CTAHR's Inaugural Conference Celebrates Dean's Awards and SRS Winners!

Our inaugural CTAHR Conference was held on April 11-12 at the UHM Campus Center. Over 300 participants attended keynote sessions, workshops, trainings, and panel sessions. Dr. Parwinder Grewal updates during the CTAHR State of the College, Mr. Karam Tascoe of Microsoft shared the latest developments on AI in Education, Dr. Marisa Wall of PBARC highlighted the importance of collaborations with CTAHR, and Dr. Amjad Ahmad spoke about his research on the Bunchy Banana Top Virus.

Participants also had opportunities to network, connect with resources throughout UHM, as well as organizations and businesses with career or internship opportunities for students. Mahalo to the following organizations for their participation:

• Manoa Resource World Cafe
  • CTAHR Offices - Planning and Management Systems (PMSO) - Facilities, PMSO - Health & Safety, CTAHR Alumni Relations, CTAHR Extension, CTAHR HR)
  • UHM Departments - Public Safety
  • UHM Offices - Student Success
  • UH System Offices - Land and Ocean Conservation Futures
  • Dr. Theresa Crichfield, Associate Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean of Students
• Careers After CTAHR
  • Bayer, Dole, Hale Ola Pet Hospital, Hawaiian Host Group, Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, Hawaii Young Healthcare Professionals, Kualoa Ranch, Microsoft, Oʻahu Resource Conservation & Development Council, Pono Pacific, Terminix, Simonpietri Enterprises, YMCA, Keiki O Ka ʻĀina
  • Federal - USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
  • State Agencies - Department of Agriculture, Department of Land & Natural Resources

The CTAHR Showcase and Research Symposium (SRS) welcomed the return of poster presentations. Over 70 students participated in 15 minute orals, 30 minute orals, poster presentations, and presented in person as well as to audiences via Zoom. Mahalo to our CTAHR Faculty, Staff, and Community Partners for serving as evaluators for the event. Our top winners received $600 and our merit winners received $400. Congratulations to our winners:

The conference concluded with the closing reception at the Japanese Cultural Center, where over 300 attendees celebrated our new Dean's Awards winners. Congratulations to the winners:

• Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Ka Lei Hano Award
• Ken Kamiya, Outstanding Alumnus Award
• Susan Crow, Excellence in Research Award
• Nancy Ooki, Excellence in Extension Award
• Sothy Eng, Excellence in Teaching Award
• Yanghua He, Excellence in Teaching Award, Honorable Mention
• Teresita “Tessie” Amore, Ka Pouhana Mentorship Award
• Terilyn Sunada, Outstanding APT Staff
• Eunice Domingo, Outstanding Civil Service Staff
• Joseph DeFrank, Outstanding Extension Volunteer
• ʻAlohi Nakachi, Ka Hana Po‘okela Grad Student Award
• Angelina Johnson, Ka Hana Po‘okela Undergrad Student Award

On Saturday, participants also had the opportunity to tour 11 farms and businesses throughout Oahu. Tour highlights included prepared watercress samples at Sumida Farms, making manju at Hawaiian Pie Company, and touring the new Academy of Natural Resources building at Waipahu High School.

Mahalo to everyone that assisted in planning the event, and to all who attended the conference! Please check out photos of the event on CTAHR’s Flickr.