A high school student conducted award-winning research on marine sponges at the University of 撸sir视频ʻi at Mānoa (HIMB). That research is now taking University Laboratory School junior Kian Sanchez to two high-caliber competitions on the U.S. continent.
Mentored by Jan Vicente, coral reef biodiversity researcher at HIMB in 撸sir视频 惭ā苍辞补’蝉 (SOEST), Sanchez assessed the importance of marine sponges in the reef ecosystem. Specifically, he was interested in how sponges, which are filter-feeders and critical to the nutrient cycling on a coral reef, may be impacted by pollution and climate change.
Placing third in the and third at the , Sanchez qualified to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition, in in New Mexico.
“Since the first day I met Kian, I was inspired to teach him what I know about marine sponges because his curiosity and relentless motivation to do science at such a young age was absolutely stunning and foreign to me,” said Vicente.
Preparing young scientists
Sanchez has always had an intrinsic curiosity about the world around him and with the ocean in particular. His love for science and the ocean culminated into a passion for the aquarium hobby, which was his gateway into marine biology.
During the summer of 2023, Sanchez met Vicente during his participation in the (REMS) program at HIMB. The six-week summer course offers a rigorous, place-based, early-college marine science experience for 撸sir视频ʻi high school 撸sir视频.
“As the purpose of REMS is to prepare young scientists to tackle marine science issues in 撸sir视频ʻi, it is incredibly rewarding to watch alumni, like Kian, expand the limits of our understanding of the ocean and the complex life within it,” said Christine Ambrosino Carrier, a discipline-based education researcher in the KeaoaLoʻe REMS Lab who helps coordinate the experience.
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–By Marcie Grabowski