Current members
Yinphan Tsang  | I am an ecological modeler with a great interest in linking hydrology with ecosystems using multidisciplinary approaches. I investigate surface and subsurface water processes and their implication in fluvial ecosystems. I use varied statistical and modeling techniques to combine disparate spatial and ecoinformatics datasets, validated with field measurements, to describe complex interaction patterns between biotic and abiotic processes contributing to ecosystem services. I build ecological predictive models to better address fluvial habitat degradation under anthropogenic and climate change. Knowing the interaction between ecosystems and their adjacent environments is not only a profound knowledge itself and is informative to policymakers and natural resources managers in order to conserve sustainable water resources and to preserve functional aquatic ecosystems. My ultimate goal is to advance our knowledge to achieve a balance between development and sustainable ecosystems. Ph.D. Biological Resources Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 2008 E-mail: tsangy (at) hawaii.eduPhone: 808-956-6361 |
| Cory Yap  | I am a “wannabe” ecological modeler with a great interest in linking hydrology with ecosystems using multidisciplinary approaches. 😉 My name is Cory Yap and I am an environmental researcher at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and outreach education coordinator at ʻIolani School. My time is split into being an aquatic biologist, doing environmental outreach with K-12 students, deploying/maintaining wireless sensor networks for environmental monitoring, and web design. In my spare time, I enjoy kayak/shore-fishing, canyoneering, hiking, free-diving, photography and gardening. M.S. Zoology (Ecology Evolution and Conservation Biology), University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, 2009 Email: coryy (at) hawaii.edu |
Yu-Fen Huang 黃郁芬  | Aloha, I’m a junior researcher in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Management at UH. a hydrologist and data scientist specializing in hydrological models to study flooding and water resource management in tropical watersheds under a changing climate. Her interdisciplinary work integrates hydrology, meteorology, and geostatistics to advance understanding of streamflow dynamics and ecosystem connectivity influenced by climate change and human activities. I’m also an amateur body surfer and hula dancer. Ph.D. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2023 M.S. Atmospheric Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2016 Personal website: https://yufenhuang.notion.site |
Yen-Wei Pan 潘彥維  | Aloha! I am a Ph.D. student in Natural Resources and Environmental Management at UH manoa. My research focuses on soil moisture’s role in the hydrological cycle, with the goal of improving drought prediction and ecosystem dynamics. I combine remote sensing and in-situ monitoring to optimize models and enhance water resource management in the face of climate change. I received my Bachelors and Masters in Geography from the National Taiwan Normal University. On top of my bucket list: visit the Antarctica. |
Leigh Engel  | My overall focus is to build off my experience as a Tribal fisheries biologist to develop biocultural solution-based management. My past experience includes leading oceanographic research cruises and multi-agency (Tribal, federal and state) monitoring and assessment programs for commercial or traditional use subsistence species. My interests are in fish/fisheries biology, behavioral and physiological ecology, conservation biology, and interdisciplinary community-based research. Currently, I’m investigating how impaired flow regimes will affect fish populations and fluvial ecosystems. My M.S. research will evaluate traits and swim performance of aquatic nonnative and native fish species to understand the impact of extreme high flow events on fish populations in Hawaii’s stream reaches. Email: engell (at) hawaii.edu |
Jaimie Hijii  | Aloha Mai Kākou! My name is Jaimie. I am a M.S. student in the Department of Natural Resource and Environmental Management. I worked with Paʻēpaʻē O Waikolu’s outreach program doing biodiversity surveys with k-12 students in Mānoa, Pālolo, and Makiki stream educating students about our watersheds and getting them involved with restoration efforts in removing invasive species. This sparked my interest for my work now as I am looking into how moving to tropical environments changed the life history of Smallmouth Bass. In my free time I enjoy shorebreak photography. B.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Management 2023 |
Lilia Davis  | Aloha, I am a first year MEM student concentrating in land and water resources. I am also in the Kūʻokoʻa ʻĀina based leadership graduate certificate program. I received my Bachelors in Environmental Science from the University of Denver. Iʻm interested in supporting community resiliency to flooding in Maui. In my free time, I enjoy surfing, hiking, reading, and growing native plants. |
Bunneam Chhimcanal  | Hi everyone, I am a graduate student in the Natural Resources and Environmental Management department at UHM. I am interested in implementing a project related to WASH management under climate change in SEA and the US. I was a program officer at an NGO in Cambodia for 1 year before I came to Hawaii in 2023. I worked on the WASH project with some communities. I was a Civil engineering student at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia. However, I am interested in water issues between Hawaii and Cambodia. As a fun fact, I like swimming. |
Damien Wallace | Hello! My name is Damien Wallace and I’m currently a student at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and am working towards my Bachelors in TPSS. I also work with the Tsang stream lab, mainly with the Pa’ēpa’ē O Waikolu program. I mainly spend my time on school, work and spending time with friends and family. |
