The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has completed its inaugural Spring 2026 Professional Mentorship Program, connecting students with industry professionals in an effort to strengthen student success and career readiness.

The 14-week pilot program paired 20 engineering students with 20 mentors in individualized, one-on-one matches. Selected from more than 50 applicants, cohort students ranged from first-year undergraduates to graduate students.

Mentors brought diverse experience from across the engineering field, including leadership roles in renewable energy, aerospace and advanced technology. Participants included professionals affiliated with organizations such as NASA Ames Research Center, Lockheed Martin Space and Hawaiian Electric, as well as alumni who returned to support the next generation of engineers.

Student, alumni, professional, mentor

One of those professionals was Wendy McLain, a senior civil engineer and deputy manager at SSFM International, Inc. McLain mentored major Ashton Quichocho. She highlighted Quichocho’s willingness to step outside her comfort zone, explore different career paths and develop both technical and leadership skills along the way.

“It was really rewarding getting to give back,” McLain said. “There’s this sense of responsibility and kuleana to be able to do the same for others that have done for us, and especially now in our field and industry. We need more talent, so it’s really exciting to see all of the exciting new talent that’s up and coming.”

Quichocho, a graduating senior, called it a “full-circle moment” because she will soon be working full-time with McLain at SSFM International, Inc.

“I learned a lot about myself and the direction I want to go post-grad,” Quichocho said. “In the beginning, I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do or what I was going to apply for, and I’m glad that this program was able to give me Wendy because she had so much career advice for me, but also life advice for me, too.”

Throughout the semester, mentors and mentees met at least twice monthly, engaging in conversations focused on academic planning, internships, career pathways and professional development. Many pairs expanded those interactions through workplace visits, job shadowing and collaborative activities that offered students direct exposure to real-world engineering environments.

Created by students for students

Members of the helped to run the pilot program.

“As students ourselves, we wanted to create something that reflected what we believed would be most beneficial, which led us to build a mentorship program,” said Dayza Otsuka-Cabodol, an ESA who was part of the planning committee. “Working closely with our committee and continuously adjusting based on feedback, we watched the vision come together week by week.”

Organizers plan to expand the program in fall 2026, building on lessons from the pilot to reach more students and mentors. The next cohort aims to further strengthen connections between the college and industry while continuing to support student success across all stages of the engineering pathway. Apply online as or for the fall 2026 program.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa hosted its 26th annual banquet, bringing together approximately 1,000 students, faculty, alumni, industry leaders and supporters to celebrate the innovation and impact the college has on the state of Hawaiʻi.

Held on April 17 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the event began with a student project expo, where dozens of teams presented hands-on work across aerospace, robotics, sustainability and artificial intelligence. Projects included bioinspired soft robotics systems, student-built satellites, autonomous drones and renewable energy solutions aligned with campus sustainability goals, offering attendees a firsthand look at applied learning with real-world relevance.

Following welcome remarks by Dean Brennon Morioka, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ President Wendy Hensel and Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green, as well as dinner service, the formal program featured an awards ceremony recognizing contributions to the engineering community. Dayna Nemoto-Shima (Pacific Geotechnical Engineers, Inc.) and Brandon Shima (ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½) received the Outstanding Service Award, Greg Hiyakumoto (R.M. Towill Corporation) was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award, and Bharath Kadaba (Lu Labs) earned the Dean’s Award of Excellence.

Connecting talent with opportunity

“The future of engineering in Hawaiʻi depends on how well we connect talent with opportunity, and those relationships happen because of the people who attended our annual banquet,” College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka said. “Our industry partners and donors are the heart and soul of our local economy and help create pathways for students to lead, to solve and to stay and make a difference right here at home.”

The formal program also highlighted the featured student project, the unexploded ordnance (UXO) project. The multidisciplinary effort applies advanced sensing technologies and robotics to safely detect unexploded ordnance in Hawaiʻi, addressing long-standing environmental and public safety challenges.

“I got the opportunity to go to the 21 years of peace celebration at Mākua Valley and it really was an amazing opportunity to actually get to talk to the community and we got to talk to students too,” said UXO student project leader Kamalani Goo. “It was really instilled in me that we need to be having these conversations and building these relationships because no one truly understands the issues as well as the community that is experiencing them.”

The event concluded with a live auction and more networking, celebrating the shared commitment to advancing engineering in Hawaiʻi. The college extended its mahalo to donors and Hawaiʻi’s engineering industry for their continued support, including mentorship, internships and career development opportunities that help shape student success. All net proceeds from the annual banquet goes directly to supporting the many student projects showcased at the event.

Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation’s top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa’s (JABSOM) also placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ±á¾±±ô´Ç’s ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa’s strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and Hawaiʻi can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ News stories on previous years’ rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ law school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation’s best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master’s and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in Hawaiʻi to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation’s top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation’s top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation’s best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation’s best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation’s best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is expanding its environmental monitoring and research capabilities thanks to a $30,000 donation from the Hawaiʻi Water Environment Association (HWEA).

The HWEA gift will help upgrade the college’s environmental engineering lab through the acquisition of advanced instruments—most notably a state-of-the-art gas chromatograph system that acts like a high-tech “nose” that can sniff out and measure different gases in the air—expanding ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½â€™s ability to analyze environmental samples with higher precision. The measurement of greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, as well as compounds tied to odor and corrosion concerns, are key issues for wastewater facilities, community health and regulatory compliance.

“This gift is a vital investment in the research and education capacity of our Environmental Biotechnology Research Group at the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹,” said Zhiyue Wang, assistant professor in the and the . “By supporting everything from the acquisition of advanced analytical equipment and software to student travel and professional seminars, these resources allow us to maintain the high-level technology and scholarly records necessary to solve Hawaiʻi’s most pressing environmental challenges.”

The upgraded instruments will also provide new learning opportunities for students through lab instruction, capstone projects and research experiences involving advanced analytical techniques used across commercial and municipal laboratories. It also opens the door for deeper collaboration and knowledge exchange between ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ and water environment professionals statewide, including potential lab tours, seminars and shared learning opportunities.

The lab’s enhanced capabilities align with HWEA’s mission to protect and enhance Hawaiʻi’s water environment by supporting research at the intersection of air and water quality and by helping train the future workforce in modern analytical methods.

A new $4.6–million multi-institute collaborative project to help grow coral restoration capacity in American Samoa will begin in early 2026, leveraging more than two decades of coral heat tolerance studies to inform a restoration with resilience approach.

The project will bring together partners from American Samoa Community College, , American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa and Old Dominion University with local agencies and village leaders to focus on restoring healthy coral reefs and training the next generation of natural resource managers.

American Samoa has some of the healthiest coral reefs within inhabited U.S. waters that are exceptionally heat tolerant, as well as the world’s oldest continuously monitored coral reef transect, making it an excellent coral reef study site. American Samoa also has the highest rate of relative sea-level rise recorded within the NOAA global tide gauge network. Since the fringing reef crests (the shallow part of the reef where the waves break) remove up to 97% of wave energy before reaching the shore, maintaining healthy reefs is key to protecting the land. Coral restoration, where corals are grown and outplanted onto the reef, is one method of helping reefs recover from impacts such as storms and ship groundings.

Understanding heat tolerant corals

Researchers have made progress in understanding the environmental and genetic drivers of heat tolerant corals.

“Heat tolerance is key for coral survival due to the increase in marine heatwaves causing mass coral bleaching and coral die-offs,” said Kelley Anderson Tagarino, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Sea Grant College Program extension agent in American Samoa and co-lead on the project. “By ensuring some of the corals in our restoration nurseries are heat tolerant, we can help our reefs have a better chance to withstand marine heatwaves. American Samoa has long been known to have highly resilient corals, and now we will be able to weave together local knowledge with Western science to help our reefs continue to protect our islands and feed our people.”

Funding student positions

The project includes funding for three graduate student positions for residents of American Samoa to study coral restoration at either ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa or Old Dominion University, and will provide support for local positions focused on coral restoration in partnership with the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources.

Oceana Francis, professor in the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa and coastal sustainability faculty with the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Sea Grant College Program, will provide critical project support by conducting hydrodynamic modeling (understanding how our ocean water moves) to help identify suitable places for the restoration nurseries as well as which shorelines are at most risk to flooding. These areas will be prioritized for coral restoration outplanting.

The project was funded by the NOAA Coastal Zone Management program.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is continuing a long-standing partnership with the General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) to strengthen construction engineering education. Through funding from the GCA Education Foundation, the college supports a dedicated faculty position that brings construction industry professionals into the classroom.

“This partnership not only enriches our students’ learning with practical, real-world experience but also strengthens connections with employers, helping launch their careers and support Hawaiʻi’s construction engineering industry,” College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka said.

Joshua Ka Tung Au was recently appointed to the GCA-funded position in the . He replaces longtime instructor Randy Akiona, who taught construction engineering courses at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa for more than two decades as part of the same industry-supported effort.

Au brings more than 20 years of experience in construction engineering, project management and education. A ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa alumnus, he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and later completed a master’s degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in construction engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. His professional experience includes work on major projects in Hawaiʻi and internationally, most recently as a project engineer with Allied Builders System.

