University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa’s Noa Lincoln earned the federal government’s highest honor for up-and-coming researchers. Lincoln, an associate professor of Indigenous Crops and Cropping Systems at the (CTAHR) was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by former President Joe Biden.

Lincoln is a nationally recognized expert in the field of agroecology, which encompasses all aspects of sustainable farming.

“I’m grateful that this work in agroecology is being acknowledged nationally,” Lincoln said. “There are many amazing people working in this field, and I hope this award helps to bring further recognition to the importance of Indigenous knowledge and practices.”

works closely with various communities and farmers to support sustainable and just food systems, with his research contributing to national and international advocacy. PECASE winners have already demonstrated their success in their field of expertise as well as in integrating research and education.

CTAHR Dean Parwinder Grewal noted, “Noa Lincoln’s work is part of our mission to help local communities grow more fruits, vegetables, and proteins. We are honored by his contributions to agroecology and this well-deserved award from the highest level of government.”

The award recognizes Lincoln’s exceptional potential for leadership and innovative research early in their scientific careers. The PECASE is conferred each year at the White House following recommendations from participating agencies, including the National Science Foundation.

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Â鶹´«Ã½ agroecology champion

Lincoln has more than 50 scientific articles, a book on Hawaiian sugarcanes, two edited volumes, multimedia extension materials, and provided interviews for hundreds of news articles and documentaries and is also deeply involved in the application of community resource management. He is the president and founder of , a demonstration farm restoring traditional agroforestry methods, and the production advisor and a board member of the , a farmer-owned cooperative focused on the mid-tier value chain of several indigenous crops.

Lincoln is also the co-founder and chair of the community-based organization that owns and operates the , which preserves rare Native Hawaiian plants as well as traditional crop varieties. He sits on several boards of community-based nonprofits, such as and , and governmental advisory boards, such as the .

He is working to expand the scale and impact of his work at the to establish the . Along with UH West Oʻahu Professor Albie Miles, this new center seeks to empower transformative initiatives aimed at Â鶹´«Ã½’s food system.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ has become the first university to sign a memorandum of understanding to provide environmental research expertise to the (NCEL). The NCEL serves as a non-partisan resource network of over 1,200 state legislators representing all 50 states working to protect, conserve, and improve the natural and human environment around regional and issue-specific projects.

The agreement, signed by UH President David Lassner, UH Vassilis L. Syrmos, Â鶹´«Ã½ State Sen. Chris Lee and NCEL Executive Director Dylan McDowell, provides the necessary framework for NCEL to seek out environmental expertise from UH faculty and researchers.

“Our pre-eminent capabilities in environment protection and conservation research have been built organically over many decades and are now widely recognized,” said Lassner. “This new agreement will enable us to share what we have learned with others around the country, as we do throughout Â鶹´«Ã½ and the Pacific.”

Under the agreement, NCEL may seek out expertise from UH, who will connect NCEL members to the appropriate subject matter expert(s) to discuss. If more research or reporting is required, NCEL may direct UH to available grant opportunities to assist with the additional tasks. Requests from NCEL will be processed through the recently created UH Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures directed by Suzanne Case.

“Natural resource management and conservation are no longer just catch phrases as Â鶹´«Ã½ and the world are facing an onslaught of environmental challenges that are threatening our well-being,” Syrmos said. “I’m pleased that NCEL has partnered with UH research to assist them with various initiatives to help preserve and maintain our natural environment.”

, which serves as the flagship of the 10-campus UH System, is classified as a Research 1 institution and one of a handful of land-, sea-, space-, and sun-grant universities. Researchers at UH have world-class expertise in a wide area of environmental-related fields, such as biological control, biocultural restoration, agroforestry, natural resource management, invasive species management, oceanography, clean energy, hydrology and Indigenous knowledge.

“We are unlocking an incredible new opportunity for innovative policy solutions by connecting legislators with the research and expertise of the University of Â鶹´«Ã½,” said NCEL Executive Director Dylan McDowell. “This partnership is an important part of NCEL’s efforts to connect our network of 1,300 lawmakers with UH experts across the globe on some of the most pressing environmental challenges.”

Lee serves as president of the NCEL board of directors. A strong advocate of clean energy and the environment, Lee felt that it was absolutely necessary to bring to bear all of UH’s world-class research expertise and resources to assist NCEL with its vision of advancing a clean and healthy environment through state leadership.

“Equipping policymakers around the country with real science and data on our biggest issues will empower state leaders to deliver more effective and successful results for communities around the country,” said Lee. “At a time when courts have begun to restrict the scope of science in decision-making by the federal government, it’s more important than ever that states take the lead.”

