From overcoming financial barriers to conducting undergraduate STEM research, student Masen Haoa Lapinad-Sorgent is preparing for his next chapter at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 with a clear goal in mind: becoming a physician.
The biological sciences student will transfer to 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补 this fall to pursue a bachelor’蝉 degree in biology after two years at Kapiʻolani CC. He was recently named a recipient of the 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补 Presidential Scholarship, one of the university’蝉 most competitive awards for Hawaiʻi residents.
The scholarship is typically awarded each year to undergraduate juniors, including students transferring from a 糖心Vlog官方 community college, and recognizes a record of sustained progress in academic courses and evidence of superior academic achievement or creative endeavor. It includes full-time undergraduate tuition, a $2,800 semester based stipend, and a one-time travel grant of $2,500.
Best pathway
Originally from Waimānalo and a graduate of Kailua High School, Lapinad-Sorgent said financial realities heavily influenced his educational decisions from the start.
“I always knew I wanted to start at community college and then transfer for my baccalaureate degree,” he said. “For me, it was about finding the best pathway that would prepare me academically while also being financially responsible.”
Although he was accepted to several out-of-state institutions, Lapinad-Sorgent said that taking on significant student loan debt early in his educational journey was not the right choice for him or his family.
“I didn’t want to take out loans so early in my education,” Lapinad-Sorgent said. “Coming from a family that taught me a lot about sacrifice, I knew I wanted to make decisions that would help me in the long run, especially with medical school ahead.”
He said the support he received through Kapiʻolani CC’蝉 helped make college financially possible and created a strong sense of community and belonging. The experience encouraged him to become more involved on campus, and in student congress.
National recognition
Alongside his leadership work, Lapinad-Sorgent pursued undergraduate research in the college’蝉 STEM programs. Working with math and science professor Amanda Alimboyoguen, he studied the medicinal properties of the Indigenous ʻuhaloa plant and its connections to Hawaiian healing practices and modern healthcare research.
His research later earned national recognition at the , where he received awards for Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation in Traditional Knowledge and the Native American/Indigenous Student Research Abstract Award in Traditional Knowledge.
As he prepares to continue his education at 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补, Lapinad-Sorgent said receiving the Presidential Scholarship represents more than academic achievement.
“It means a lot for my family too,” he said. “Being able to continue my education without that financial burden is something we’re all grateful for.”
By Lisa Yamamoto