“I am honored to join the University of Hawaiʻi and contribute to shaping future construction leaders,” Au said. “This position allows me to bridge my industry experience with academic teaching, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges with confidence and innovation.”

GCA has supported the College of Engineering since the 1970s, funding instructors from the industry to align academic programs with workforce needs and support student projects and experiential learning.

“Hawaiʻi’s construction industry needs professionals who understand both engineering fundamentals and the realities of working in the field,” GCA Executive Director Cheryl Walthall said. “With Joshua joining the faculty, GCA is investing in a stronger, more prepared local workforce for the long term.”

Read more about Au on the .

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers are part of a team that was recently awarded a (NSF) to address the environmental and public health impacts of outdated wastewater infrastructure in island communities. The project is led by the University of South Florida, with ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa playing a key role in research and pilot testing.

Focus on Hawaiʻi’s water health

In Hawaiʻi alone, an estimated 83,000 cesspools discharge approximately 52 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the ground each day, contaminating coastal waters and damaging coral reefs. Replacing cesspools with approved wastewater systems could cost households $30,000 to $50,000.

The Honu Hub project seeks to ease that burden by developing a solar-powered, compact and certifiable alternative that protects both human health and the environment. These systems are energy-independent and equipped with remote monitoring and automation, making them suitable for cesspool replacement in low-density and isolated areas. The “Honu Hub” represents a new class of small, adaptive and decentralized wastewater infrastructure.

By centering the work in Hawaiʻi, the research team ensures the technology is designed to overcome local challenges, including poor soils, high water tables and saltwater intrusion. The goal is to create a solution that can be adopted throughout the U.S. Pacific region and the continental U.S.

ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa researchers are leading the design and real-world pilot demonstration of nutrient capture systems within the Honu Hub. Pilot testing is taking place at the Wahiawā Wastewater Treatment Plant, in collaboration with the City and County of Honolulu.

The award supports the Honu project within NSF’s Convergence Accelerator program, which aims to develop adaptive, decentralized wastewater infrastructure solutions for island and rural communities facing severe sanitation challenges.

Zhiyue Wang, the project’s co-principal investigator and assistant professor at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s and in the , will assist with the pilot testing of Honu Hub in Hawaiʻi and developing novel technologies for nutrient recovery in the system.

“Collaborating with the University of South Florida, our goal is to empower communities with solutions that protect public health, preserve our nearshore ecosystems and ensure clean water for future generations,” Wang said.

Tao Yan, director of the Water Resources Research Center, is also part of the Honu research team. Wang is working alongside principal investigator Daniel Yeh (University of South Florida), co-principal investigator Stuart Coleman (Wastewater Alternatives and Innovations) and co-principal investigator Allan Smith (Swiftwater Solutions).

Video on the wastewater infrastructure project and Honu Team members.

The earned high marks in nearly 20 academic subjects in the , with , and leading the way among the highest-ranked programs.

Oceanography ranked No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 7 in the world, atmospheric science placed No. 8 nationally and No. 11 worldwide, and hospitality and tourism management ranked No. 12 in the U.S. and No. 32 in the world.

The rankings were released by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy and is considered one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of university performance by discipline.

ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa also posted strong global and national placements across science, engineering, social science and other fields. tied for No. 17 in the U.S. and ranked No. 51–75 worldwide, while ecology and each tied for No. 24 nationally and placed No. 76–100 globally.

Additional ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa subjects recognized in the 2025 rankings include communication, education, political science, water resources, biological sciences, civil engineering, food science and technology, environmental science and engineering, agricultural sciences, economics, management and physics.

“These rankings reflect the depth and consistency of excellence at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa,” Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “Our faculty are advancing research that matters locally and globally, while preparing students to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world.”

ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa was evaluated alongside approximately 2,000 universities from more than 100 countries and regions, selected from a global pool of more than 25,000 institutions. The rankings are based on measures such as world-class faculty, world-class research output, high-quality research, research impact and international collaboration.

Other recent rankings:

• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

—By Marc Arakaki

Small home building contractors (those with 20 or fewer employees) face significantly higher injury and fatality rates than larger firms as they operate under constraints that can potentially influence their ability to implement safety measures effectively.

To explore best safety practices for small construction businesses, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has been awarded a grant by the Job-Site Safety Institute (JSI), a nonprofit research and educational organization.

