A University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa student-led team has developed a new algorithm to help scientists determine direction in complex two-dimensional (2D) data, with potential applications ranging from particle physics to machine learning. The research was .

The algorithm development, led by undergraduate Jeffrey G. Yepez, helps scientists figure out where tiny, nearly invisible particles called neutrinos are coming from. These particles can reveal information about nuclear reactors, the sun, and faraway cosmic events. The method is based on a clever math discovery: the team found a formula that lets them match patterns in data and accurately pinpoint the direction of the source.

The students were guided by UH Mānoa Professor John G. Learned and received additional mentoring from UH alumnus and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory staff scientist Viacheslav Li, thanks to funding from the Consortium for Monitoring, Technology and Verification. The project began with simulated neutrino data to locate nuclear reactors, and further studies are underway.

“What excites us most is that this approach gives researchers a clearer mathematical foundation for extracting direction from noisy, real-world data,” Yepez said. “It is a tool that scales with technological improvements in detectors, computing power and data volume, making it valuable far beyond the initial physics application.”

The algorithm uses a mathematical tool called the Frobenius norm to measure differences between grids of numbers, effectively acting as a “distance formula” for large data tables. By rotating a reference dataset and comparing it to measured data, the algorithm identifies the rotation that produces the smallest difference, revealing the most likely direction of the signal. Simulations show the method works especially well with high-resolution data and large datasets.

While motivated by neutrino detection, the approach could be applied across multiple fields. Potential uses include astronomy, medical imaging, weather mapping, and any system that relies on pattern recognition, offering a versatile new tool for scientists and engineers.

Other UH Mānoa authors on the paper include Jackson D. Seligman, Max A. A. Dornfest and Brian C. Crow. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is part of UH Mānoa’s .

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa selected “analogue” as its 2025 Word of the Year for �鶹��ý. Analogue refers to ways of thinking and creating that depend on human judgment, attention and physical engagement rather than automation. The department’s choice highlights the enduring value of human-centered thinking, creativity and interpretation in an age of artificial intelligence.

“Many of our students are contemplating careers in writing, teaching, the law and other fields involving communication, interpretation, critical thinking, and creativity, and they have concerns about the impact of GenAI on their future prospects,” said John David Zuern, UH Mānoa Department of English chair and professor. “They have welcomed opportunities to engage in what might be called ‘analogue intelligence,’ reading printed texts and annotating them by hand, drafting essays on paper, hand-crafting their own books, and taking part in oral presentations and performances in class.”

UH Mānoa Department of English faculty members, and students making up the leadership, came up with the word this year.

“Rather than a retreat into the past, we see this enthusiasm for the analogue as a ‘back to the future’ impulse, a commitment to the skills and values of a liberal education that will remain essential in a world transformed by AI technologies,” Zuern said.

Merriam-Webster announced its as “slop” on December 14. Slop is defined by Merriam-Webster as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence,” and Zuern said the department sees “analogue” as a counterpoint to “slop.”

The 2025 Hawaiian Word of the Year selected by the , is kāhuli—to change, to alter, to overturn. In the Kumulipo, kāhuli describes the transformation that warmed the earth and unfolded the heavens, catalyzing the formation of the universe itself. Read more at this UH News story.

Future engineers are getting a firsthand look at �鶹��ý’s growing microelectronics field, as the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa wrapped up its first internship cycle tied to a multi-million-dollar national innovation hub.

The internship experience was part of the , which received $15.3 million in federal funding as part of a larger $238 million U.S. Department of Defense initiative to strengthen U.S. leadership in advanced computer chip design and production. UH is part of the Northwest AI Hub along with several institutions, including Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.

Five undergraduate students participated in the inaugural internship at UH Mānoa, including three undergraduates who transferred from a UH community college. Their 10-week long experience included research and lectures on chip design and fabrication, with projects ranging from organic light-emitting diodes to pressure sensors. Students also became familiar with cleanroom practices and equipment, laying the foundation for continued work this fall.

Internship participant Jenny Brown, an major, was also selected to travel to the University of Washington for four days to observe a cleanroom internship there. The visit provided insight into how other partner institutions run their programs and offered ideas that UH Mānoa can adapt for the next cohort, expected to expand in 2026.

“Working in UH’s microelectronics internship and visiting the cleanroom program at the University of Washington gave me a full perspective on how advanced chip design programs operate,” Brown said. “It showed me the growth and value of investing in �鶹��ý‘s future. We have incredible, growing talent here, and I’m eager to bring back the inspired ideas and strategies to the next student cohort.”

