University of �鶹��ý Cancer Center researcher Michele Carbone has been named the recipient of the 2026 Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research by the (NFCR). The prestigious award recognizes his discovery that inherited mutations in the BAP1 gene can dramatically increase susceptibility to mesothelioma and several other cancers.

The foundation said Carbone’s work changed how mesothelioma—a rare cancer of the membranes that cover the lungs and abdomen—is understood, diagnosed, treated and prevented worldwide, while also driving major public health actions in the U.S. and Turkey that have saved lives.

“There is nothing as rewarding as saving lives, telling someone, actually you, your daughter, your son, do not have to die of cancer, you probably will live till old age, and then to see them again, year after year, happy,” Carbone said. “I am incredibly fortunate that my research allowed me to do exactly that. Our research even inspired government action to protect public health in the U.S. and in Turkey. I had the fortune to work with a truly fantastic team of students, technicians, post-doctoral fellows and collaborators: Drs. Harvey Pass and Haining Yang, with whom I shared all failures and successes for almost 30 years.”

Naoto T. Ueno said the recognition reflects the global impact of Carbone’s decades of work.

“Dr. Michele Carbone’s recognition with the Szent-Györgyi Prize is a proud and historic moment for the University of �鶹��ý Cancer Center,” said Ueno. “His work represents the highest standard of cancer research: rigorous science that leads to landmark discovery and ultimately saves lives. By identifying inherited BAP1 mutations as a driver of mesothelioma risk, Dr. Carbone changed how we understand cancer susceptibility, prevention, and early intervention. His discoveries have protected families and communities in �鶹��ý, the U.S., Turkey, and around the world, and they reflect the kind of global impact we strive to advance from �鶹��ý.”

Carbone will receive the award at the NFCR Global Summit and Award Ceremonies for Cancer Research & Entrepreneurship on October 9 in Washington, D.C.

.

Blood-based markers that could improve early, less invasive detection of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) have been identified by researchers at the . The discovery offers a potential new blood test to diagnose the disease sooner, monitor its progression and support the development of more targeted treatments for patients facing this fast-moving form of cancer.

The study, published in , was conducted in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas at Austin.

IBC is a highly aggressive type of breast cancer that has historically been difficult to distinguish from other forms because it does not show clear genetic differences.

New sequencing approach reveals blood signals

The research team used a specialized sequencing technology to analyze RNA, or genetic instructions, found in blood samples. Led by Naoto Ueno, director at the UH Cancer Center, Savitri Krishnamurthy, professor of anatomic pathology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Alan Lambowitz, professor of oncology at the University of Texas at Austin, the team examined both tumor and blood samples to identify signals that may improve detection and monitoring of IBC.

Researchers said previous efforts to identify specific markers for IBC have been challenging because the disease closely resembles other cancers in standard tests. In this study, they used a sequencing method known as TGIRT, which is better at capturing complex and fragmented genetic material. The findings suggest that doctors may eventually be able to monitor the disease through simple blood tests rather than tissue biopsies. The markers could also help guide the development of new therapies tailored to this aggressive cancer.

Collaboration, persistence drive discovery

Ueno and associate researcher Xiaoping Wang of the UH Cancer Center initiated the collaboration that led to the discovery.

“The project began with simple curiosity and a lot of hard work,” said Ueno. “I first heard about this technology from a friend and was inspired by Dr. Lambowitz’s vision. At first, many people didn’t think we could find biological differences between this cancer and others just by looking at a blood sample.”

The project began with simple curiosity and a lot of hard work.
—Naoto Ueno.

Despite early skepticism from colleagues who questioned the project’s potential due to the rarity and aggressive nature of inflammatory breast cancer, Ueno and Wang continued their work. Their success underscores the importance of teamwork and persistence in advancing understanding of the disease and developing more effective treatments.

“Our discussions with Dr. Lambowitz’s team helped us better understand the findings and improve the experiments along the way,” Wang said. “Together with support from the clinical team at MD Anderson, these efforts ultimately led to the discovery of a promising blood biomarker that may help diagnose this aggressive and deadly disease.”

The research was funded by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, The Welch Foundation, the UT MD Anderson Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, and the State of Texas Rare and Aggressive Breast Cancer Research Program.

The University of �鶹��ý is reminding individuals who may have been impacted by the cybersecurity incident announced February 27 that deadlines are approaching to enroll in 12 months of free credit monitoring and $1 million in identity theft insurance. After these deadlines, enrollment codes will no longer work.

Deadlines

• May 31, 2026: Enrollment deadline for individuals who received Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) study notification letter codes
• June 20, 2026: Enrollment deadline for individuals who received email-based Experian enrollment codes
• May 31, 2026: Closure of the call center to assist all potentially affected individuals

Kroll Call Center: (844) 443-0842

Hours: Monday to Friday, 3:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. �鶹��ý Standard Time

Cybersecurity incident

The cybersecurity incident involved historical driver’s license and voter registration records (including social security numbers) used decades ago to recruit participants for epidemiological research studies. No information held by the UH Cancer Center’s clinical trials operations, patient care or other divisions of the center was impacted.