“Most U.S. studies of safety in small construction businesses have relied on surveys, which provide breadth but not always depth,” said Vineeth Dharmapalan, principal investigator and assistant professor in the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa . “Our work embeds researchers directly within real job sites to conduct direct observations and interviews and utilize stressor checklists. Our aim is to capture the daily pressures behind safety decisions. Triangulating these perspectives will allow us to create best practices that are both solidly evidence-based and grounded in the lived experiences of small contractors.”

The grant will enable researchers to investigate the practices of small construction firms via ethnographic case studies. The study will document work operations, workplace culture, decision-making influences, and stressors that influence safety outcomes within residential construction projects, including new home construction and renovations.

“This grant is exciting for JSI because this research brings us to the front line of construction sites, where safety isn’t just a manual or checklist but a real-world experience,” said Rob Matuga, JSI executive director. “The project will allow researchers to be immersed in the daily realities of the jobsite, where they can listen to the voices on the ground and observe the hidden risks, habits, unspoken rules and human factors that truly shape safety on site.”

Based on insights garnered from the study, the grant will allow for the development of practical safety guidance for small construction businesses to improve safety in their workplaces, which includes best practices, safety training programs and behavioral interventions tailored for small businesses. ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa is partnering with Oregon State University on this project.

Twenty students from the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ and ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ West Oʻahu participated in the 2025 , gaining hands-on experience in public service with the City and County of Honolulu. The paid internship ran from January through May/June, placing college students in city departments to apply their academic skills to real-world projects.

Mira Olivas, a senior major at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, helped make Honolulu’s roadways safer through work with the Transportation Engineering Division in the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services. Olivas helped address public concerns related to speeding, parking and pedestrian safety by drafting updated signage and striping plans. Her projects included enhancing crosswalk visibility and replacing missing signs on streets such as University Avenue, Seaview Avenue and Keahole Street.

“This experience was valuable because it gave me a chance to get my feet in the real world. I was able to see how engineering is applied outside of the classroom and gain insight on the duties and responsibilities of traffic engineers,” Olivas said. “This internship will give you exposure to a wide range of work and connect you with all experienced mentors and departments. It’s okay to not know everything, but be willing to learn and ask questions.”

Briana Lee recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in in ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s and will be pursuing her master’s degree this fall. One of the key projects she worked on was creating a Data Analysis Incident Trend Dashboard designed for public use at the Honolulu Fire Department’s Planning and Development Division. This visualizes patterns, making it easier for the public and the department to understand trends over time.

“This internship has provided me with real-world experience in data visualization, analytics and cross-departmental collaboration,” Lee said. “The Poʻokela Program is pretty competitive, and the coordinators do their best to match you with the different departments around the island. My advice would be to have an open mind and a willingness to learn.”

The program focuses on leadership development, mentorship and civic engagement. Applications for the 2026 session will open in September 2025, with the deadline set for October. Participants must be upper-division undergraduates or graduate students in good standing.

2025 interns with ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ties

• Phat Ca, information and computer science, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Cameron Cooper, mechanical engineering, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Haley Cummings, business administration–marketing, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ West Oʻahu
• Julia DePinto, human resource management, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Cassandra Dumaslan, public administration: justice administration, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ West Oʻahu
• Andrew Gresham, civil engineering, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Jazmin Horio, management information systems and international business, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Tyler Kahmann, management information systems, finance and international business, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Yuto Kudo, finance and marketing, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Ivan Lee, accounting, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Briana Lee, information and computer science, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Liberty Lum, accounting, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Clyds Bautista Manzano, public health–government and public policy, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Sara McGhee, biochemistry, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Nanami Mehring, molecular biosciences and biotechnology, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Mira Olivas, civil engineering, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Allen Palma, civil engineering, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Matisse Sremac, sustainability and climate change, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• William Tam, finance, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹
• Lauryn Takanishi, business management and marketing, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹

A new textbook authored by University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Professor Amarjit Singh aims to advance the global construction industry by emphasizing quality management and control.

Construction Quality Management and Control, published by Pearson (India), is now available for purchase on . The book is intended for both industry professionals and university students studying construction quality control.

Singh’s latest work addresses the importance of quality in ensuring the safety, longevity and functionality of built infrastructure—from homes and highways to major construction projects. Poor construction can lead to accidents, costly repairs and regulatory violations, while high-quality work enhances safety, sustainability and long-term performance.

The textbook covers topics including quality planning, assurance and control processes, as well as modern tools such as data-driven decision-making. It provides guidance on conducting inspections and managing risk related to field operations.

“Quality construction is essential—not just for compliance, but for protecting lives, avoiding legal consequences and creating a built environment we can be proud of,” Singh said. “This book empowers professionals and students to approach construction with a mindset of excellence.”

