how the volunteers made math both fun and meaningful for everyone.”

Among the UH participants was a math major who serves as president of the UH Mānoa Math Club. She helped organize and facilitate the evening’s activities, encouraging students to explore the creative side of math.

“I was a little nervous at first since it had been a while since I’d worked with kids, but I’m really glad we participated,” said Sakura Takahashi. “I believe early, positive exposure to STEM can make a big difference in how kids view math as they grow up.”

One moment that stood out to Takahashi was when she helped a girl who said she had never done origami before, and watching her excitement as she completed her first piece was very touching.

“Times such as these remind me why creating accessible, joyful interactions with math is so important,” said Takahashi.

Engaging students through math-inspired activities

The outreach is part of the Math Club’s ongoing effort to connect with the broader community while building a sense of belonging among students on campus. Founded to help math majors and enthusiasts collaborate in a small-department setting, the club has expanded to include participants from across disciplines who share an interest in mathematical creativity.

Throughout the year, the club hosts monthly gatherings ranging from arts-based math projects to technical skill workshops. Past events have included hyperbolic crochet sessions, where participants create models of curved geometry using yarn, and tutorials on LaTeX, a typesetting program used for scientific writing.

“We want to show that the Math Club isn’t just about solving math problems, but about building community while exploring math-related creativity!” Takahashi said.

“Events like the Pearl City Elementary STEM Night and the Math Club’s campus activities show how math can connect people of all ages,” said Department of Mathematics Associate Professor Yuriy Mileyko. “Whether it’s inspiring curiosity in young students or building community among our majors, these experiences remind us that math is both creative and collaborative.”

Information about upcoming Math Club events is available through its and on Instagram at .

The Department of Mathematics is housed in UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s .

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa is marking new milestones in its innovative Learning Assistant (LA) Program, while piloting a new artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum for undergraduates.

More than 40 LAs support math courses each semester, providing peer-to-peer guidance and helping students succeed in the classroom. The program has become essential to the department’s growth, especially in Math 134: Precalculus Elementary Functions, where enrollment has more than doubled in recent years. The course now runs 11 sections, each built around interactive activities that rely on LAs to support instruction.

Data from the past three semesters show that sections with two LAs achieved final exam scores approximately 12 percentage points higher on average than sections with only one. Since UH began expanding the LA program, and math hired a precalculus coordinator, the passing rate in Math 134 rose about 10 percentage points in just a few years. Withdrawal rates have also dropped significantly. Similar improvements have been seen in Math 140: Precalculus.

“Our learning assistants are making a significant impact on student success in math,” UH Mānoa math Instructor and Precalculus Coordinator John Robertson said. “They bring energy, innovation and a peer perspective that make all the difference in the classroom.”

AI in math

Math 100: Survey of Mathematics has also benefited from the LA program. The course now averages a passing rate above 85%, with LAs considered crucial to its success. In fall 2025, Math 100 introduced a new unit on AI and will continue weaving AI concepts into the curriculum throughout the semester. This work was selected as part of . Read more in this UH News story.

Students learn how large language models such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini actually work and how to use them responsibly. By working with these tools alongside their own calculations, they practice evaluating, questioning and refining solutions, skills at the heart of critical thinking and quantitative reasoning. LAs receive weekly training to deepen their understanding of language models and to support their peers through the activities.

“Being a learning assistant in Math 100 has given me invaluable skills,” said Dipshay Reddy, a math LA for several semesters. “Through using the new AI-embedded worksheets, I not only support students in their learning but also develop my own understanding of how to integrate innovative tools into the classroom. Working alongside amazing professors like Professor Monique Chyba has been both a learning experience for me and a chance to prepare myself for my future goals.”

The AI module included large lecture presentations, three recitation sessions and hands-on activities. One exercise examined tsunami predictions in �鶹��ý, while others looked at tourism, water quality and heart disease, showing students how quantitative reasoning and AI can be applied to real issues that matter in their community. Large language models are now incorporated into every subsequent unit.

It was Camila Gonzalez’s first time using large language models and she learned that it’s important to “be really precise on what you tell it to give you the accurate numbers back.”

The math department said the LA program now impacts thousands of students each year at a relatively low cost, while preparing undergraduates to navigate the rapidly changing role of AI in education and beyond.