Potentially impacted individuals

The personal information affected by the incident was located in a subset of research files stored on certain servers that support the UH Cancer Center’s epidemiology research operations, including:

1. Two files containing names and date-of-births in combination with SSNs: the first, containing Driver’s License (DL) numbers, was collected in the year 2000 from the State Department of Transportation; the second, containing voter registration information, was collected in the year 1998 from the City & County of Honolulu. At that time, DL numbers in �鶹��ý were typically based on SSNs, and City and County of Honolulu voter registration information also often contained SSNs.
2. Files for study participants in the long-running Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) Study (recruitment for participants in �鶹��ý and Los Angeles, California from 1993 to 1996) and three other epidemiological studies of diet and cancer focusing on colorectal adenomas (recruitment for participants 1995–2007) and colon cancer (recruitment for participants 1994–2005), which also had SSNs and/or DL numbers in combination with names and date-of-births. They may also have contained questionnaires and other study information on participant health, as well as information pulled from national and state public health registries.
3. Two files that contain SSNs in combination with names collected from national and state public health registries as part of epidemiology research and study recruitment efforts. One file was closed to new names in 1999, and the other in the mid-2000s. The impacted files may also have contained research registry information about individuals’ health.

Letters were only mailed to MEC study participants. Other potentially affected individuals were sent email notices where valid email addresses were available. For the remaining individuals, notification was made through notices sent to major statewide media on February 27, 2026, and on the UH Cancer Center website.

If you believe you may have been impacted and did not receive an email or a letter, please call the Kroll Call Center: (844) 443-0842, Monday to Friday, 3:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. �鶹��ý Standard Time.

Individuals should also check the Spam folders in all of their email accounts. Notification emails were sent from notice@krollnotifications.com with the subject line “NOTICE OF DATA INCIDENT.” Official notification emails were sent between March 16, 2026 and March 20, 2026. Emails received outside of this date range should be considered phishing emails.

Individuals may also visit the to access support services and additional information.

Nearly 100 people gathered in person and online on April 18 at the for the free workshop, “How Clinical Trials Save Lives,” learning how these studies work and how patients may benefit from new cancer treatments.

The event also marked the one-year anniversary of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community, a patient-empowerment program that brings together patients, survivors, caregivers, and health care providers for education and support.

Attendees learned about the ���‘ō���� Early Phase Clinical Research Center, located at the UH Cancer Center in Kakaʻako. The new facility will allow �鶹��ý patients to access early phase, or Phase I, clinical trials locally for the first time, without traveling to the U.S. continent.

Panel discussions and presentations featured clinicians, researchers, survivors and caregivers sharing medical information and personal experiences with clinical trials.

Clinical trials expand access to new hope for patients

“Clinical trials are where research can turn into real hope for patients,” said Naoto T. Ueno, director of the �鶹��ýCancer Center. “Clinical trials give patients access to promising new therapies that are not yet widely available—sometimes offering options when standard treatments are no longer effective.”

Panelist Kimberly Omine, who is undergoing a clinical trial for blood cancer, said the experience has been life-changing. “If I didn’t go through clinical trials, I wouldn’t be here.”

�鶹��ýCancer Center officials noted that clinical trials provide closely monitored care and may offer access to treatments that improve outcomes while advancing future cancer research. The center administers nearly 90% of all cancer clinical trials in �鶹��ý, in partnership with member organizations of the �鶹��ý Cancer Consortium.

The workshop was produced by the , which continues to expand programming connecting the cancer community across �鶹��ý.

The University of �鶹��ý accounted for more than $61.2 million—92% of all federal biomedical research funding awarded in the state from the (NIH)—in fiscal year 2025.

�鶹��ý received $66.7 million overall in NIH funding, according to a new report from . The investment supported 902 jobs and generated $188.7 million in economic activity statewide.

NIH funding supports a wide range of research across UH, from improving disease detection and treatment to addressing health disparities and strengthening public health systems that serve island communities, reinforcing the university’s role in advancing health research and innovation in �鶹��ý.

had the largest share, with 72 awards totaling $60.7 million, while the received two awards totaling $468,391. While overall funding remained strong, NIH’s shift to multi-year funding—which obligates the full grant value upfront—resulted in 5,564 fewer grants being funded in FY2025 compared to FY2024.

“Even in a highly competitive and uncertain federal funding environment, University of �鶹��ý researchers continue to deliver work that improves lives here at home and beyond,” said Chad Walton, UH interim vice president for research and innovation. “These investments fuel discoveries, support high-quality jobs and strengthen our local economy. Every dollar makes a difference for our communities.”

Research highlights

Recent awards reflect the diversity of NIH-funded research at UH:

• $322,891 from the National Cancer Institute supports Shugeng Zhao Cao, professor at the at UH Hilo. The project, Discovery of novel natural TEAD inhibitors for the chemoprevention of liver tumors, explores natural compounds from Hawaiian microorganisms to develop the first preventive therapy for liver cancer.



• $2,039,744 from the National Human Genome Research Institute supports Lang Wu, associate professor at the at the UH Cancer Center. The research advances genomic tools and approaches to better understand complex diseases and support precision health applications. (Related UH News story)
• $459,287 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases supports Youping Deng, professor at the . The project, Hawaii Advanced Training in Artificial Intelligence for Precision Nutrition Science Research, strengthens training in the use of artificial intelligence for nutrition and metabolic health research. (Related UH News story)

A University of �鶹��ý Cancer Center study aimed at understanding mesothelioma (a rare, aggressive cancer) in people with inherited BAP1 gene mutations has received a $1-million, five-year All-Star Translational Award from the . The project is led by researchers Michele Carbone and Haining Yang, who previously identified the condition they named “BAP1 Cancer Syndrome.” Individuals born with these mutations may develop multiple cancer types over their lifetime, most commonly mesothelioma.