Connecting with employers

As part of their experience, students took part in site visits to Nalu Scientific and the Naval Information Warfare Center, building connections with local employers. Program leaders said such visits are critical for showing students career opportunities in �鶹��ý and supporting efforts to retain technical talent in the state.

“This first internship cycle showed how powerful hands-on training can be for our students,” Professor Jeffrey Weldon said. “They not only gained technical skills, but also built connections with local employers that will help strengthen �鶹��ý’s high-tech workforce.”

UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s role in the $15.3 million project emphasizes both workforce training and industry engagement, bridging research expertise with practical experience. With the first round of internships completed, UH leaders plan to scale the program to reach more students in future years.

A student film created at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa has earned international recognition at the . “Praying Mantis,” written and directed by UH Mānoa student Hulita Drake, was named among the winners of the 2025 festival in the zero budget category.

The film tells the story of a young woman who attends a college costume party dressed as a praying mantis, only to find herself out of place until a chance encounter changes the course of her night. What begins as a seemingly romantic connection unravels into disappointment, sparking a journey of obsession, prayer and unexpected action.

Drake collaborated with fellow UH students Lauren Piehler, who served as cinematographer, and AJ Taylor, who handled sound recording. The production also received support from other classmates, and community members Olivia Vela and Jase Andrews starred in leading roles.

Drake and members of the student team traveled to Auckland, New Zealand, for the festival’s October 7 celebration event. The trip marked an opportunity to showcase their work on an international stage while connecting with filmmakers from across the Pacific.

“Receiving this recognition at the South Pacific International Film Festival is an incredible honor,” said Drake, who earned a BA in and is working on a second bachelor’s degree in digital cinema from the UH Mānoa . “It’s a testament to the creativity, dedication and collaboration of our entire UH Mānoa student team. Being able to share ‘Praying Mantis’ on an international stage and connect with filmmakers from across the Pacific has been an inspiring experience that I will always cherish.”

“Praying Mantis” is currently screening on the film festival circuit and isn’t yet available to the public, but Drake hopes to release it on YouTube in the future.

The South Pacific International Film Festival highlights emerging and independent filmmakers from across the region. This year’s slate featured winners from the U.S., New Zealand, Indonesia and Fiji. “Praying Mantis” was one of three films from the U.S. selected for recognition.

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.

Windward Community College student Peter Scott, 18, has always been curious about the natural world. This propelled him into a nationally competitive summer research opportunity—the (REU) at the University of UH at Mānoa.

Out of more than 500 applicants across the country, only 10 were selected for the National Science Foundation funded program—and Scott was the one of only two students from �鶹��ý.

“It was really a cool experience. I’m very glad I got to participate in it. It was a big confidence boost for me,” Scott said. “I got to work with a lot of really, really smart people. And it definitely helped me figure out this is something I want to do. I want to do research, I want to do science, I want to continue in this field.”

Sinking land

Scott’s project focused on why some areas of �鶹��ý are sinking faster than others. By testing with an electrical current, he found that highly saturated soils and large amounts of fill may be driving subsidence in certain regions.

“It’s important to know why an area is subsiding, because that can affect how you want to plan for development,” he said. “It can affect whether or not you need to put in flood mitigation measures, or whether or not you need to change how you’re building infrastructure in an area, or whether you even want to build infrastructure in an area.”

Windward CC as a high schooler

Homeschooled since fourth grade, Scott enrolled in Windward CC’s early college program in 2023, while still in high school.

“I really enjoyed the smaller class sizes,” he said. “Going to a community college is a great place to start.”

One of Scott’s instructors, Arjun Aryal, told him about the REU program.

“Peter’s curiosity and drive for the natural sciences are impressive,” said Aryal. “As a student from Windward Community College, he met the objectives of the program: providing research experience to students from institutions with limited STEM opportunities.”

Aryal and UH Mānoa Assistant Researcher Amir Haroon served as Scott’s advisors for his research project.

Scott expects to earn an associate’s degree in the spring, then plans to continue at UH Mānoa in the fall with interests ranging from geology to botany and agriculture. One thing he is sure about his long-term goals: “I want to stay in �鶹��ý, ideally, and work in the field where I can be outdoors.”

—by Kelli Abe Trifonovitch

Growing up in Chandler, Arizona, thousands of miles from the nearest coastline, University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa major and undergraduate student Landon Schumaker never imagined his future would take him to the farthest reaches of the deep sea. But this summer, Schumaker conducted research in Perth, Australia, with the support of the , a funding opportunity administered by the UH Mānoa (UROP) and the .

