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GWISH - Graduate Women in Science Hawaii
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Officers
    • Organization Documents
    • Newsletter
    • Support Us
  • Membership
  • Member Stories
    • 2020
    • 2021
    • 2022
    • Ally Spotlight
  • Events
    • Welcome Back Event
    • New Graduate Student Orientation Resource Fair
    • Book Club
    • Writing Hui
    • Event Pictures
  • Outreach
  • Research & Travel Grant
  • Donate
  • Contact

2022-2023 Elected Officers

Dani Escontrela, President

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Dani is a fourth 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)"

Kirby Parnell, Vice President

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Kirby is a fourth 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)." 

Audrey Nash, Secretary

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​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!

Laura Tipton, Treasurer

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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!

Katie Ackerman, Development Coordinator

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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. 

Manya Singh, Outreach Coordinator

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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.

Amy Kitchener, Social Media Coordinator

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​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. 

Past Officers, 2021-2022

Dani Escontrela, President
Kirby Parnell, Vice-President
Audrey Nash, Secretary
Laura Tipton, Treasurer
Katie Ackerman, Development Coordinator
Manya Singh, Outreach Coordinator
Amy Kitchener, Social Media Coordinator

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

Past Officers, 2019-2020

Maddy McKenna, President
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
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Let's be social
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​We're on slack! Interested in joining? Email us for the link!

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Contact Us

Graduate Women in Science Hawai‘i
2465 Campus Road, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822
​gwishawaii@gmail.com

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Officers
    • Organization Documents
    • Newsletter
    • Support Us
  • Membership
  • Member Stories
    • 2020
    • 2021
    • 2022
    • Ally Spotlight
  • Events
    • Welcome Back Event
    • New Graduate Student Orientation Resource Fair
    • Book Club
    • Writing Hui
    • Event Pictures
  • Outreach
  • Research & Travel Grant
  • Donate
  • Contact