Related UH News story: UH Cancer Center identifies treatable form of mesothelioma

Their earlier research, which contributed to a National Cancer Institute surgical clinical trial studying families with the BAP1 mutation over more than 20 years, suggests that tumors arising in some mutation carriers are less invasive and less likely to spread into nearby tissues and organs.

The new project will build on these findings to examine why some BAP1-mutant patients survive longer and identify the biological mechanisms that limit tumor invasion and spread.

“Understanding why some tumors are less invasive opens new possibilities for identifying mechanisms that could guide new therapeutic strategies for mesothelioma,” Carbone said.

Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and community members are invited to the free workshop “How Clinical Trials Save Lives,” hosted by the ’s Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community. The event will be held on Saturday, April 18, 9–11 a.m. at the Sullivan Conference Center.

Attendees will learn how trials work, hear from experts and patient panelists, and explore how participation shapes future care. The event will follow with light refreshments and a preview of the new ���ʻō���� Early Phase Clinical Research Center, from 11 a.m. to noon.

Participants can attend in-person and via Zoom. .

‘Where research turns into real hope’

“Clinical trials are where research turns into real hope,” said Naoto T. Ueno, director of the UH Cancer Center and a two-time cancer survivor. “They give patients access to promising therapies and new possibilities.”

Clinical trials allow patients to receive new treatments or new combinations of existing therapies, often before they are widely available, while being closely monitored by research teams.

Related UH News story: UH cancer support network champions patient advocacy

The UH Cancer Center administers nearly 90% of cancer clinical trials in �鶹��ý. Its new ���ʻō���� facility will expand access to early-phase trials locally.

The workshop also marks the one-year anniversary of the Cancer CARE Community and honors founder Susan Hirano, whose vision continues to support and empower those affected by cancer. Since launching, the Cancer CARE Community has connected hundreds statewide, continuing Hirano’s legacy of hope and support.

.

The , in partnership with Google Cloud, will host a landmark full-day workshop on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, titled, “Accelerating Research in the Age of AI: A Synergistic Workshop with Google.” The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sullivan Conference Center, UH Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu.

Designed to reflect the UH‘s unique geographic and cultural context, the workshop will highlight how academic-industry partnerships can strengthen research capacity by expanding access to advanced AI tools, high-performance computing and specialized technical expertise. The program is open to UH faculty, investigators, trainees and students across biomedical, population, ocean, earth and computational sciences.

• .

“This workshop represents an exciting opportunity for UH researchers to engage directly with Google’s leading AI scientists and tools,” said John Shepherd, chief scientific officer at the UH Cancer Center, who is organizing the workshop. “We are committed to building the infrastructure and partnerships that will propel our research into the next generation of discovery.”

Workshop highlights

The agenda features a lineup of renowned speakers and interactive sessions, including:

• Keynote: “AI Co-Scientist System and Gemini-Based Research Tools,” presented by Charlie Elliot, lead of rapid innovation, Google Public Sector;
• Flash Talks: Great Challenges Across Disciplines—featuring Peter Sadowski (associate professor, Department of Information and Computer Sciences, UH ����ԴDz�), István Szapudi (theoretical cosmologist, Institute for Astronomy, UH), and Justin Stopa (associate professor, Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering, UH ����ԴDz�);
• Deep Dive Sessions covering your “Modern Research Toolkit” (Francisco Gonzalez, application modernization specialist architect, Google Public Sector) and “Federated Learning for Global Collaboration” (Tom Denton, research scientist, Google DeepMind/Google Research);
• Student Poster Competition, with Google-sponsored awards for the best presentations, judged during the Google-sponsored lunch break;
• Co-Designing Breakouts in which participants brainstorm high-impact solutions in three focus areas: AI for hypothesis generation, Google’s cloud tools and federated learning.

The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion and vision synthesis identifying a roadmap for future UH-Google collaboration, along with the announcement of poster competition award winners.

.

The genesis of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community began not in Kakaʻako, but during a visit to a breast cancer specialist in Texas. There, Susan and Peter Hirano first heard about Naoto Ueno, who would soon become director of the University of �鶹��ý Cancer Center.

After Ueno relocated to �鶹��ý, the Hiranos connected with him, and Susan shared her vision: a supportive space where cancer patients, families and caregivers could access information, education and emotional support.

Read more UH Giving Day stories

Diagnosed with stage-four metastatic breast cancer in October 2021, Susan immersed herself in research, exploring clinical trials and consulting with specialists at leading institutions.

“She had an intense and fierce determination to live,” Peter said. “So, in addition to researching the science of the disease, she explored other ways to supplement her medical treatments, from reiki massages and naturopathic treatments to acupuncture, meditation and diet.”

Empowering patients, building community

Susan brought that same determination to her medical appointments, encouraging patients to actively participate in their care. That philosophy became the foundation of the Cancer CARE Community—CARE representing Community, Awareness, Research and Emotional Well-Being.

Her vision became reality on April 5, 2025, when the UH Cancer Center launched the program.

“I remember that she wasn’t feeling very well that morning,” Peter recalled. “But she told me, ‘Just get me there, and the people will lift me up.’”

During the inaugural workshop, Susan spoke for 25 minutes, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy and asking questions. The event culminated in an emotional surprise: the program was officially named in her honor.

“She was blown away,” Peter said. “She had no idea that the team was going to name the program the ‘Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community.’ I am so proud of the legacy she has built.”

Less than two weeks later, on April 18, 2025, Susan passed away peacefully at home.

Sustaining the legacy on Giving Day

Today, the program continues her legacy, offering quarterly workshops that provide holistic support for patients, survivors and caregivers. More than 550 people have attended events so far, with many returning regularly.