From June through August, Schumaker worked with the Minderoo-University of Western Australia Deep-Sea Research Centre to study the Nova Canton Trough, a hadal region more than 6,000 meters deep. This area had never been studied at such scale and depth until recently.

Schumaker said that last year scientists conducted an expedition to the Nova Canton Trough and deployed cameras to assess deep-sea biodiversity between 2,471 and 7,983 meters deep. He contributed to meticulous work on this footage, including taxonomic identifications, statistical analyses and visualizations.

“The deep sea fascinates me because it feels like an entirely different world,” Schumaker said. “It’s a world that is perceived to be so far away, yet in reality, is on our planet and right beneath our surface waters. There are vast knowledge gaps, and every expedition brings the possibility of discovering something new.”

Schumaker’s work was complemented by monthly virtual check-ins with his UH Mānoa mentor, Professor Jeff Drazen in the , who has guided him for more than a year.

“Landon was pretty familiar with the deep ocean when he departed for Australia, and he had already analyzed deep-sea videos. But in Australia he really dug into big datasets, and he dramatically increased his ability to use statistical modeling to explore research results,” Drazen said. “I’m really impressed that he analyzed the data and has a draft of a peer reviewed paper. This was a stellar opportunity for Landon and he really capitalized on it.”

Looking ahead, the results from the Nova Canton Trough study are expected to lead to at least two scientific publications, with Schumaker as a co-author, and potentially lead author. Long-term, he hopes to pursue a PhD in biological oceanography and dedicate his career to exploring and protecting the deep sea.

More on the Tyler Fellowship

“The Tyler Fellowship provided me with the financial support I needed to travel, live abroad for an extended period and gave me the opportunity to learn about so many different projects going on around the world,” Schumaker said. “This fellowship meant a lot to me, as it was something I put a lot of effort into between developing a proposal and a project plan, and then being entrusted with this award. Receiving it was both rewarding and humbling.”

• Related UH News story: New UROP fellowship supports international undergraduate research, creative work, March 11, 2025

Applications for the Tyler Fellowship for summer 2026 are expected to open in spring 2026.

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From tracking invasive marine species, to exploring vegetation recovery on degraded, uninhabited islands, to studying tiny beetles threatening mangroves, eight University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa undergraduates spent two months this summer in the Galápagos Islands. Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation with additional support from UH Mānoa, and guided by research mentors from UH Mānoa and the Charles Darwin Foundation, the students conducted hands-on research on invasive species that connected them to ʻāina (land/sea), kānaka (people) and mālama ʻāina (stewardship).

The experience built on a preparatory spring course (NREM 491), where students learned the foundations of island invasion biology and developed their own research proposals.

Monitoring invasive species

Cienna Kahrobaie, a major, studied invasive marine species at boat docks around Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Using settlement plates (small experimental surfaces for marine organisms to grow on) deployed for two months, she compared species richness, percent cover, and community composition at docks experiencing differential boat traffic, and learned valuable identification techniques from experts at the Charles Darwin Foundation and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.

“Settlement plates allow scientists to get a glimpse of what is growing in marine communities around boat docks, so if we employ them at sites with specific maritime traffic patterns, we can more quickly detect invasive species of concern,” Kahrobaie said. “This would allow conservationists to respond quicker to these marine invasions and prevent their establishment.”

While conducting research, she found a moment of discovery while resting in a tidepool. By staying still, she observed fish, hermit crabs and even an octopus up close, learning that sometimes slowing down revealed more than trying to see it all at once.

Studying connections between islands

Riley Herron, a major, conducted research on Santa Fé Island, a remote, uninhabited Galápagos island recovering from heavy feral goat degradation and resulting ecological damage. She studied how the island’s microtopography affects microclimates critical for woody plant seedling establishment, setting up large plots to measure environmental conditions and seedling presence for the island’s three dominant woody species. Through her research, Herron found connections between the Galápagos and �鶹��ý.

“I hope my research helps highlight the interconnectedness of our ecosystems,” Herron said. “There are so many large-scale processes that shape what happens on the micro level, and as our climate continues to change, understanding those small-scale interactions becomes more important than ever. As island ecosystems are isolated, limited in resources and filled with endemism, they are the first to be impacted, emphasizing how important island conservation is globally.”

