Alumni News

Congratulations to Daniel K. Owens, PhD, recipient of a 2021 National Science Foundation CAREER Award! Among the most prestigious honors in academia, the award cuts across all fields of science and is given to a very limited number of faculty across the country. It is a five-year (not three-year) grant and doesn’t skimp on the financial provision: Daniel will receive $876K to support his project, “Determining the Metabolic Organization and Enzymology of the Fundamentally Important Flavonoid Biosynthetic Pathway.”

“I am beyond thrilled to be awarded this NSF-CAREER grant and with it, the opportunity to continue this research and be able to work with and mentor the next generation of scientists,” says Daniel, an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering.

3-D Metabolons

Expanding our understanding of plant metabolism is a long-time passion for Daniel. In fact, his very first undergraduate research experience was in examining the biochemistry of flavonoid biosynthesis. With the NSF support, a primary research goal will be to explore “metabolons” three-dimensional representations that are more holistic and realistic than two-dimensional models.

“Many plants use the extra energy from photosynthesis to make secondary metabolites for various purposes, such as sunscreens, signaling, protection, etc.,” Daniel explains. “The traditional way to portray that metabolic pathway is to illustrate the substrate (inputs) and products (outputs) of each step, along with the order in which these steps occur. Similar to a blueprint: we know what goes in and what comes out.”

However, two-dimensional models can’t tell us what actually happens inside the plant, such as how the enzymes are arranged within an actual, living organism to perform activities, or how compounds come together in different ways to make different chemical processes. For example, how a citrus flavonoid is formed inside an orange to directly influence the taste characteristics.

“Metabolon enzymes come together in specific ways, similar to making a machine in an assembly line,” Daniel says. “So how compounds interact in 3-D will determine how that machine get formed, and which product gets made in the end.”

“It’s a fundamental question, but if we can figure it out, we can potentially copy it synthetically to make an orange sweeter, or make new antibiotics and other medicines. People have tried to do this before, but with limited success – and I think it’s because the strategies were based on 2-D models. I think 3-D will give us more powerful infrastructure in which to work, an extra level of information we need to be successful. It’s going be a big jump forward.”

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The National Science Foundation CAREER awards are in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through research and education, and the integration of these endeavors in the context of their organizations' missions. The awards, presented once each year, include a federal grant for research and education activities for five consecutive years.

The most recent example of an invasive threat to our agriculture, urban and natural ecosystems is the Ramie Moth. Last month, the presence of Arcte coerula was confirmed on the east side of the Big Island attacking mamaki, traditional medicinal plants that are endemic to the Hawaiian islands. They’re also indirectly threatening the endemic Kamehameha butterfly by competing for the same native host plant resources. What gets less media attention is the Dept. of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, whose researchers and Extension specialists and agents are constantly at the frontlines of pest management, using the latest basic and applied research to protect our ecosystems from these invaders.

In 2018, when the Ramie Moth was first spotted on Maui, PEPS was there with molecular tools to confirm it. Now, PEPS is surveying the moth’s distribution in Hawaiʻi, and searching for potential natural enemies.

Diseases and Damaging Insects

It’s important to note, many invasive species are STILL in Hawaiʻi, still threatening our food supply and way of life – even if you haven’t read or heard about them recently. The following is just a fraction of PEPS’ efforts to eradicate or mitigate the dangers:

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles: Since 2013, PEPS’ Agrosecurity and Turf and Landscape Pest Management Labs have coordinated a large, multi-agency response against the spread of CRB. These efforts have largely contained the CRB population on Oʻahu, allowing Hawaiʻi’s palm to continue to thrive. Modern genomic techniques (ddRADseq) were used by PEPS’ Insect Systematics and Biodiversity Lab to trace the regional invasion pathways of CRB.

Coffee Leaf Rust: PEPS is engaged in the state response to CLR, a major threat to the Hawaiʻi coffee industry. PEPS’ Agrosecurity Lab performed the initial diagnostic assays of CLR last October, and is now assisting in the Section 18 Emergency Exemption of a pesticide to manage this pathogen. We obtained a Controlled Import Permit to introduce (under quarantine) varieties with potential resistance to CLR from Central America, are performing molecular characterization of CLR isolates from Hawaiʻi to develop future management approaches, and conducting efficacy and residue trials to provide the required data for new pesticides registration in Hawaiʻi that will protect specialty crops, including coffee.