Seven graduate programs at the are in the nation’s top 50 and an additional 14 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2025 , released on April 8. The (JABSOM) also placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care.

The highest ranked programs were in the , ranking No. 16 for best part-time law programs, No. 36 for best environmental law programs and No. 45 for best international law programs. The Library and Information Science Program in the ranked No. 36. JABSOM ranked No. 41 for most graduates practicing in primary care and No. 47 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, and the ranked No. 43 for best nursing schools, doctor of nursing practice.

Rankings were based on different criteria, including research activity (publications and citations), placement success (employment and earnings), quality assessment (peer and recruiter assessments), student selectivity (GPA and test scores) and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student to faculty ratio).

“These latest rankings from U.S. News and World Report reflect ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s unwavering dedication to academic excellence and impactful research,” said ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Provost Michael Bruno. “They speak to the strength of our graduate programs and the hard work of our faculty, students and staff. Hawaiʻi residents can take pride in knowing that their flagship university continues to shape the next generation of leaders, educators and innovators for our state and beyond.”

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ News stories on previous years’ rankings: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  College of Engineering  |  Shidler College of Business  |  College of Social Sciences  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters  |  College of Natural Sciences

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 15 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 16 for best part-time law programs, No. 36 for best environmental law programs and No. 45 for best international law programs, the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ law school placed No. 99 out of nearly 200 of the best law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Legal writing: No. 51
• Dispute resolution: No. 72
• Criminal law: No. 82
• Tax law: No. 95
• Constitutional law: No. 98
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 98
• Business/corporate law: No. 108
• Intellectual property law: No. 123
• Clinical training: No. 125
• Health care law: No. 128
• Trial advocacy: No. 178

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation’s top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 2 for best medical schools for research.

In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 41 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 47 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 166 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. JABSOM also placed No. 155 for speech language pathology. .

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene’s doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program was ranked No. 43 among 158 of the top schools in U.S. News and World Report’s best nursing schools ranking. ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s nursing school is the only Hawaiʻi DNP program ranked by U.S. News and World Report since 2018.

College of Education

The ranked No. 65 of 258 schools ranked, the 20th straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation’s top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

College of Engineering

Four graduate programs were ranked among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News. placed No. 90; ranked No. 91; and placed No. 124. The College of Engineering ranked No. 163 among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

Shidler College of Business

The rose 29 spots to No. 137 out of 241 ranked schools for its part-time master of business administration (MBA) program. Shidler’s MBA programs are the only MBA programs in Hawaiʻi accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and among the few MBA programs in the U.S. with a true Asia-Pacific focus.

College of Social Sciences

In addition to the Library and Information Science Program ranking No. 36, the College of Social Sciences had the following programs placed in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings: at No. 78, at No. 82, at No. 104, at No. 107, at No. 113 and at No. 124.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 99 out of 219 public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to a recently launched online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

In the , the placed No. 97 and the ranked No. 104.

College of Natural Sciences

In the , the ranked No. 110.

Other rankings

ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 12, 2025
• ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ earns highest national research designation, February 20, 2025
• 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 23, 2025

Scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi have developed new wildfire risk maps to better predict fire danger across the state. Unlike the current Red Flag Warning system, which relies on weather from a limited number of stations, these maps provide a daily, high-resolution look at the most current fire ignition risks statewide.

“This new mapping system gives us a clearer, more detailed picture of wildfire risks across Hawaiʻi. By providing daily updates and a long-term dataset, we hope to improve preparedness and help protect communities from future fires,” said Professor Sayed Bateni of ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s (WRRC) and .

Publicly available on the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal (HCDP), the maps are easy to access and available to communities and emergency responders to alert them to the risk of potential wildfires. Users are able to zoom in to a particular area to assess the current fire risk, and generate customized packages of data to export from the portal. Historical fire risk maps are also available for the past 20 years.

The maps are generated using real-time data obtained from various weather networks across the state including the . The Hawaiʻi Mesonet currently consists of over 60 advanced weather stations with a total goal of 100 within the next two years. These stations provide valuable weather and climate monitoring and forecasting. The data collected can also be used for water resource management, agriculture, ranching, ecosystem and cultural resource protection and more.

“It’s all about improving preparedness, especially in light of recent disasters like the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and the tragic Lahaina fire,” said Tom Giambelluca, retired ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ professor of Geography and Environment, former director of the WRRC, and leader of the Hawaiʻi Mesonet. “With real-time data on factors like soil moisture, we can better identify areas at high risk for wildfires or flooding.”