Tiny threatening beetles

Lana Mitchell, a major, studied how an invasive mangrove bark beetle affects native red mangrove seedlings, testing whether fertilizer could offset beetle damage. The project challenged her to conduct independent research while navigating new skills, from kayaking to communicating in Spanish, all while deepening her passion for conservation.

“I hope that this can aid scientists in measuring how much of a difference in survival and growth a propagule (a young mangrove seedling) can undergo with and without beetle infestations,” Mitchell said. “This research could help to determine the overall survival of native species in exposure to invasives, giving scientists a window of time in which to provide native species with resources to better sustain their growth and longevity in island ecosystems.”

Mitchell was struck by how comfortable Galápagos wildlife are around humans, spotting sea lions resting just steps away during her research. According to Mitchell, the experiences reinforced the local community’s dedication to conservation and strengthened her connection to the islands’ unique ecosystems.

“This immersive summer research program in the Galápagos is a collaborative effort that provides applied research experiences in invasive species ecology to UH Mānoa undergraduate students from across campus,” said Creighton Litton, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management professor, (UROP) director, and one of the eight UH Mānoa faculty members who designed and implemented the program over the past three years. “The success of this program stems from committed research mentors from both UH Mānoa and the Charles Darwin Foundation, financial support from NSF and UH Mānoa and, most importantly, fully engaged students from our campus who commit to a full research experience, from learning the basics and developing proposals on campus in the spring, to field data collection, analysis and write-up in the summer.”

This opportunity is the result of a collaboration between UH Mānoa and the Charles Darwin Foundation, and is funded by the National Science Foundation–International Research Experiences for Students, the UH Mānoa Provost’s Office to align the overall program with the campus goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning and the UH Mānoa Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship.

The deadline to apply for the 2026 program is October 15. .

Approximately 90 undergraduate students from the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa, Leeward Community College and other universities across the nation showcased their research and creative projects at the 2025 (SURE) Symposium on August 1.

Hosted annually by the UH Mānoa (UROP), the event featured oral and poster presentations at the �鶹��ý Imin International Conference Center.

“The symposium reflects the breadth and depth of student scholarship across all disciplines at UH Mānoa, as well as the university’s profile as an institution of academic excellence,” said UROP Program Coordinator Noah Perales-Estoesta. “As a land-grant and R1 university, UH Mānoa has a three-part mission to advance student education, promote research and serve the broader public. UROP is very proud to administer programming like the SURE Symposium that supports every part of that mission.”

Students presented research and creative work on topics including the potential of generative AI for personalized language learning and persistent organic pollutants in the waters of Pearl Harbor. Their projects also included studies on sustainable agriculture and the impact of performing arts as an interdisciplinary experience.

Presenters included UROP funding recipients, participants in National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates and participants in the ’s new Summer Research Institute.

UH President Wendy Hensel and UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos delivered opening remarks, highlighting the value of undergraduate research and creative work.

UROP funding support

Each year, UROP awards more than $500,000 in merit-based scholarships directly to students to support mentored undergraduate research and creative work projects and presentations. An additional $135,000 is awarded directly to mentors to support undergraduate research and creative work during the summer. The SURE Symposium is one of several regular on-campus presentation venues organized/co-organized by UROP. During the fall and spring semesters, UROP co-organizes the with the .

In 2021, Cole Cabrera, a �鶹��ý native and standout baseball player at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, was looking for one last opportunity to play the sport he loved and earn a graduate degree. Then came the call.

“I still remember the phone call with [University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa] head coach Rich Hill calling me to tell me he was offering me a scholarship to come play for �鶹��ý,” said Cabrera. “It was a no-brainer to come back home.”

He returned to Oʻahu to pursue a master of science in marketing management at the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa, graduating in 2022. The program made a lasting impact on his future.

“My master’s program curriculum was very rigorous and prepared me for the everyday challenges of the professional sector,” said Cabrera. “Shidler is a very respected business school, and knowing you are going to be challenged everyday just brings a sense of fire and passion you need to make it in the classroom and in life.”

While earning his degree, Cabrera was also fulfilling a childhood dream: representing UH baseball in front of the people who mattered most.

“Growing up in �鶹��ý, �鶹��ý is the professional team. It means a lot to put �鶹��ý on your chest and know that you are representing not only the state, but your home,” he said. “It’s an honor, and us local boys do not take that lightly.”

Today, Cabrera is a Realtor at Luxury Homes International and was appropriately named the company’s 2024 Real Estate Rookie of the Year.

“Advice I would tell young realtors is to be smart enough to create your own opportunities,” he said. “Go out and go get it!”

Read and learn more about other .