“The event was ‘empowering’ to learn about the true value of empowerment––how to find peace with our situation, our thoughts and our choice,” commented one attendee in an evaluation survey.

More �鶹��ýNews stories about Susan C. Hirano and her legacy

Community support is vital to help the CARE Community reach more cancer patients, families and caregivers across �鶹��ý.

As the community comes together for UH Giving Day, Peter wants potential donors to know that their contributions aren’t just abstract numbers.

Every gift, no matter the size, helps ensure the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community can continue providing trusted resources, connection and support for those facing cancer across �鶹��ý—just as Susan envisioned.

about the Cancer CARE Community, make a gift and explore other Giving Day opportunities.

The University of �鶹��ý Cancer Center’s Epidemiology Division was the victim of a cyberattack that possibly exposed records containing Social Security numbers (SSNs) and driver’s license (DL) numbers, mostly from �鶹��ý DL records collected in 2000 from the State Department of Transportation (when identifiers were usually SSNs) and City and County of Honolulu voter registration records collected in 1998 (also when identifiers were usually SSNs).

The �鶹��ý DL and Honolulu voter registration records were primarily used to recruit research study participants, principally for the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) Study. The MEC Study was established in 1993 and recruited more than 215,000 men and women, aged 45 to 75 years, between 1993 and 1996 from five main ethnic/racial groups who were residents of �鶹��ý and Los Angeles, California. Some of the exposed files also included research data with health-related information on study participants and certain other individuals.

The MEC Study participants potentially impacted a total 87,493 individuals. Additional individuals whose personal information may have been included in the historical driver’s license and voter registration records with SSN identifiers number approximately 1.15 million.

There was no impact to information held by the UH Cancer Center’s Clinical Trials operations, patient care, or any other divisions of the UH Cancer Center. There was no impact to UH student records.

“The UH Cancer Center deeply regrets that this incident occurred and that so many individuals have been impacted,” said Naoto T. Ueno, director of the UH Cancer Center. “We take this matter extremely seriously and are committed to transparency, accountability and strengthening protections for the research data entrusted to us.”

What happened and data involved

During the cyberattack, an unauthorized third party encrypted and potentially exfiltrated data containing personal information. The university notified law enforcement and worked with third-party cybersecurity experts to obtain a decryption tool, and secure an affirmation that any information obtained was destroyed. To date, there is no evidence that any of the information has been published, shared or misused.

The personal information affected by the incident was located in a subset of research files stored on certain servers that support the UH Cancer Center’s epidemiology research operations, including:

1. Two files containing names and date-of-births in combination with SSNs: the first, containing DL numbers, was collected in the year 2000 from the State Department of Transportation; the second, containing voter registration information, was collected in the year 1998 from the City & County of Honolulu. At that time, DL numbers in �鶹��ý were typically based on SSNs, and City and County of Honolulu voter registration information also often contained SSNs.
2. Files for study participants in the long-running Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) Study (recruitment for participants in �鶹��ý and Los Angeles, California from 1993 to 1996) and three other epidemiological studies of diet and cancer focusing on colorectal adenomas (recruitment for participants 1995–2007) and colon cancer (recruitment for participants 1994–2005), which also had SSNs and/or DL numbers in combination with names and date-of-births. They may also have contained questionnaires and other study information on participant health, as well as information pulled from national and state public health registries.
3. Two files that contain SSNs in combination with names collected from national and state public health registries as part of epidemiology research and study recruitment efforts. One file was closed to new names in 1999, and the other in the mid-2000s. The impacted files may also have contained research registry information about individuals’ health.

Investigations are still ongoing to assess other sensitive information that may have been impacted. �鶹��ýis confident that any other personal information (SSNs or drivers’ license numbers in combination with names) found will be nominal and, where possible, those individuals will
receive separate notice.

Investigations are still ongoing to assess other sensitive information that may have been impacted.

Assistance for potentially affected individuals

Notification letters offering credit monitoring and identity protection services were mailed on February 23 to 87,493 MEC Study participants, the first group of potentially affected individuals identified. The university is now providing notice to all others potentially impacted via email (approximately 900,000 email addresses were located, but only 757,588 have been validated) and this public announcement and a .

(UPDATE: March 20 If you believe you may have been impacted and did not receive an email, please check the Spam folder in all of your email accounts. The email should be from Kroll (notice@krollnotifications.com) with the subject line “NOTICE OF DATA INCIDENT.”)

To assist those who may have been impacted, UH has established dedicated call centers where individuals can:

• Verify whether their information may have been involved
• Enroll in 12 months of free credit monitoring and $1 million in identity theft insurance

Call centers have been established for both groups and will open Monday, March 2:

• Call Center: (844) 443-0842
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Time (excluding holidays)
  • March 2–6, 2026, 4:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., �鶹��ý Standard Time
  • Starting March 9 (due to daylight savings time), 3:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. �鶹��ý Standard Time

For additional details and enrollment information, the .

Official updates will be posted at the , , and . Please disregard any other websites, social media or messages claiming to represent UH that request personal information.

Security improvements and investigations

The UH Cancer Center has implemented extensive cybersecurity and governance enhancements including: redesigning and hardening network, extending the deployment of modern endpoint protection with 24/7 monitoring, upgrading hardware, migrating sensitive research servers into the UH Information Technology Services data center, implementing stricter access controls for sensitive data and enforcing cybersecurity training for Cancer Center staff. In addition, internal reviews are ongoing and independent third parties have been engaged to investigate the cyberattack and assess and validate the security controls for the entire UH Cancer Center.