Utilizing a well distributed network of weather stations is crucial in Hawaiʻi, where diverse landscapes create extreme climate variability. In West Maui, annual rainfall can differ by more than 140 inches within a mile, highlighting the need for precise, localized data.

“The Hawaiʻi Mesonet is adding high quality weather observations in places where they are most needed,” Giambelluca said.

“This mapping system is a game-changer for wildfire preparedness in Hawaiʻi,” said Clay Trauernicht, assistant specialist in the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ . “Using current data allows us to better anticipate fire risks and take proactive measures to protect communities.”

The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Hawaiʻi State Legislature provided funding to create the fire ignition probability maps.

Bateni, Giambelluca, Trauernicht and Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center University Consortium Director Ryan Longman will host a presentation in person and online on April 1 at noon to explain how the maps were created, how they predict fire risk and how to access and use the data.

• Note: To view the most current maps, visit the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal website, click on “visualize data,” then “ignition probability” to select the dataset you would like to view and then click submit at the bottom.

Associate Professor Roger Chen in the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ has received a award to study transportation systems engineering in Japan for the 2025–26 academic year.

Chen will research how online shopping (e-commerce) changes the way goods are transported and delivered in cities. He will work with Professor Takanori Sakai, head of the Urban Freight Research Lab (URFL) at the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, to analyze data and use technology to make urban delivery systems more efficient.

“As online shopping grows, we need smarter, more efficient ways to deliver goods in busy cities like Tokyo and Honolulu,” Chen said. “This research will help improve urban freight systems, reducing traffic, cutting costs and making deliveries more reliable for businesses and residents alike.”

With the support of URFL, Chen will use location-based data on freight and goods in Tokyo to analyze truck schedules and route choices. The collaboration will develop pathways towards leveraging these models in a Tokyo version of SimMobility Freight, an agent-based urban freight simulation platform developed and used by URFL.

The results of this Fulbright will help Chen, Sakai and URFL build a long-term partnership to study how e-commerce growth and advanced technology in Japan impact travel and urban freight demand. They will explore ways to use large amounts of data from different systems (e.g., ETC2.0, a system that uses two-way communication between vehicles and roads to improve driving safety and traffic management and IC Transit Cards, prepaid cards that can be used to pay for public transportation and other services in Japan) to better understand and predict travel patterns and improve both personal and freight transportation.

According to Chen, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical roles of e-commerce, travel/activity behaviors and freight services for meeting household delivery needs. These are further accelerated with a future envisioned with big data, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and robots intertwined with industry and society.

Chen joins a long history of Fulbright awardees from the , which include Professor Phillip Ooi, Professor Sayed Bateni, Professor Olga Borić-Lubecke and Professor Victor M. Lubecke.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program supports faculty, researchers, and professionals in teaching and conducting research abroad, fostering international collaboration and long-term partnerships. Since 1946, it has provided over 400,000 participants opportunities to exchange ideas and tackle global challenges, including Nobel Laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and world leaders. Annually, more than 800 scholars and 2,000 students take part in Fulbright programs across 160+ countries, supported by the U.S. government and international partners.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ earned a $750,000 award from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), securing its position as a leader in transportation safety innovation.

A team, led by Professor Guohui Zhang, has developed an advanced artificial intelligence system that uses multiple types of sensors to detect and prevent potential crashes at intersections.

The funding was awarded through the DOT’s . Zhang’s team was among four winners receiving the maximum prize amount. The competition aims to leverage emerging technologies to protect vulnerable road users at intersections, supporting the department’s goal of eliminating roadway deaths and serious injuries.

The system utilizes sensor fusion to combine data from multiple sources—LiDAR (which measures distances using laser pulses), RGB cameras (standard color cameras), thermal cameras (which detect heat signatures) and traffic signal data—creating highly accurate 3D tracking while using open vocabulary detection (the ability to identify new objects) to predict potential collision paths. This efficient design optimizes how the sensors work together to run on less expensive hardware while maintaining accuracy across different conditions, making it feasible to scale the technology to intersections across the country.

“This award highlights the University of Hawaiʻi’s commitment to advancing transportation safety through cutting-edge innovation,” Zhang said. “By leading this groundbreaking work, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ and the state of Hawaiʻi are not only shaping the future of safer intersections but also positioning themselves at the forefront of national efforts to save lives and protect communities.”

Building on success

This latest award builds on the team’s previous success in an earlier stage of the challenge, where ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ received $100,000 for an initial concept paper. The earlier phase attracted 120 submissions, with only 15 teams advancing.

The DOT may advance the project to another potential stage, which would focus on developing and testing prototype systems in real-world conditions.