“By engaging directly with new AI tools, our learning assistants are not only supporting their peers but also preparing to be part of a broader shift in how technology is integrated into math education,” said UH Mānoa math Professor Monique Chyba, who co-teaches the course with Professor Elizabeth Gross. “This is about equipping the next generation to shape, rather than just follow, the future of learning.”

The Department of Mathematics is housed in UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s .

The math Learning Assistant Program is under the , directed by College of Education Professor Tara O’Neil.

What is the large-scale shape of the universe? If you traveled far enough and fast enough, would you come to where you started, like a sailor circumnavigating the Earth? Or would you keep moving off indefinitely? Questions such as this lay behind the study of mirror symmetry and related questions in mathematics. Mathematicians in the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa are helping to spearhead a new $1.5 million National Science Foundation (NSF) project that will explore cutting-edge links between algebra, geometry and physics to develop tools with wide-ranging applications.

Daniel Erman, a faculty member in the mathematics department, will lead UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s part of the project, which . The project focuses on deepening understanding of how algebra (the study of equations and symbols) and geometry (the study of shapes and spaces) interact in unexpected ways, with potential implications for fields ranging from computer science and robotics to theoretical physics.

Recent discoveries have revealed surprising links between algebraic geometry—where shapes are defined by equations—and symplectic geometry, which underpins many ideas in modern physics and engineering. By combining approaches from multiple subfields, the researchers aim to develop new mathematical tools that can bridge these areas.

Training opportunities for researchers, students

The work will also provide training opportunities for early-career researchers and students, including the creation of workshops, virtual seminars and publicly available computational tools. At UH Mānoa, the grant will support graduate student research, fund a postdoctoral fellow from 2026 to 2028, and host a 2026 workshop which will bring researchers from all over the country and will provide many opportunities for UH graduate students and math majors to learn about recent advances.

“This project represents the best of mathematical collaboration,” Erman said. “By pooling expertise across universities, we can tackle problems that no one group could solve alone, while also training the next generation of mathematicians here in �鶹��ý and beyond.”

The collaborative effort, supported through NSF’s Focused Research Groups in the Mathematical Sciences program, includes researchers from the University of Southern California, University of Minnesota, Auburn University, University of Oregon and the University of South Carolina.

The UH Mānoa Department of Mathematics, housed in the , continues to build national partnerships through faculty research while offering students unique opportunities to engage in high-level discovery.

A University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa project to explore how bacteria and fungi interact that could shed light on health, environmental and even household issues has been awarded a $591,606 federal grant.

The project, “Bacterial dispersal and nutrient transport along fungal highways,” looks at how bacteria move with the help of fungi. It will be led by UH Mānoa Associate Professors Daisuke Takagi from the in the and Nhu Nguyen from the in the .

While fungi are often thought of as molds or mushrooms, they also create tiny thread-like structures called hyphae that form networks across every exposed surface. These fungal “highways” can help bacteria spread and transport substances, including nutrients or harmful compounds, into new environments. By building mathematical models and testing them in controlled experiments, the UH team aims to better understand how this partnership works and how it affects larger systems.

“This project lets us combine math and biology to uncover the hidden rules of how bacteria spread, which could impact everything from health to the environment,” Takagi said.

Nguyen added, “This grant allows us to explore how tiny interactions between microbes can shape bigger systems like soils, crops, indoor environments and natural ecosystems that people depend on every day.”

The researchers will study how bacteria travel along fungal networks, how they respond to changes in their environment and how they may carry other molecules with them. The findings could help explain how bacteria spread on human skin, across our food, as well as how they move through soil or buildings.

Collaborative research digs in

In the long run, this knowledge could inform public health strategies, agriculture and environmental management. The award highlights UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s growing role in advancing cross-disciplinary research that bridges biology and mathematics to address complex, real-world challenges.

“One of the best parts of doing research at UH is the collaboration—working across different fields is incredibly fun and rewarding,” Takagi said. “Learning from one another often leads to discoveries we couldn’t make alone.”

The three-year grant is jointly supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation through a program that funds projects at the intersection of biology and mathematics.

A University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa faculty member has received a $211,262 grant from the National Science Foundation to study a specialized area of mathematics with wide-ranging applications.

