2021-2022 Elected Officers
Dani Escontrela, President
Dani is a third year Ph.D. student in the Marine Biology Graduate Program. She studies coral eating animals and their effect on coral reefs, focusing on the cushion star. She also is trying to develop rapid assessment tools that allow us to quantify coral predation on reefs.
Over the past year, she has had a blast keeping our social media accounts up to date which has allowed her to tap into her creative side. "Over the next year, I am super stoked to hopefully plan some in person events and continue to create opportunities and make resources available for our members."
"The most exciting fact about myself is that I am an avid cheese eater. But also, I recently reached a very exciting milestone - 1000 dives (which brings my cumulative dive time to 35 straight days)"
Over the past year, she has had a blast keeping our social media accounts up to date which has allowed her to tap into her creative side. "Over the next year, I am super stoked to hopefully plan some in person events and continue to create opportunities and make resources available for our members."
"The most exciting fact about myself is that I am an avid cheese eater. But also, I recently reached a very exciting milestone - 1000 dives (which brings my cumulative dive time to 35 straight days)"
Kirby Parnell, Vice President
Kirby is a third year Ph.D. student in the Marine Biology Grad Program. She studies underwater acoustic communication of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and how their behavior is impacted by anthropogenic noise.
She is most excited "to lead the book club for two reasons: 1) so that I'm forced to read fun things and not just scientific papers and 2) because I get to meet GWISH members in an informal, fun setting! I'm also looking forward to all of the events we have planned, especially Geeks Who Drink!"
Kirby is originally from Oklahoma and a member of the Cherokee Nation. "I'm a state champion basketball player, and I played college softball (I used to be real athletic, then I started grad school)."
She is most excited "to lead the book club for two reasons: 1) so that I'm forced to read fun things and not just scientific papers and 2) because I get to meet GWISH members in an informal, fun setting! I'm also looking forward to all of the events we have planned, especially Geeks Who Drink!"
Kirby is originally from Oklahoma and a member of the Cherokee Nation. "I'm a state champion basketball player, and I played college softball (I used to be real athletic, then I started grad school)."
Audrey Nash, Secretary
Audrey is studying Atmospheric Science in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences (SOEST), and currently works on research examining the factors influencing weakening rates of tropical cyclones in the eastern and central Pacific.
She is "excited to have the opportunity to just hang out and meet new people in similar fields; It can be difficult meeting people in such a small graduate department and even on O‘ahu."
Interestingly Audrey eats Pho at least once a week & is 6 ft tall!
She is "excited to have the opportunity to just hang out and meet new people in similar fields; It can be difficult meeting people in such a small graduate department and even on O‘ahu."
Interestingly Audrey eats Pho at least once a week & is 6 ft tall!
Laura Tipton, Treasurer
Laura is an assistant professor of Chaminade University of Honolulu department of data science
Her research "focuses on applying statistical and machine learning techniques to microbiome (all the bacteria, fungi, and other microbes present in an environment) data analysis. I have studies in microbial communities that range from aerobiota to fruitfly guts".
She is excited to return to in-person events, especially book club, and fundraisers like trivia night!
Her research "focuses on applying statistical and machine learning techniques to microbiome (all the bacteria, fungi, and other microbes present in an environment) data analysis. I have studies in microbial communities that range from aerobiota to fruitfly guts".
She is excited to return to in-person events, especially book club, and fundraisers like trivia night!
Katie Ackerman, Development Coordinator
Katie is a Ph.D. Student in Atmospheric Sciences. Her research utilizes arduino and
3-D printed technology to sample sea salt aerosols along the coastline. "Overall, I'm hoping to help better understand how these aerosols contribute to cloud production and rain initiation across the Hawaiian islands."
She is most excited to "create events that are wanted/needed by the GWISH community, and I'm really hoping to create lots of COVID-safe in-person activities for us!"
Something most people don't know about her is she has a black belt in Taekwon-Do and has enjoyed playing the viola for 13 years.
3-D printed technology to sample sea salt aerosols along the coastline. "Overall, I'm hoping to help better understand how these aerosols contribute to cloud production and rain initiation across the Hawaiian islands."
She is most excited to "create events that are wanted/needed by the GWISH community, and I'm really hoping to create lots of COVID-safe in-person activities for us!"
Something most people don't know about her is she has a black belt in Taekwon-Do and has enjoyed playing the viola for 13 years.
Manya Singh, Outreach Coordinator
Manya is obtaining her Ph.D. in the School of Life Sciences Botany Program. She studies plant-soil feedback in invasive grasses, to improve conservation and restoration outcomes.
"My first teaching experience was teaching kids earth science when I was in high school. I have loved teaching ever since, and I'm excited to teach kids to love science!"
In her spare time, she likes to oil paint. She has a very lazy rescue dog and volunteers with the Hawaiian Humane Society and the Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California.
"My first teaching experience was teaching kids earth science when I was in high school. I have loved teaching ever since, and I'm excited to teach kids to love science!"
In her spare time, she likes to oil paint. She has a very lazy rescue dog and volunteers with the Hawaiian Humane Society and the Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California.
Amy Kitchener, Social Media Coordinator
Amy studies Hazard Mitigation within Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
"My current research is to determine which factors will drive acceptance or rejection of the buyout scheme for properties offered to landowners affected by the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea? And will the 2021 Hawaii land buyout scheme result in a better, more resilient community in Lower Puna?"
She is most excited to share the exciting events and news stemming from GWISH this year and to get a better handle on social media and tapping into her creative side.
"A fun fact about me is that I have a webbed toe; however, it does not help me swim
faster. If anyone needs me, you can catch me in the mountains.
"My current research is to determine which factors will drive acceptance or rejection of the buyout scheme for properties offered to landowners affected by the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea? And will the 2021 Hawaii land buyout scheme result in a better, more resilient community in Lower Puna?"
She is most excited to share the exciting events and news stemming from GWISH this year and to get a better handle on social media and tapping into her creative side.
"A fun fact about me is that I have a webbed toe; however, it does not help me swim
faster. If anyone needs me, you can catch me in the mountains.
Past Officers, 2020-2021
Maddy McKenna, President
Marisa McDonald, Vice President
Andi Erickson, Secretary
Laura Tipton, Treasurer
Sefa Muñoz, Outreach Co-Coordinator
Jesse van der Grient, Outreach Co-Coordinator
Dani Escontrela, Social Media Coordinator
Marisa McDonald, Vice President
Andi Erickson, Secretary
Laura Tipton, Treasurer
Sefa Muñoz, Outreach Co-Coordinator
Jesse van der Grient, Outreach Co-Coordinator
Dani Escontrela, Social Media Coordinator
Past Officers, 2019-2020
Maddy McKenna, President
Marisa McDonald, Vice President
Andi Erickson, Secretary
Laura Tipton, Treasurer
Danita Dahl, Outreach Coordinator
Marisa McDonald, Vice President
Andi Erickson, Secretary
Laura Tipton, Treasurer
Danita Dahl, Outreach Coordinator
Past Officers, 2018-2019
Shelby Fillinger, President
Sabrina Diemert, Vice President
Maddy McKenna, Secretary
Laura Tipton, Treasurer
Danita Dahl, Outreach Coordinator
Rachael Wade, National Liaison to GWIS
Sabrina Diemert, Vice President
Maddy McKenna, Secretary
Laura Tipton, Treasurer
Danita Dahl, Outreach Coordinator
Rachael Wade, National Liaison to GWIS