To increase information security oversight and awareness across the entire system,
UH has taken the following actions:

• Created a new Information Security Governance Council for Research responsible to coordinate research‑related cybersecurity.
• Established a new Information Security Task Force responsible for updating policies, strengthening cyber roles and responsibilities, and recommending enterprise‑level controls and investments.

“This cyberattack requires a comprehensive, systemwide response. I have initiated a full review of information technology systems across all 10 campuses to ensure we are strengthening protections wherever needed,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “We will take a holistic approach, identify areas requiring additional investment, and move forward with those improvements. Safeguarding the data entrusted to us is essential to our mission and our responsibility to the people of �鶹��ý.”

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� is part of a new $3.5 million multi-state project to improve cervical cancer screening and follow-up at primary care clinics in �鶹��ý, Florida and Massachusetts. The �鶹��ý portion, led by Holly Fontenot, associate dean for research and professor at the and faculty member of the , is supported by a major five–year, R01 award from the National Institutes of Health.

The project, Development of Systems and Education for Cervical Cancer Prevention (DOSE–CC), will adapt, validate and test interventions designed to boost cervical cancer prevention and follow-up care across diverse populations.

Fontenot brings experience from her prior work in women’s health and HPV-associated cancer prevention, and is one of four multiple principal investigators collaborating with Boston Medical Center, Tufts University and the Moffitt Cancer Center. The �鶹��ý research team also includes Komal Soin and Patty Tran from the .

“This award reflects the strength of our ongoing research partnerships and the importance of multidisciplinary teams working together to develop effective, sustainable and impactful multi-level interventions that help to transform the current paradigm in cancer screening and follow-up,” Fontenot said.

The project builds on previous studies, including Cervical Cancer: Provider Response and Options of Guidelines Related to Screening Strategies (CC PROGRESS), funded by the American Cancer Society, and DOSE–HPV, which successfully increased HPV vaccination rates.

By combining clinical research with community engagement, the project seeks to develop sustainable, effective interventions that can be scaled nationally — including across the U.S. Work on DOSE–CC is already underway and is expected to be completed by 2030.

�鶹��ý Gov. Josh Green emphasized that cancer research and medical science are not only matters of public health, but also essential to national and global security, during a roundtable discussion at the ’s 17th Annual on January 23.

The three-day international symposium, held January 21–23, at the UH Cancer Center in Kakaʻako, brought together leading researchers and clinicians from around the world to share cutting-edge discoveries in cancer genetics and environmental carcinogenesis — the interaction between genetic and environmental factors that influence cancer risk and treatment outcomes.

Cuts, costs, commitment

Speaking before nearly 100 attendees including international and U.S. cancer researchers, UH faculty, students and community members, Green addressed concerns about the future of medical research amid rising costs and federal funding cuts. The discussion was moderated by Michele Carbone, co-founder of the Weinman Symposium and director of thoracic oncology at the UH Cancer Center.

Cancer does not know a red state or a blue state.
—Gov. Josh Green

“The challenges are many, but there’s no question that states can help,” said Green. He pointed to a plan to provide an additional $7.5 million to the UH Cancer Center to help sustain research momentum during a difficult fiscal period.

Green warned that reductions in federal research funding threaten the nation’s ability to respond to future health crises and stressed that science should transcend politics.

“Cancer does not know a red state or a blue state,” he said. “It doesn’t know ideology. This is something we should commit ourselves to for humanity.”

He also tied biomedical research directly to global security, citing emerging technologies such as RNA-based research and vaccines. “If we don’t fund important research and someone else does—and they control that scientific discipline—we’re not just at a disadvantage during outbreaks,” Green said. “It’s unsafe to have monolithic control of major technologies.”

UH Cancer Center Director Naoto Ueno expressed appreciation for the governor’s support. “His vision, making sure that there is long-term cancer research, really makes a big difference,” Ueno said. “There are 70,000 people in �鶹��ý with cancer. The only way to cure cancer for future generations is to advance research.”

Green also presented the 2026 Weinman Award to Antoni Ribas of UCLA, a leader in cancer immunotherapy research.

Read more at the .

Cancer patients traveling off-island for treatment. Kūpuna waiting months to see a neurologist. Rural communities struggling to access behavioral health and addiction services. These challenging realities are driving the University of �鶹��ý Board of Regents request for $3,724,600 to expand �鶹��ý’s healthcare workforce and improve access to care across the islands.

The funding would support UH’s new Health Science and Healthcare Interdisciplinary Workforce Initiative, a coordinated hire request that would add 18.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) clinician and faculty positions across five health sciences units to address severe shortages in high-need medical fields, including cancer, neurology and dementia, and behavioral health integration and addiction medicine.

“UH has a kuleana to the people and ʻāina of �鶹��ý, and that responsibility drives us to focus on solutions that make a real difference in our communities,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “By strengthening our healthcare workforce, we can train more providers and expand access to care for kupuna and families across all islands.”

Expanding the healthcare pipeline, patient care

The coordinated hire would add clinician faculty who both train future healthcare providers and deliver direct patient care in rural and underserved communities across the state.

“The goal is to improve access to care across all islands by providing direct clinical services and addressing shortages in underserved communities,” said UH ����ԴDz� Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “This coordinated request for positions will increase the workforce pipeline by training more doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and other health providers essential to providing high quality care for patients with dementia, addictions, or other behavioral health challenges.”