Running through 2027, the project focuses on conformal and quasiconformal mappings. Conformal mappings are transformations of the plane that locally preserve angles, a property that makes them valuable in mathematics and sciences. One example is the Mercator projection used in cartography, which provides a reliable representation of the round surface of the Earth on a flat, two-dimensional map. Quasiconformal mappings are a more flexible version that allow controlled distortion of angles. This adaptability has made them important in complex analysis, probability, computer vision and other fields.

“This research may sound abstract, but it’s about finding patterns that help us better understand the world,” said Principal Investigator and Associate Professor Malik Younsi, who also recently started as chair of the Department of Mathematics. “It’s exciting to share this work globally while also training the next generation of mathematicians here in �鶹��ý.”

Beyond advancing theory, the project supports graduate student training and mentoring. Two UH Mānoa PhD students under Younsi’s direction are contributing to the research, including one who recently participated in a workshop hosted by the Fields Institute in Toronto, a leading international center for mathematical research.

Global impact

In June 2025, Younsi presented findings from the project at the international conference “” in Berlin. The plenary talk placed UH Mānoa on a global stage alongside other invited speakers, including two recipients of the Fields medal, consistently regarded as the top award in the field of mathematics worldwide.

The research builds on earlier work published in , one of the world’s leading mathematics journals. The 54-page paper, written in 2020, laid the foundation for the current project by studying the rigidity of certain geometric structures called circle domains.

By combining new research, student training and international collaboration, the grant strengthens UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s role in advancing mathematics while providing opportunities for �鶹��ý students to engage with a global network of scholars.

The Department of Mathematics is housed in UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s .

A team of scientists, including University of �鶹��ý researchers, has found further observational support for a model originally developed at UH Mānoa that could help solve two of the biggest mysteries in physics: the accelerating growth of the universe and the mass of ghost-like particles called neutrinos.

In a study , the researchers used data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) to test whether dark energy emanating from black holes could be responsible for the mysterious force causing the universe to expand faster throughout time. DESI, located at the Kitt Peak National Observatory on land stewarded by the Tohono O’odham Nation in Arizona, uses 5,000 robotic eyes to map millions of galaxies, helping scientists measure how quickly the universe has grown over billions of years.

This idea, called the cosmologically coupled black hole (CCBH) hypothesis, is based on black holes that convert dead star matter into dark energy. Such dark energy black holes have been studied for over half a century, but their relation to the universe’s growth was not initially appreciated. Duncan Farrah, UH Mānoa associate professor in the and graduate faculty at the ; Kevin Croker, affiliate graduate faculty in the UH Mānoa Department of Physics and Astronomy; and Joel Weiner, professor emeritus in the UH Mānoa , were the first to explore how such a population of black holes could give rise to the accelerated growth that scientists observe today.

“The upshot of this is that if you convert just a little bit of ordinary matter into dark energy over the history of the universe, then you can go a significant way to solving two big mysteries. You explain the origin of dark energy, and you solve a significant tension in the world of particle physics,” Farrah said. “This doesn’t prove anything, but it does motivate further examination of the idea, and testing it against other possible explanations.”

One of the most puzzling findings from DESI is that the standard explanation for accelerated growth of the universe seemed to leave no room for a type of particle called a neutrino to have mass. DESI used the expansion of the universe itself as a giant set of scales, but found that, in the standard model of cosmology, measured mass of neutrinos had begun to contradict measurements from other experiments.

The CCBH model offers a solution. If black holes are turning star matter into dark energy, then the total amount of non-neutrino matter in the universe would decrease over time. This correction allows the neutrino mass measured in DESI data to match what Earth-based experiments have found, something only one other model has done successfully. And it can do so while also explaining the observed accelerated growth of the universe as a whole.

The research explains the amount of dark energy in the universe, suggesting that it wasn’t set at the beginning of time but built up slowly as stars formed and died. The work shows how creative thinking, combined with powerful telescopes and global cooperation, can bring us all closer to understanding how the universe really works.

More about DESI

DESI is an international experiment that brings together more than 900 researchers from more than 70 institutions. The project is led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the instrument was constructed and is operated with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science. DESI is mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory—a program of NSF NOIRLab—in Arizona.

In addition to its primary support from the DOE Office of Science, DESI is also supported by the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, a DOE Office of Science user facility. Additional support for DESI is provided by the NSF; the Science and Technology Facilities Council of the United Kingdom; the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; the Heising-Simons Foundation; the French Alternative Energies 2 and Atomic Energy Commission; the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies of Mexico; the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain; and by the DESI member institutions.

