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January 2024
Linnea Wolniewicz PhD Student Information and Computer Sciences Program This month’s member spotlight is Linnea Wolniewicz, GWISH’s Outreach Coordinator. She is a 2nd year PhD student in the Information and Computer Sciences Department (graduating with her Masters this Spring), and works with Dr. Peter Sadowski. Her research focuses on the intersection of machine learning and the physical sciences. “I study different ways of applying machine learning models to scientific data, specifically astrophysical data. I'm inspired by the ways we can use machine learning to expand our knowledge about space, and am currently applying Fourier Neural Operators (a form of machine learning model) to stellar lightcurve data to detect and classify supernovae.” Linnea had previously studied Astrophysics in undergraduate and taken several computer sciences courses but had never fully done machine learning. “I had a steep learning curve moving from Astrophysics to Computer Science in my first year, but now I really enjoy what I do and can understand how to create complex models in Python and train them on our computer cluster.” She spent her first two years applying machine learning to various scientific disciplines, including microbiology, astronomy, and oceanography. “I think the most useful progress I've made since starting graduate school is becoming a computer scientist and finding what sort of applications and research excites me!“ Outside of graduate school, Linnea is an avid climber. You can find her at HiClimb! Linnea is also a trained Harpist and studied music in college! “I’ve been playing the harp since I was 8 and have yet to find a way to bring my instrument to Hawai‘i” |
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February 2024
Audrey Nash PhD Student Atmospheric Sciences Program This month’s member spotlight is Audrey Nash, GWISH’s Vice President. She is a 2nd year PhD student in the Atmospheric Sciences Department. She received her Masters from UH in Spring of 2022, and works with Dr. Giuseppe Torri. Her research focuses on understanding how the large-scale atmospheric oscillation, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), impacts Hawaii. “I use different data types to analyze the different phases of the MJO and how they correlate with solar radiation, precipitation, wind, temperature, and relative humidity patterns along the Hawaiian archipelago. Subseasonal to seasonal forecasts are largely studied in the Atmospheric Science field, but little is known about MJO forecasts around Hawaii. My research is aimed at initiating the conversation around MJO teleconnections in Hawaii to improve short and medium-term forecasting.” Audrey previously graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park with a B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She has always been passionate about the weather since a young age. “I’ve never known anything different. Any time I had the opportunity to do a project growing up, it always pertained to weather and climate. I was even on the morning news in elementary school doing the weather forecast everyday!” Outside of graduate school, Audrey loves to train at F45, go hiking, hang at the beach, read Stephen King novels, and play with her cat, Monkey. |
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March 2024
Renee Setter PhD Student Geography and Environment Program This month’s member spotlight is Renee Setter, GWISH’s Secretary. She is a PhD candidate in the Geography and Environment Department, working with Dr. Camilo Mora. Her research focuses on the projected climate change effects of co-occurring anthropogenic stressors on global reefs, opposing directions of suitable climates, and implications for coral reefs. She is also involved in projects investigating the influence of climate on diseases, rainbows, whales, bogs, and managed retreat strategies. Renee has published her first chapter of her dissertation! Outside of graduate school, Renee enjoys running, surfing, diving and playing music. |
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April 2024
Corey Nevels Master's Student Marine Biology Program This month’s member spotlight is Corey Nevels. She is a 3rd year Master's student in the Marine Biology Graduate Program at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology working in the Pelagic/Shark Research Lab. Her thesis research focuses on describing the dynamics and residency patterns of reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) at two aggregation sites off the Kona coast of Hawai‘i Island. “This study utilizes community-sourced data and modeling techniques to analyze 13 years of sighting records, aiming to update and refine our understanding of manta ray population parameters in Kona needed for evidence-based management efforts. I also manage the sightings data of manta rays seen around O‘ahu, a project that is part of the Hawaii Association for Marine Education & Research (HAMER).” She has compiled over 23,000 Kona manta ray sightings and collectively documented 112 O‘ahu individuals as well as collected the first tissue samples for O‘ahu! Corey is an avid diver and underwater photographer. These two passions have inspired her to learn more about the ocean and be an advocate for it through science and storytelling. |
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