Ann Tokoyoda  | Aloha, My name is Ann. I am a first-year undergraduate student majoring in Marine Biology with a strong interest in ecology, sustainability, and molecular biology. My past work focused on eDNA sequencing to supplement Paʻēpaʻē O Waikolu’s outreach program surveys, and DNA metabarcoding smallmouth bass stomachs to determine that smallmouth bass are preying on endemic species in Mānoa stream. In my free time I love to sail, go to the beach, and review different matcha spots. Email: annt28 (at) hawaii.edu |
Rebecca Purviance  | Aloha! My name is Rebecca Purviance, and I am studying natural resources and environmental management. I am interested in sustainability and learning about native species here in Hawaiʻi. Right now I am working with Paʻēpaʻē O Waikolu. We work with students in the Mānoa, Makiki, and Pālolo streams to get them involved in stream health. In my little spare time I enjoy hanging out with friends, biking, and going to the beach! |
Collaborators
Hannah Clilverd | I am a postdoc in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management at UH. My research here focuses on the impacts of changing climate on Hawaii’s aquatic ecosystems. My background is in wetland hydrology, biogeochemistry and ecology. My research interests focus on advancing the understanding of hydrological processes (e.g. surface water-groundwater interactions) in wetland environments, and their consequences on ecological functioning, including: the influence of differing hydrological regimes on wetland species, nutrient cycling in stream sediments and riparian zones, and the assessment of anthropogenic pressures (e.g. river engineering, climate change) on wetland health. During my post-graduate studies and work as a research scientist I have been involved in a number of diverse multidisciplinary water research projects, ranging in scope from large arctic glacial rivers to small temperate streams. My master’s research addressed the importance of river hydrology and flooding for regulating floodplain biogeochemistry. My Ph.D. assessed the significance of enhancing surface-subsurface interactions, i.e. hydrological connectivity via river restoration (embankment removal), on floodplain functioning. I am interested in the use of physically-based hydraulic and hydrological models to simulate wetland processes and anthropogenic disturbances on floodplain ecosystem services (e.g. flood water storage, biodiversity, and water quality), which can provide a quantitative framework to guide the protection and management of water environments. Ph.D. Geography, University college London (UCL), UK, 2016 E-mail: clilverd(at)hawaii.edu |
Ayron M. Strauch | I am a research scientist in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management at the University of Hawai‘i Manoa, where I am currently studying climate change impacts on the hydrological and ecological functioning of tropical watersheds. My research interests are focused on how spatial patterns in water resources interact with the biological, geological, and social environment. Recent projects have included modeling and monitoring stream flow, soil erosion, and carbon exports, studying land-use impacts on water quality, and identifying how climate change will impact spatial patterns in the functioning of freshwater ecosystems among the Hawaiian islands.
Past research interests have examined water resources and water use impacts on freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems in East Africa, the consequences of fire management on invasive vegetation, and marine ecosystem responses to sea-surface temperature hot-spots. My Publications: https://tsangstreamlab.org/ayron-m-strauch/ |
Alumni
Cherryle Heu | Aloha, my name is Cherryle. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Global Environmental Science in SOEST and am now pursuing a Master’s degree in the Natural Resources and Environmental Management program. My interests are in GIS, programming, and web development and I am always eager to use my skills and apply them to the environmental world. I also have worked with climate education/outreach and am involved in the education efforts at the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC). M.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2024 |
Alyssandra Victoria Amador Rousseve | Aloha, I go by Lyss and am currently a graduate student working towards a MEM degree while working in the Tsang Stream Lab at UHM. The project I am working on is titled: Biodiversity Monitoring of Freshwater and Estuarine Communities in Halawa Stream. My background includes a B.S. in marine biology, research in aquaculture, and program management as a naval officer. I am interested in learning about and advocating for āina-based, sustainable practices to support our local communities. I am also interested in studying damage control efforts due to pollution and contamination on Oahu. MEM. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2024 |
Mya Sears | Hello! My name is Mya Sears, and I am a master’s student in the atmospheric sciences at UHM. My current research interests include: extreme rainfall and flooding on Kaua’i, atmospheric disturbances around Hawai’i, and communicating scientific information. For my research, I’m working with the NSF Civic project in Halele’a, Kaua’i to increase flood resilience using interdisciplinary methodology and community/land connections. I have a particular fascination with extreme weather and have previously studied supercells, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Outside of school, I love working in the ceramics studio and rock climbing. M.S. Atmospheric Sciences, 2023 B.S. Meteorology, University of Oklahoma, 2021 |
Isaiah Wagenman | My name is Isaiah Wagenman and I call Wahiawa home. I am pursuing a Master of Environmental Management degree while working in Tsang Lab. I originally worked within air quality for the Department of Health, but have switched over to streams. My research interests are studying the relationship between upper watershed management efforts, and their affect on downstream water quality. MEM. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2023 |
Taylor Maruno  | Aloha, I’m an MEM graduate student in the Natural Resources and Environmental Management program at UH. My interests are in biodiversity and ecology, especially regarding Hawai‘i’s streams/watersheds. Most of my time though, is spent at Bishop Museum where I work with Hawaiian land snails (fun fact: Hawai‘i has over 700 native snail species!). MEM. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2022 B.A. Biology, Minors Environmental Studies and Writing, Pacific Lutheran University, 2019 |