The project represents a collaboration between ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½, Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT), Pacific International Center for High Technology Research and NEC Corporation of America.

“This recognition is really a demonstration of Hawaiʻi’s aggressive efforts to reduce traffic incidents on our roads,” College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka said. “The relationship between HDOT and the College of Engineering has really lifted Hawaiʻi on the national scale and shows how partnerships like these can help save lives.”

Zhang added, “We greatly appreciate all the strong partnerships with NEC Corporation of America to jointly work together to receive this highly competitive award. We are especially grateful for the support and leadership of Edwin Sniffen and Robin Shishido from HDOT, as well as Brennon Morioka from the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ College of Engineering, whose guidance and contributions were invaluable.”

The (ASCE) has named University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Professor Amarjit Singh the recipient of the 2024 Richard R. Torrens Award for his work as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction.

Singh, a professor in the , founded the journal in 2009. Under his leadership, submissions grew six fold by 2024. The publication now ranks first globally in its specialty field according to the Scimago Journal and Country Rank.

“I was honored and felt humble,” Singh said. “There are so many hard-working and distinguished editors-in-chief at ASCE, that it felt very special. This competitive award was given because our niche subject area struck a chord with authors around the world and because we had painstakingly created a first class editorial board of accomplished and distinguished specialists. My efforts received recognition just as I am about to step down from my position at the end of the year after 16 years at the helm as editor-in-chief. I wish the journal the best under new leadership!”

The award recognizes volunteer journal editors who demonstrate outstanding contributions to ASCE‘s publications program, honoring achievements in areas such as journal competitiveness, turnaround time, growth, creativity and innovation.

The honor pays tribute to Richard R. Torrens, who served as manager of professional and technical publications at ASCE for 17 years. ASCE publishes 35 journals across various civil engineering specialty fields.

Honolulu became the epicenter of innovation in nano and molecular medicine in December, as the 17th (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers International Conference on Nano/Molecular Medicine and Engineering) welcomed top scientists, engineers and clinicians from around the world.

The conference, hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi and sponsored by the IEEE Nanotechnology Council, featured groundbreaking research in areas such as cancer immunotherapy, biomedical sensors and single-cell manipulation—work poised to transform modern medicine.

The event featured keynote talks from leaders in the field, such as ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Professor Olga Boricć-Lubecke, with her research on physiological radar for biomedical monitoring. Other sessions discussed the latest developments in micro/nano-enabled sensors for smart healthcare, reflecting the conference’s focus on cutting-edge translational research.

Ten ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ faculty members presented their findings, a significant achievement for the institution. ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Professor Wayne Shiroma noted, “That ten ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ engineering faculty are presenting papers at this premier conference demonstrates how ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ is at the forefront in this field.”

The conference also provided invaluable opportunities for more than 20 ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ students. ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Professor and general chair of the conference, Aaron Ohta, emphasized the significance of their involvement.

“The benefit to them is not only learning about the topical research, but also networking with field experts in their own backyard,” Ohta said. “This exposure to global leaders in nano and molecular medicine is expected to inspire Hawaiʻi’s next generation of researchers and innovators.”

In addition to advancing research, the conference has brought tangible benefits to Hawaiʻi. More than 130 researchers and their families traveled to the islands, boosting local businesses and demonstrating the state’s ability to provide an ideal setting for researchers looking to collaborate. Ohta highlighted the broader impact of the event, saying, “This conference brings together engineers and biologists with the goal of improving biomedical research and healthcare. Everyone wants to be healthier, with increased access to high-quality medical care, and these researchers are working towards creating that reality.”

From space robotics to Formula One race cars, approximately 40 students from King Intermediate School in °­Äå²Ô±ðʻ´Ç³ó±ð, experienced a day of hands-on STEM learning at the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ on November 21.

“Experiences like this can spark a lifelong interest in science and engineering at exactly the age when students are beginning to explore career paths,” said College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka. “By connecting with local middle school students, we’re building a local pipeline of future engineers who can one day use their skills to benefit Hawaiʻi and beyond.”

The middle school students participated in engineering presentations and toured specialized laboratory facilities, including the Robotic Space Exploration laboratory, where students learned about robots for space applications, and the machine shop, where they observed advanced manufacturing equipment. The Society of Automotive Engineers demonstrated practical applications of engineering principles through automotive design projects.

“I think engineering is really cool, like it all seems so fun to do but also so interesting to learn about,” said Lillyana Pangan, a King Intermediate 7th grader. “I really thought that some of the machines they use were awesome and I kinda want to become an engineer.”

Gabrielle Lestino, a King Intermediate 8th grader added, “I’m excited because I get to learn about these new things here about building and science.”