Addressing high-priority health needs

The initiative spans five UH units—UH ����ԴDz�’s , the , the , the , and the UH Hilo —and focuses on clinician leaders and researchers working with state and health system partners through community-based, interprofessional approaches aligned with legislative priorities.

Funding would be directed toward three high-priority health areas identified as critical needs for the state:

• Cancer ($1,674,400; 6.35 FTE): Establishing an accredited hematology-oncology fellowship and expanding clinical research capacity.
• Neurology and Dementia ($1,162,200; 7.40 FTE): Creating an accredited neurology residency program and expanding the Kūpuna Workforce Innovation Hub.
• Behavioral Health Integration and Addiction Medicine ($888,000; 4.75 FTE): Expanding the Education and Research Center of Addiction Medicine and enhancing telehealth services.
• Beyond direct patient care, the initiative would support statewide continuing education in dementia care and behavioral health–primary care integration, consistent with �鶹��ý State Department of Health and legislative priorities.

Targeted request in a tight budget climate

The initiative is one of two high-priority items in UH’s $18.8 million supplemental operating budget request () for fiscal year 2026–27, introduced amid slowing state revenue growth.

“We purposefully limited the request to major strategic items that are time-sensitive and provide essential benefits to both the state and the university,” said UH Vice President for Budget and Finance Luis Salaveria. “Given the current fiscal climate, this approach allows UH to focus its resources on areas where the need is greatest, and the impact on �鶹��ý’s communities will be most immediate.”

Caring for a loved one with cancer can be isolating, but more than 100 people found support, education and connection at “Caring for Caregivers,” a free interactive workshop held January 17, at the University of �鶹��ý Cancer Center in Kakaʻako.

Presented by the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community, the quarterly workshop brought together in-person and online participants to learn about caregiver research, practice journaling for emotional processing, and take part in facilitated breakout discussions for caregivers and for patients, survivors and thrivers.

“Caregiving can feel very lonely. But the message we want to convey to all caregivers is: You’re not alone,” said Peter Hirano, whose late wife, Susan Hirano, was a patient advocate and founder of the Cancer CARE Community. He shared personal reflections from his wife’s cancer journey and emphasized the importance of self-care and connection.

‘Acknowledge, uplift, educate and empower’

In �鶹��ý, more than 70,000 people are living with cancer, and about one in four adults are family caregivers. Hirano said the event was designed to “acknowledge, uplift, educate and empower caregivers, who often are among the unsung heroes of the cancer journey.”

Featured speakers included Kevin Cassel, associate director for community outreach and engagement at the UH Cancer Center, who highlighted current caregiver research and practical resources for patients and families. Faryal Michaud, a palliative care physician and certified life and wellness coach, led participants through a journaling exercise focused on reframing anxious or overwhelming thoughts.

“It is important to connect with other people in your environment and your community, to talk and hold space for each other,” Michaud said. “Your experience as a caregiver is legitimate and important as well.”

The next free workshop, “How Clinical Trials Save Lives,” will be held April 18. More information is available at the

The University of �鶹��ý is launching an exploratory effort to strengthen coordination between the UH ����ԴDz� (JABSOM) and the , which are located next to each other on the same property in Kakaʻako. The initiative aims to enhance collaboration in health sciences research, education and community service, and support �鶹��ý’s growing health workforce needs.

Over the past decade, the UH units emerged as a major hub for health sciences innovation and partnership, bringing together faculty, researchers, students, clinicians and community organizations. UH leaders say that greater alignment across the two academic and research units could build on that momentum and help expand access to care across the islands.

Exploration, collaboration

In a January 14 message sent to the JABSOM and UH Cancer Center employees, UH President Wendy Hensel, UH ����ԴDz� Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos, UH Cancer Center Director Naoto T. Ueno and JABSOM Dean Samuel Shomaker emphasized that the initial phase will be exploratory and collaborative.

“As we look ahead, we have a shared opportunity to build on this foundation so that our work is even more impactful for the people of �鶹��ý,” the message noted. “This initial phase will focus on identifying areas where shared administrative services, joint planning and enhanced communication can support our collective mission.”

The effort will examine opportunities related to facilities and campus operations, fiscal and grants administration, clinical research support and other core functions essential to academic and research excellence. UH leaders stressed that there are no plans to eliminate positions as part of the exploration.

“This exploratory work will preserve and strengthen the distinct missions of both institutions, JABSOM’s medical education and academic autonomy, and the UH Cancer Center’s National Cancer Institute designation and programmatic leadership, while seeking efficiencies and synergies that support both,” stated the university leaders in the message.

A working group representing both units will convene in early 2026 to help inform next steps. The coordination effort will be conducted in an open, consultative and transparent manner with continued engagement of faculty, staff, students and partners.

The University of �鶹��ý’s standing as a premier global research institution has been further solidified with the release of the , which features nearly 60 of the university’s top faculty and researchers at UH ����ԴDz� and UH Hilo. This elite designation honors scholars who rank in the top 0.05% of all researchers worldwide based on lifetime achievement and significant impact within their specialties.

From pioneering work in climate dynamics and volcanology to breakthrough discoveries in cancer research, these honorees represent the pinnacle of academic productivity and quality. ScholarGPS algorithms categorize a wide range of scholarly research into 14 fields, which are subdivided into 177 distinct disciplines. Research is further categorized into a dynamic list of many niche specialties.

“To have our researchers ranked among the top 0.05% in the world is a remarkable achievement that reflects our institution’s legacy of excellence,” said Chad Walton, UH interim vice president for research and innovation. “These scholars are not only leaders in their respective fields—from the depths of our oceans to the far reaches of space—but they are also the engine driving innovation that directly benefits the people of �鶹��ý and our global community.”