Culinary delights from three brands will accompany Leeward Community College and University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� alumna Tina Wang when she returns to the UH Alumni Makers’ Market in August.

As the owner of Tanaka Ramen, MangoMango Dessert and the newly launched Dumpling Factory, Wang is showcasing more businesses than any other alum at the upcoming event.

“My favorite part is that I get to see all the UH alumni and what they are doing with their businesses,” she said. “After we all went to the same university, we all do different things and can be successful in different areas which is amazing.”

From math to ramen

Wang earned a bachelor of science in mathematics from UH ����ԴDz�’s College of Natural Sciences in 2014. She was preparing for a PhD with a full scholarship when an unexpected opportunity changed her path. She moved to Chicago to train under a ramen chef named Tanaka, sparking a passion for entrepreneurship and multiple Tanaka Ramens.

“We opened in Texas, Chicago and Atlanta, and in 2019 we had the opportunity to take all the AGU Ramen spaces,” Wang said. “We decided it’s time to go back to �鶹��ý, because it has always been my dream to stay in �鶹��ý after I graduated.”

Honoring a promise, giving back

Wang credits UH with helping launch her journey, and recently established a new scholarship for math students at UH ����ԴDz�.

“Our department only had one scholarship when I was there,” she said. “So I promised myself, if I ever had money, I’d give it back. It’s kind of an encouragement for people to actually appreciate math.”

The UH Alumni Makers’ Market 2025 will be held August 6, at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. General admission includes tastings from Wang’s three restaurants and access to other alumni purveyors. Tickets are available now.

“I graduated from here. I give away scholarships. We do a lot of giveaways, and I feel like I belong here,” Wang said. “I want to participate in the Makers’ Market to make people know that we are actually locally owned and that we support our community.”

Monique Chyba, a professor in the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s , has been named a 2025 recipient of the Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics, presented by the (MAA).

The award recognizes professors whose teaching excellence has had a broad impact beyond their home institutions. Chyba was selected for her innovative, community-centered approach to mathematics education and her efforts to make the subject more accessible and culturally relevant. She will be presented the award at the MAA MathFest in Sacramento in August, an annual event that gathers thousands of mathematicians and educators.

Place-based curriculum

At UH ����ԴDz�, Chyba led the redesign of Math 100 into a place-based curriculum developed in partnership with community leaders and faculty members. The course weaves local knowledge and culture into foundational math concepts, helping students connect mathematical thinking to their identities and communities.

“A primary goal of mine as an educator is to show students that mathematics isn’t just abstract theory, it’s deeply connected to their daily lives and surroundings,” Chyba said. “Math isn’t only about numbers or equations on a page; it’s a powerful tool for action, reflection and connection. Both mathematics and real life can be messy, but they’re also beautiful, and absolutely worth the effort.”

One of Chyba’s former students said, “Overall, I have gotten to experience Monique Chyba’s joy and success of teaching math both first and second-hand. She is able to inspire students and help them unlock their potential like very few teachers I’ve met, and I will always credit her as the start of my journey into mathematics and teaching.”

For mathematicians to build a message that will resonate with the community and be approachable isn’t always easy, but Chyba has been able to bridge the barrier by spending time with K–12 teachers and students, as well as by giving public lectures and learning from community feedback.

“This award truly belongs to the students, they shape me every day as an educator. It’s both an honor and a privilege to be part of their educational journey,” Chyba said.

Over more than two decades, Chyba has involved hundreds of students from UH in community-based service. For example, she helped lead “808 Math Island Style: Computational Modeling and Simulation of Epidemic Infectious Diseases,” where middle school students worked with real-world data on disease spread under the guidance of college mentors. The program fostered interest in STEM while introducing the practical uses of mathematics in public health.

• Related UH News story: UH math department translates pandemic knowledge into K–12 curriculum, June 28, 2023

As Tanner Johnson prepares to receive his master’s degree in from the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s this spring, he’s reflecting on an academic journey shaped by both UH West Oʻahu and UH ����ԴDz�—and the support of faculty at each campus.

Originally from Makakilo and a graduate of Kapolei High School, Johnson began his college education at UH West Oʻahu in 2016. He chose UH West Oʻahu to stay close to his family, and it was there that he found his path in mathematics.