Rachel Kapule | Aloha no kakou, My name is Rachel Kapule and I am the Program Coordinator for Hookuaaina, a non-profit on the windward side of Oahu. Our mission is to rebuild community and empower youth through the traditional practice of cultivating kalo (taro). I began the MEM program at UH Manoa in August, 2020, with the goal of doing research that supplements what we do at Hookuaaina. My capstone focuses on assessing the impact that Hookuaaina has through its distribution of kalo and poi sales, individuals’ physical and mental health, cultural restoration, and connection to people and place. When I’m not at work or at school, you’ll always find me out surfing any chance I get! MEM. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2022 B.A. Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2019 Website: rachelkapule.weebly.com |
Maxime Gayte  | Aloha, my name is Maxime Gayte, and I am from the French Alps. I am a Master’s Plan A student in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I am currently interested in climate change impacts on the hydrological cycle, and more particularly, on extreme rainfall events. I am also curious about the effects of an altered water cycle on amphidromous species in tropical ecosystems. During my free time, I love going surfing or hiking. I was also a professional tennis player for three years and played mostly events in Europe. M.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2022 B.S. Environnemental Science, Hawaii Pacific University, 2019 3 years degree in Applied Physics, Université de Savoie, Annecy-le-Vieux, 2015 |
Cody Ching  | Hello, I’m a Master’s Plan A student in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I am currently interested in Hawaii’s freshwater native gobies, also known as `o`opu. I would love to learn more about their interactions with non-native species and how they use microhabitats. I feel like this information can help create better management plans involving stream restoration. Besides my fascination with our native freshwater fish, I enjoy growing my own herbs to use in cooking, going to the beach to watch the sunset, and trying out new food places! (I’m a major foodie) M.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2022 B.S. Animal Sciences, Minor Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2020 Academic Website: codylching.weebly.com Twitter: @lilconservation |
Mariah Baker  | I am an Undergraduate at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management. I concentrated on & care deeply about wildlife management and conservation while obtaining my B.S. in Natural Science. I am an Army veteran of the Operation Enduring Freedom era. I have experience in conducting bioassessments in estuaries, and bat surveys in forests and agricultural land. I enjoy all things “outdoors” from fishing and paddle boarding to hiking and off-roading. B.S. Natural Resources & Environmental Management, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, 2021. |
Ella Wilmot  | Aloha, I am completing a Master of Environmental Management in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management at UH. I am concentrating on Land and Water Management, specifically here on the island of Oahu. I currently volunteer with the Sierra Club and helping with the Ala Wai Canal Project. M.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2021 B.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2018 |
Derek Esibill  | Derek Esibill ran operations of oceanographic research vessels for 10 years, before teaching science for the Hawaiʻi department of education where his students were engaged in research projects investigating correlations between age, bacterial infection, and age on coral tumors; and water quality in the Hamakua and Kawainui marsh systems. He is now the director of the Pacific American Foundation’s research and education program, Watershed Investigations, Research Education, and Design (WIRED). A program that engages 6th-12th grade students in current, ongoing, leading edge research investigating the impacts of land management practices on watersheds and the associated coral reefs. Derek is also PAF’s technology coordinator, network administrator, STEM coordinator, and NALU Studies science and engineering teacher. He has a love for all things ocean. Currently he is a Masters Plan C student at the University of Hawaiʻi in Natural Resources Environmental Management Hydrology Lab, directed by Yin-Phan Tsang. M.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2021 |
Aurelia Gonzalez  | I am a practitioner of aquatic ecology with experience in aquatic bioassessment, wetland conservation and restoration, fishing surveys and regulations as well as Environmental DNA and community ecology and composition. My current M.S. thesis is titled: Nearshore and Estuarine Biodiversity of Pearl Harbor, Comparing Traditional Sampling to Environmental DNA (eDNA). My new interests are advocating for advances in green infrastructure (GI), stormwater management and supporting Ahupua’a management systems in Hawaii. M.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2021 |
Aimee Taniguchi 
| MEM. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2020 B.S. Environmental Studies Policy, Linfield College 2015 |
| Melissa Ryerson | MEM. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2019 M.S. Hydrology, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, 2009 B.S. Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, 2008 |
| Eric Welch | M.S. Geology & Geophysics, focus Hydrology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa 2019 B.S. Global Environmental Science, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, 2018 Minor: Geology & Geophysics |
| Brendan Martin | M.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2018 B.S. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, 2015 |
Kelly Lariosa  | M.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2018 B.S. Global Environmental Science, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2013 |
Tsang Stream Lab 