Highly ranked scholars:

• 1. Bin Wang, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), UH ����ԴDz�
• 2. David M. Karl, SOEST
• 3. Brian Bowen, SOEST
• 4. Julian McCreary, SOEST
• 5. Edward S. Fisher, UH ����ԴDz�
• 6. Richard E. Moore, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, UH ����ԴDz�
• 7. Bruce Houghton, SOEST
• 8. Robert E. Paull, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), UH ����ԴDz�
• 9. Helen H. Yu, Department of Public Administration, College of Social Sciences, UH ����ԴDz�
• 10. Takie Sugiyama Lebra, UH ����ԴDz�
• 11. Weilin Qu, College of Engineering, UH ����ԴDz�
• 12. Bo Qiu, SOEST
• 13. Ryuzo Yanagimachi, UH ����ԴDz�
• 14. Henri Casanova, Department of Information and Computer Sciences, College of Natural Sciences
• 15. Yuqing Wang, SOEST
• 16. Raymond B. Cattell, UH ����ԴDz�
• 17. Michele Carbone, UH Cancer Center, UH ����ԴDz�
• 18. Richard M. Manshardt, CTAHR
• 19. Rick Kazman, Shidler College of Business, UH ����ԴDz�
• 20. John M. J. Madey, UH ����ԴDz�
• 21. John A. Shepherd, UH Cancer Center
• 22. Manfred B. Steger, Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences
• 23. Klaus Wyrtki, UH ����ԴDz�
• 24. Stephen N. Haynes, Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences
• 25. Daniel D. Suthers, Department of Information and Computer Sciences, College of Natural Sciences
• 26. Margaret J. McFall-Ngai, SOEST
• 27. Barbara Watson Andaya, College of Arts, Languages and Letters (CALL), UH ����ԴDz�
• 28. Dru C. Gladney, UH ����ԴDz�
• 29. Murli H. Manghnani, SOEST
• 30. Elaine Hatfield, Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences
• 31. Theodore S. Rodgers, UH ����ԴDz�
• 32. Craig Smith, SOEST
• 33. Edward F. DeLong, UH ����ԴDz�
• 34. Karl Seff, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences
• 35. Roger Lukas, SOEST
• 36. Russell H. Messing, CTAHR
• 37. Efraim Turban, UH ����ԴDz�
• 38. Leonard Y. Andaya, Department of History, CALL
• 39. Masayoshi Yamaguchi, UH Cancer Center
• 40. Richard L Rapson, Department of History, CALL
• 41. Thomas A. Wills, UH Cancer Center
• 42. Andrew E. Christie, UH ����ԴDz�
• 43. Dieter Mueller-Dombois, CTAHR
• 44. Wai-Fah Chen, College of Engineering
• 45. Garry A Rechnitz, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences
• 46. Michael J. Antal, UH ����ԴDz�
• 47. Curtis C. Daehler, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences
• 48. Paul J. Scheuer, UH ����ԴDz�
• 49. George S. Hammond, UH ����ԴDz�
• 50. Ronald H. Heck, College of Education, UH ����ԴDz�
• 51. Loic Le Marchand, UH Cancer Center
• 52. Victor M. Lubecke, College of Engineering
• 53. Robert S. Desowitz, John A. Burns School of Medicine, UH ����ԴDz�
• 54. Adrian Dunn, SOEST
• 55. Alan H. Teramura, College of Natural Sciences
• 56. J. Patrick Henry, Institute for Astronomy, UH ����ԴDz�
• 57. Laurence N. Kolonel, UH Cancer Center
• 58. Naoto T. Ueno, UH Cancer Center
• 59. Anthony D. Wright, UH Hilo

There are some researchers on the list who have retired or passed away.

.

Director Naoto Ueno and his wife, Miwa Ueno, have announced an estate gift to the to establish the Michiko, Miwa, and Naoto Ueno Memorial Fund—an endowed fund that will provide long-term, unrestricted support for the UH Cancer Center’s most pressing needs.

The gift reflects a deeply personal commitment to the future of cancer care and research in �鶹��ý, shaped by family, gratitude and a sense of responsibility to the community the Uenos now call home.

“This gift comes from gratitude and responsibility—a deep sense of kuleana, our shared obligation to give back to the community that has welcomed us so warmly,” said Ueno. “We are grateful for the care and hope we’ve experienced through the Cancer Center, and we feel a responsibility to help ensure future generations in �鶹��ý and across the Pacific will have access to even stronger cancer care and research.”

…cancer care is never just about science or medicine: it’s about people, their stories and the legacy we leave behind.
—Naoto Ueno

The fund is named for Miwa’s mother, Michiko Ueno, whose success in international business helped make the gift possible; Miwa, whose values shape the couple’s vision; and Naoto, whose life’s work has been dedicated to advancing cancer research and care.

“The fund’s name carries deep meaning,” Naoto said. “Each name reminds us that cancer care is never just about science or medicine: it’s about people, their stories and the legacy we leave behind.”

As director, Naoto has led efforts to expand clinical trials, increase access for patients across the islands and strengthen the UH Cancer Center’s research excellence. The endowed fund will provide the flexibility to respond to emerging needs with timeliness and impact.

“Our hope is that this fund will empower the Cancer Center for years to come, supporting groundbreaking research, expanding clinical trials, and opening doors to education and outreach,” Ueno said. “We want this legacy to give the Center the courage to stay bold and innovative—unafraid to lead.”