Meet more amazing UH spring graduates

“I wasn’t entirely sure what I would study when I started,” Johnson said. “But I’ve always enjoyed academia, and math was something I was decent at. When I learned they were developing math degrees, it caught my attention.”

Johnson double majored in and with concentrations in mathematics, earning both degrees in 2021 during the pandemic.

From there, he went on to UH ����ԴDz� to pursue a master’s degree under the guidance of Associate Professor and Associate Chair Sarah Post. His thesis focused on the mathematical models related to particle spin in quantum mechanics—work that bridges mathematics and physics.

“My project looked at how certain systems of math relate to the spin of particles, especially in quantum mechanics,” Johnson explained. “It’s fascinating how math can model the ways particles interact and how their spin behaves.”

Johnson successfully defended his thesis and will graduate on May 17.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Tanner and to watch him develop his mathematical maturity,” Post said. “He has conquered challenging new topics and you can see his confidence grow, as was well evidenced in his MA presentation. He has truly been a welcome presence around the department.”

Looking ahead, Johnson hopes to stay close to home and give back to the academic community. He’s interested in pursuing a lecturer position and eventually supporting other �鶹��ý students on their own educational paths.

“I want to help students see that math isn’t just a box to check—it’s something they can use and apply,” he said. “I’ve been exploring ways to incorporate place-based learning, Hawaiian culture and pedagogy into math lessons.”

His professors at both campuses say his story represents the best of what the UH System can offer when campuses work in tandem.

“I first met Tanner in fall 2019 when he was taking Math 245 Multivariable Calculus,” UH West Oʻahu Professor Esther Widiasih said. “His work ethics and consistency stood out throughout the following semesters when he took other courses with me. Tanner showed a great potential for teaching and mentoring his peers when he was helping me in being a peer leader in Math 245, only a year after he finished that course. I hope that after finishing his master’s program, he can come back and teach at UH West Oʻahu. He will be a great example of a homegrown math instructor.”

Widiasih said that while Johnson was at UH West Oʻahu, he worked with her on a summer research project adapting a dissolved oxygen model for the Mokauea fishpond, which later became the foundation of his capstone.

Johnson encourages future students to lean on their communities and stay motivated.

“Math is something that benefits from collaboration,” he said. “You need that self-drive, especially in graduate school, but you also need to be willing to ask for help—from peers, from professors. That sense of community is key.”

He added, “I don’t think I would’ve succeeded without the relationships I built at both campuses.”

—By Marc Arakaki

Samuel Glickman, a fifth-year PhD student at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�, participated in the in Washington D.C. in April 2025, where he learned about the federal policymaking process and advocated for research funding.

Sponsored by the American Mathematical Society (AMS), Glickman was one of three AMS fellows nationwide who attended the workshop. The program equips STEM students with the skills to effectively communicate the importance of their research to policymakers. Glickman, whose dissertation focuses on the mathematical foundations of artificial intelligence, computational science and data science, saw the CASE workshop as an opportunity to combine his passion for mathematics with practical policy work.

“The workshop was much more dynamic than I expected,” Glickman said, noting the blend of practical communication strategies with insights into the federal government’s structure.

Connecting with policymakers

During the final day of the workshop, Glickman and other fellows visited Capitol Hill to advocate for research funding. He met with representatives from the offices of Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Ed Case.

“It went very well,” Glickman said. “We discussed my research and how it relates to national priorities, and we talked about how scientists can advocate for STEM research and education in our communities.”

Glickman is mentored by UH ����ԴDz� Department of Mathematics Professor Monique Chyba. Chyba explained the importance of Glickman’s visit to the nation’s capital.

“Mathematics has much to contribute to the policymaking process. After all, Abraham Lincoln’s fascination with Euclidean geometry helped shape the logical framework of his reasoning,” Chyba said. “Yet mathematicians remain rare in government, which is why it is so important to inspire this interest in the next generation of scholars.”

‘Anyone can be an advocate’

Reflecting on his experience, Glickman emphasized the accessibility of advocacy.

“Anyone can be an advocate for STEM research and education,” he said. “Legislators represent their constituents, so if a constituent wants to see something emphasized, they can simply give their legislator a call or send them an email.”

Looking ahead, Glickman intends to maintain contact with his legislators’ offices and explore ways to further advocate for STEM. He even envisions a future career in public service.

The Department of Mathematics is housed in UH ����ԴDz�’s .