Student Bios

Emily Thyroff

Previous Degree(s)B.S. in Biology - James Madison UniversityM.S. in Forest Biology - Purdue University NREM TrackPh.D.Lab AdvisorTravis IdolResearch ProjectRegeneration of 'iliahi: hemiparasitic relationships in Hawaiian forestsA Fun Fact About YOU!Yoga, hiking, swimmingWebsitehttps://emilythyroff.weebly.com

'Alohi Nakachi

Previous Degree(s)BA in Marine Affairs- University of MiamiMS in Marine Affairs and Policy- University of MiamiNREM TrackPhDLab AdvisorKirsten OlesonResearch ProjectCultural Ecosystem Services, Social Values, operationalizing and mapping social informationA Fun Fact About YOU!I'm a SCUBA instructor and boat captainWebsite

Lansing Perng

Previous Degree(s)M.S. in Biology - California State University, NorthridgeB.S. in Marine Biology - University of California, Los AngelesNREM TrackPh.D.Lab AdvisorKirsten OlesonResearch ProjectIdentifying tipping points in social-ecological systems using human dimensions indicators and multi-criteria rankingA Fun Fact About YOU!I love rollerskating and crocheting cute little animals and cartoon characters!Websitehttps://lansingyperng.wixsite.com/home


Jessica Idle

Previous Degree(s)B.S. in Natural Resources & Environmental Management - UH MānoaNREM TrackM.S. Plan ALab AdvisorMelissa PriceResearch ProjectHawaiian stilt ('Ae'o, Himantopus mexicanus knudensi) reproductive success, juvenile prey availability, habitat use, and survivalA Fun Fact About YOU!I have handled over 350 birds including 'ua'u kani, 'ae'o, and pueoWebsitehttp://jessicaidle.weebly.com/

Cameron Ogden-Fung

Previous Degree(s)B.A. in Earth and Oceanographic Science and Environmental Studies - Bowdoin CollegeNREM TrackM.S. Plan ALab AdvisorMehana VaughanResearch ProjectEnhancing the role of surfing in biodiversity conservation and community development in IndonesiaA Fun Fact About YOU!I dance with Mother Earth and empower people to heal their connection with nature through movement and meditation.Websitehttp://www.groovewithgaia.com/

Rachael Cleveland

Previous Degree(s)B.S. in Environmental Science, minor in Biology - University of Oregon NREM TrackM.S. Plan ALab AdvisorKirsten Oleson Research ProjectUsing Stakeholder Objectives to Inform Fire Resource Management in Waiʻanae Hawaiʻi A Fun Fact About YOU!I have been embroidering and sewing with my grandma since I was 7 years old! Websitehttps://rachaelncleveland.weebly.com/

Olivia Wang

Previous Degree(s)B.S. in Animal Biology - University of California, DavisNREM TrackM.S. Plan ALab AdvisorMelissa PriceResearch ProjectFactors influencing the breeding ecology of pueo (Hawaiian Short-eared Owls; Asio flammeus sandiwchensis)A Fun Fact About YOU!Painting paired with a good podcast is my favorite way to destress.Websitehttps://oliviabirding.weebly.com

Malia Staab

Previous Degree(s)B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies - Earlham College NREM TrackM.E.M. (Master's of Environmental Management) Lab AdvisorMelissa PriceResearch ProjectAvian Botulism in Hawaiʻi: An Historical Analysis of Avian Botulism Outbreaks and the Establishment of a Botulism Working Group for Improved Wetland Management A Fun Fact About YOU!In the summer I work as a backpacking and sea kayak instructor in Alaska

Mandi Kollmeier

Previous Degree(s)B.A. Environmental Studies - Temple University NREM TrackM.E.M. (Master's of Environmental Management) Lab AdvisorMehana Vaughan Research ProjectFinding ways to bridge the gap between indigenous fishing community practices and conservation policy A Fun Fact About YOU!I have a corgi puppy back home, his name is Diego (aka Diablo)!

Natalie Coffee

Previous Degree(s)B.S. in Civil Engineering & Environmental Science - King's College, GCERT in Ocean Policy - University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa NREM TrackM.S. Plan A Lab AdvisorTravis Idol Research ProjectHow Hawaiʻi Nonprofits can benefit and would be affected by assuming entrepreneurial based business models A Fun Fact About YOU!I enjoy playing tennis, hiking, and going to the beach in my free time Websitehttps://nataliecoffee.weebly.com

NREM Graduate Alumni

Alexis R. Stubbs

Previous Degree(s)BS in Agriculture, Concentration of TPSA - University of Hawai'i at Hilo ASC in Hawaiian Lifestyles - West Hawai'i Community CollegeNREM DegreeM.E.M. (Masterʻs of Environmental Management)Lab AdvisorSusan CrowResearch ProjectEnergy Recovery in Closed-Loop Farming SystemsA Fun Fact About YOU!I was born in Lake Tahoe!Websitehttps://alexissrene.weebly.com/

Melissa Kunz

Previous Degree(s)B.S. in Earth Systems - Stanford UniversityNREM DegreeM.E.M. (Masterʻs of Environmental Management)Lab AdvisorKirsten OlesonResearch ProjectDrought effects and management in Hawaii, knowledge exchangeA Fun Fact About YOU!Judo, social dance, and NREM are places where I find a sense of community. Websitehttps://mkunz808.weebly.com


Chrislyn DeMattos

Previous Degree(s)B.A. in Environmental Studies - Lewis & Clark CollegeNREM DegreeM.E.M. (Masterʻs of Environmental Management)Lab AdvisorCarl EvensenResearch ProjectIdentifying invasive species in at Papahana Kuaola and creating an invasive species catalog!A Fun Fact About YOU!I got a new puppy during quarantine, her name is Arwen! I buy way too many puppy bandanas for her too.Websitehttps://demattoschrislyn.wordpress.com/

Chad Wilhite

Previous Degree(s)B.S. in Wildlife Management and Conservation, Minor in Statistics - Humboldt State UniversityNREM DegreeM.S. Plan ALab AdvisorMelissa PriceResearch ProjectPopulation Dynamics and Habitat Use of the Pueo (Asio flammeus sandwichensis) A Fun Fact About YOU!One of my favorite foods is roasted jalapeños. Websitehttps://chadwilhite.weebly.com/

Kristy Lam

Previous Degree(s)B.S. in Natural Resources & Environmental Management - UH MānoaNREM TrackM.S Plan ALab AdvisorJonathan DeenikResearch ProjectWailepo: exploring soil porous system changes & evaluating point pedotransfer functions to predict soil water retention for some Hawaiian soilsA Fun Fact About YOU!I coach high school track & field.Websitehttps://klam38.wixsite.com/kristylam23