A survivor of both myelodysplastic syndrome and sarcoma, Ueno said his most affirming moments come when research translates into real-world impact.

“I do not want anyone in �鶹��ý and the Pacific to go through the same suffering I went through. And the only way to cure cancer is through research,” he said.

Read the full story on the .

A University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa team won the Best Novelty and Impact Award at an international hackathon for a project designed to transform how community health workers (CHWs) support patients during and after remote check-ins.

The winning project, “,” acts as a “digital co-pilot,” utilizing speech analysis and artificial intelligence to flag possible signs of hidden distress. The system analyzes both what a patient says and how it is said—through the tone and pacing of a patient’s speech—to detect possible signs of emotional or mental distress and sends a discreet alert to the CHW along with a context aware suggestion to guide a more supportive response.

The goal of Aurion is to reduce missed emotional cues and workload of CHWs so that they can focus more on giving people the care they need. Beyond real-time support, the tool streamlines post-conversation administrative workflows. The tool is designed to reduce post-conversation paperwork for CHWs by about 70% by automatically filling out forms for them.

The UH Mānoa team included:

• Akib Sadmanee (PhD student in and a master’s graduate)
• Quang Loc Lam (PhD student in and a master’s graduate in economics)
• Fahim Yasir ( data systems analyst and a master’s graduate in )

“We wanted to create something that could make a real difference, especially here in �鶹��ý,” Sadmanee said. “Tools like this have the potential to improve care in communities where access and distance can be real challenges.”

The hackathon was held December 5–6, at the UH Mānoa Campus Center, and was part of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Automatic Speech Recognition and Understanding (ASRU) Workshop held December 6 to December 10 at the Hyatt Regency, Waikīkī. The event brought together students, researchers and professionals to develop solutions to real-world challenges in speech and language technology.

The team presented its work during the main ASRU 2025 program verbally in front of judges and also as a poster to the general audience, and received a certificate of achievement.

The University of �鶹��ý has secured two major grants from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, each exceeding $1 million, which will support health-oriented initiatives. One grant will go to the and the other to the (JABSOM).

“Helmsley is committed to helping communities overcome barriers to care,” said Walter Panzirer, a trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “Investing in expanded clinical capacity and hands-on training aligns with our core belief that access to health and opportunity shouldn’t depend on where you live.”

Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center

The UH Cancer Center award will fund essential start-up costs for the groundbreaking new Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center, scheduled to open in March 2026. With the launch of Hoʻōla, local residents will be able to participate in pioneering cancer trials close to home for the first time. Until now, many patients have faced the burden of traveling to the U.S. continent for early-stage studies, or have not been able to afford going at all.

“This support from the Helmsley Trust will help us accelerate the launch of the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center—a critical step toward expanding access to novel cancer treatments for our communities,” said UH Cancer Center Director Naoto T. Ueno, who is a two-time cancer survivor himself. “This aligns with our mission to save lives in �鶹��ý and in the Pacific, and strengthens our position as a local and national leader in cancer research.”

Advanced training equipment for medical education

Helmsley’s support will enhance medical education statewide by upgrading simulation and training resources at JABSOM and on the neighbor islands. New Anatomage Tables—real-human-based virtual dissection systems—transform the teaching and study of anatomy. Deploying these state-of-the-art tools on the neighbor islands ensures JABSOM students and trainees learning in rural areas will have equitable access to education. In addition, portable ultrasounds and advanced procedural models will expand hands-on learning for students, residents and healthcare professionals.

“The Helmsley Charitable Trust’s investment helps JABSOM continue its commitment to training doctors who are prepared to meet �鶹��ý’s unique healthcare challenges,” said JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker. “Upgrading our simulation equipment strengthens our capacity to teach with precision, safety and compassion.”

“These gifts demonstrate Helmsley’s belief in UH’s ability to deliver both innovation and impact—from pioneering research to hands-on medical training,” said UH Foundation CEO and UH Vice President of Advancement Tim Dolan. “We are deeply grateful for this support, which strengthens �鶹��ý’s healthcare future from discovery to delivery.”

.

A study suggests that breast cancer patients may benefit longer from antibody-drug treatments if doctors switch to a different drug type after the first one stops working.

Presented December 10, 2025, at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the research shows that in laboratory and animal models, tumors that stopped responding to one antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) regained sensitivity when treated with a follow-up ADC carrying a different drug class.

ADCs work by using an antibody to guide a potent cancer drug directly to tumor cells. Many breast cancer ADCs, however, use the same DNA-targeting drug type, and clinical experience has shown that using similar ADCs back-to-back often provides limited benefit.

The UH team found this may be due to cross-resistance. In models of both HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer, switching from a DNA-targeting drug to a cell-division–blocking drug restored tumor control, even though the antibody was still hitting the same cancer-cell marker.

“A simple takeaway is this: After a cancer progresses on one ADC, choose the next ADC with a different kind of drug,” said Jangsoon (Jason) Lee, associate professor and director of the UH Cancer Center Preclinical Core. “This drug-guided approach could help these smart treatments work longer for patients.”

“These findings show that drug resistance is not necessarily the end of the line for cancer patients,” added Naoto T. Ueno, UH Cancer Center director. “Choosing the right kind of drug next could help more patients benefit from ADCs.”

The UH Cancer Center is now working with clinical partners to design studies that match the next ADC’s drug payload to how a patient’s tumor becomes resistant, aiming to extend treatment benefit.