Bryceson Gregory Kealiʻiwiwoʻoleikamaunakiʻekiʻe Tugade is hoping to convey some important messages as a student speaker at the ’s commencement ceremony on December 9.

Always seek the “more” in life. Remain curious. Give back to your community. And one of the most valuable messages: Utilize education as a key tool for attaining personal growth and breaking down barriers.

Tugade, 23, of Aliamanu, will receive a bachelor of applied science with a concentration in (SCFS) at .

“As a first-generation college student, this means the world and so much more,” said Tugade, who is Filipino, Native Hawaiian and Chinese. “This upcoming graduation stands as a testament to my family, peers and larger community that education can be a key driver in overcoming and breaking perceived barriers.”

Emerging leader

After graduating from Radford High School in 2018, Tugade enrolled at , where he graduated in spring 2021 with an associate in science in sustainable agriculture—becoming the first in his family to receive a college degree. He then transferred in fall 2021 to UH West Oʻahu in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.

“I was initially scared of the prospect of advancing my education,” Tugade said. “However, with staff and faculty assistance, I was not only becoming increasingly confident in my ability to perform within an academic realm, but pursuit of opportunities elsewhere was not met with doubt.”

Tugade has thrived—academically, professionally and personally—during his time at UH West Oʻahu. He found mentors in Albie Miles, his academic advisor and an associate professor in the SCFS program, as well as Indrajit Gunasekara, co-founder of the (cultural agroforestry) movement and UH West Oʻahu financial aid officer, whom Tugade calls, “my aya (older brother in Sri Lankan).”

Gunasekara said Tugade’s passionate commitment to the Aloha ʻÄ€ina (love of the land) movement is very inspiring to many.

“He’s always driven to expand his understanding of the work we do with the perspective of Indigenous understanding of where his roots belong, as well as making meaning within the framework of scientific theoretical engagement,” Gunasekara said. “He is a remarkable person, a highly intelligent and deep thinker who’s always ready to step in and to support whenever, whatever capacity the help is needed.”

Miles said Tugade has proven to be an exceptional multidisciplinary food system scholar.

“He has a keen interest in the biophysical sciences, working on the genetics of Polynesian introduced crops with mentors at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, while excelling in his understanding of the root causes of many of the challenges we face in the food system of Â鶹´«Ã½ and beyond,” Miles said.

‘For my dad’

Tugade aspires to earn a master of science degree at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, and eventually a PhD in tropical plant and soil sciences.

“I plan to continue addressing the layers of work that must be done to identify the current environmental, agricultural and social obstacles we face in Â鶹´«Ã½, and strive to find solutions to assist and serve my community,” Tugade said. “By blending my understanding of science and Indigenous Hawaiian knowledge, I can help my community to reclaim control of our local and traditional food systems for health and livelihood.”

Although Tugade didn’t always see himself pursuing a degree as he was growing up, the prospect of higher learning was always a conversation in his household, and his father emphasized the value of education. His family would participate in fundraising events for students in his father’s barrio (town) of Bacar, Magsingal, in the Ilocos Sur region of the Philippines.

“During this semester, my resilience was tested once more—my father unexpectedly passed away this October from an advanced stage of TB,” Tugade said. “From grieving with my ʻohana, to focusing on graduation, and navigating a world without him, I hope to embody resilience and the significant role education can play in our lives.”

He added, “This upcoming graduation is for my dad.”

For more visit .

—by Zenaida Serrano Arvman

was for the 2022–2023 academic year by the U.S. Department of State. Â鶹´«Ã½ CC is one of 12 community colleges nationwide to have a .

“This achievement is a testament to your institution’s deep commitment to international exchange and to building lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote in a congratulatory letter to Â鶹´«Ã½ CC Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas. “I would like to thank your entire team for their hard work in promoting the Fulbright Program to your faculty and staff, and in particular Pamela Scheffler for their support of the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program on your campus.”

The is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program.

Scheffler, a science professor at Â鶹´«Ã½ CC who teaches in the , is currently in Indonesia studying native stingless bee (Trigona spp.) ecology with faculty at Udayama University.

This is the second time Scheffler has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar. She studied small farmer agroforestry systems in India in 2012.

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“It is an honor for Â鶹´«Ã½ Community College to receive this recognition,” said Solemsaas. “Â鶹´«Ã½ CC is fortunate to have high-quality faculty such as Dr. Pamela Scheffler who have a deep commitment to learning and are able to bring their global experiences into the classroom for the benefit of our students.”