Students from ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s College of Engineering also traveled to King Intermediate in October to meet with the students. It was one of more than a dozen events with schools just in the fall 2024 semester, which included visits with KaimukÄ« Middle, Leilehua High, Kaiser High, Kanoelani Elementary, Liholiho Elementary, Kailua High, Radford High and Waipahu Intermediate.

These events are part of the College of Engineering’s ongoing efforts to increase STEM engagement among students from underrepresented backgrounds in Hawaiʻi. The program aims to create pathways for local students to pursue engineering education and careers.

“It’s really important to want the younger generation to be excited to become engineers,” said Chloe Sabado, a ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ senior in and an . “I think to be able to convince them and show them that engineering has so many applications and we’re actually able to help people as well, I think it’s just very fulfilling to see that they would want to pursue it later on.”

Four students from the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ have been named recipients of the 2024–25 . This award, administered by the Federal Highway Administration, aims to encourage students to pursue careers in transportation and research, helping to develop the next generation of transportation professionals.

The ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ facilitated the local competition, with the awards totaling $31,000. Recipients include undergraduate and graduate students from diverse fields—, , and :

• Dingyi Liu was awarded $10,000 to assess the relationship between zoning and walkability in Honolulu, under the guidance of Department of Urban and Regional Planning Associate Professor Suwan Shen. Liu is a master of urban and regional planning student and a research assistant with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant.
• Ruimin Lin received an $8,500 fellowship to explore equity in public transit services in Honolulu using open-source data. A junior in civil engineering, Lin also interns with SSFM’s Traffic Group. Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering Associate Professor Roger Chen is advising her project.
• Paul Mullins earned a $7,000 fellowship to investigate design strategies for improving transportation accessibility for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Mullins, advised by School of Architecture Professor Kevin Nute, is a master of architecture student.
• Myra Angelica Ortigosa received $5,500 to study statistical data analysis for traffic signal control. She is a junior in computer science working under the mentorship of Department of Information and Computer Sciences Associate Professor Kyungim Baek.

“We are extremely grateful to the Federal Highway Administration for their support of our students,” College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka said. “This financial assistance helps our students focus and spend more time on their studies with the hopes this incentivizes them to continue working here at home to help solve our many problems we face every day here in Hawaiʻi.”

The program not only provides financial support but also offers fellows the opportunity to participate in the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. The event will take place January 5–9, 2025 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Developing innovative technology aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment facilities is the focus of a new University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ project.

The research team—including Zhiyue Wang, assistant professor in the and the , and Tao Yan, professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering and director of the Water Resources Research Center—aims to investigate a new process that could significantly decrease the environmental impact of traditional nitrogen removal methods in wastewater treatment. Removing nitrogen from wastewater is crucial because excess nitrogen can cause harmful algae blooms in lakes and oceans, while conventional treatment processes release a significant amount of greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change.

This effort is supported by a $1,994,225 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, awarded to Kennedy Jenks, a water and environmental engineering and environmental sciences firm. The ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ team will work with Kennedy Jenks and the City and County of Honolulu to run pilot-scale testing at the Waiʻanae wastewater treatment facility starting 2025.

“This research is particularly crucial for Hawaiʻi, where our unique island ecosystem demands innovative solutions to protect our environment and manage our resources sustainably,” Wang said. “By developing technology that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment while potentially increasing energy recovery, we’re not only addressing global climate concerns but also working towards greater energy independence for our island communities.”

Less greenhouse gasses, improved efficiency

At the heart of this project is the development of the Coupled Aerobic-anoxic Nitrous Decomposition Operation (CANDO) process. This innovative approach focuses on converting ammonia, a common component in wastewater, into nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide can then be burned alongside biogas, improving overall energy efficiency at treatment facilities. Recovery of nitrous oxide, 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, can greatly reduce its release into the atmosphere as well.

Researchers aim to achieve an 80% nitrogen removal rate and a 60% nitrous oxide conversion rate through this method. If successful, this technology could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from nitrogen removal processes by 50% or more. This project aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy’s goals for decarbonization in the water treatment sector.

It also addresses challenges associated with co-digestion, a common practice in wastewater treatment where additional organic waste is added to improve biogas production. While beneficial, co-digestion can lead to increased ammonia levels, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The CANDO process offers a potential solution by converting this excess ammonia into a usable energy source.

Researchers believe this technology could be integrated into existing wastewater treatment facilities, providing both environmental and economic benefits. The project team estimates that implementing CANDO could increase energy generation from co-digestion by 5% through nitrous oxide recovery.