I have an array of research interests. However, I am particularly interested in how changes the size, distribution, and genetic composition of populations impact ecosystem processes. Much of the current concern over the extinction crisis centers on the loss of species. However, the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem processes is primarily a function of populations of species, and population change can have a substantial impact on an ecosystem that is independent of changes in species richness.

Native Hawaiian succineid land-snails are a great model group in which to study these relationships. They face many threats including habitat loss/modification and the introduction of predators which includes 2 snail predators: the rosy wolf snail, Euglandina rosea, and the omnivorous garlic snail, Oxychilus alliarius. However, they are still abundant enough to conduct manipulative experiments. My three research questions for my Ph.D. thesis include:

1) What is the status of the 3 succineid species found between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Saddle Rd. on the island of Hawaii?

2) What potential impacts do the introduced predatory snail species have on the populations of succineids?

3)What is the functional role of succineids in their environment, and how does density impact ecosystem processes provided by these snails?

For a more detailed description of my current research please examine my PH.D. proposal. I welcome any feed back associated with the design of my project.

Links to my proposal and CV will be available May 15, 2005:)

The NSF GK-12 Fellowship at UH Manoa offers financial assistance to graduate students in exchange for the development of hands-on science inquiry based educational programs for students from kindergarten to 12the grade. Each project is unique and usually related to the individual fellows research expertise and interests.

In my 2 years as a fellow, I have developed 2 unique programs. The first, "Ecology of Hawaiian Land-Snails", was developed for students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. It includes hands on activities to build skills and scientific concepts, a year long research project, and shorter individual research projects that are designed by the students. The second project, "Conservation of Hawaiian Land-Snails", was developed for high school biology students. It has extensive in class, field, and computer components. Although the material is specifically designed for succineids in the Kohala Forest Reserve, it can be easily modified to study populations of any snail species.

All projects focus the process of science. Our science education tends to focus on results from previous studies and not on what scientist actually do. Both of my projects take students through the entire scientific process from learning about the organisms to conducting experiments and reporting the results.

This is a short synopsis on what I have done in this wonderful project. If you have any questions feel free to contact anytime. In addition, please use any of the available material however you see fit, and let me know if there was anything you found useful.

Links to the educational material will be available May 15, 2005:)