Meanwhile, we are investigating the potential of parasitoids, insect pathogens, and repellent pheromones to manage coffee berry borer, another invasive species of coffee that can damage >80% of coffee production. The success of these efforts should provide an economical and sustainable alternative to the costly insect-pathogenic fungus applications that currently require intense federal subsidies to keep our state’s coffee industry afloat.

Fruit Fly: Hawaiʻi is under a full federal fruit fly quarantine, which has restricted our fruits from being exported to the Mainland. We’re searching for insecticides, biological control agents, and pheromone traps to overcome pesticide-resistant populations. Along with developing new early detection tools, we are collaborating with the federal Dept. of Agriculture on male annihilation and sterile insect techniques.  

Many, Many More: Invasive species management efforts led by PEPS – and of high significance to Hawaiʻi – include citrus leprosis eradication, resistance against basil downy mildew, Phytophthora blight of papaya, black pod rot of cacao, avocado root ro

His first experiment as a teenager? An underwater bomb. Kent Kobayashi still has all ten fingers, but his aunts needed a new sink to do their laundry. In a recent interview with Astrobotany.com, the Associate Professor in the Dept. of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences shared his love of science, the insatiable curiosity that has driven a career in agricultural research, and his endeavors into space farming models that could one day feed astronauts on Mars. Two recent presentations, “Simulated Martian Soil for Hydroponically Grown Pak Choi Plants” and “The Lab on the Edge of Forever: Mentoring Space Farming Student Projects” led to the interview.

“I am honored to have been interviewed about my career and the love I have for plants, science, and science fiction,” says Kent, also a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science.

“I am excited to be conducting research that will benefit the state of Hawaiʻi through controlled environment agriculture, indoor farming and vertical farming,” he adds. “They will become increasingly important for our food security and environmental sustainability.”

Read the full interview.

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Astrobotany.com is dedicated to educating the public about the importance of growing plants in space, and plants on earth. Visit them.

by Samir Khanal.  When Renisha Karki joined our Environment and Bioenergy Research Lab in Spring 2019, she had no research skills or experience of working in a laboratory. She is originally from Nepal, a beautiful south Asian country, rich in geographical and cultural diversity, and renowned for Mt. Everest and as the birthplace of Buddha. However, there is a predominance of conventional patriarchal norms that has negatively affected the quality of life for women, who are often discouraged to aim for higher education. I watched as she worked hard and dedicated herself to learning all of the necessary research skills, and within just one year, Renisha had transformed herself, attaining a high level of research skills and a remarkable research temperament, along with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

I am proud to announce that Renisha was recently accepted for Ph.D. studies, starting in the Fall, at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, which I believe has one of the best environmental engineering programs in the world. Moreover, she will be working with my long-term collaborator, Prof. Lutgarde Raskin, who was recently elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

At Michigan, she will be working in the field of environmental remediation, focusing on microbiome analysis. As a long-term goal, she plans to use her research skills for the betterment of society and environmental health.

I am so excited for Renisha. As her future career unfolds, I hope she will continue to think of MBBE, CTAHR, and UHM as a place where top-class research is conducted and taught to its students. If you see Renisha, please congratulate her on the next step in her journey.

CTAHR’s “Ask the Alumni Expert” series continues with Dr. Raquel Wong, Hawaiʻi State Veterinarian and an alum of our animal sciences program, who will answer all your questions about your furry friends!  Thursday, March 18th 5:00 p.m. *Dr. Wong can answer your questions, but it is imperative to seek guidance from your pet's veterinarian before making ANY changes to their current routine.  Coffee Hour. CTAHR’s Student Ambassadors will host a Coffee Hour on Wednesday, March 24, starting at 4:00 p.m. Talk story with alumni guests, and enter for a chance to win prizes.

“To tackle on the ongoing pandemic, we are providing space and support for students to finish the Spring Semester,” says Jessie Radovich of the Academic and Student Affairs Office.

Sign up here and if any questions, contact Nicole Acasio of the Dept. of Family and Consumer Sciences. Zoom link to come.