Kewalo
Lab Awarded $800,000 to Support Coral Reef Protection
 The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded two grants totaling
more than $800,000 to Pacific Biomedical Research Center’s
Kewalo Marine Laboratory. The grants support continuing research
spearheaded by Robert Richmond on coral reef protection.
The research projects will focus on effects of land-based sources of pollution
on costal reefs and how to better manage human activities within adjacent watersheds.
Additionally, researchers are working on the development of forensic tools or
biomarkers for finding specific biological responses when corals and other reef
organisms undergo stress. The biomarkers will allow scientists to detect stress
at early stages, before corals die. Early detection also provides opportunities
for saving the animals that reside on coral reefs.
Read
the press release.
UH
Submits Proposal to Build State-of-the-Art Biocontainment Laboratory
The university announced plans to apply for one of five $25-million grants from
the National Institutes of Health to build a new state-of-the-art Level 3 Regional
Biocontainment Laboratory in Hawai‘i. The new laboratory would be a key
enabling facility for life, health and medical sciences research and development.
A decision on UH’s proposal is expected in October 2005, and if accepted,
a laboratory could be built and operational by 2010.
According to a December 2004 report by the non-profit Trust for America’s
Health, Hawai‘i is one of 20 states that do not meet standards for preparedness
in responding to bioterrorism attacks or other health emergencies.
“Scientists at the University of Hawai‘i are already conducting impressive
and significant research relating to bioterrorism, environmental health and safety,
and infectious diseases,” said Interim Vice President for Research Jim
Gaines. “This award, if granted, will provide the support
needed to establish a state-of-the-art laboratory right here in Hawai‘i
that will not only benefit the university’s students and faculty, but will
provide a considerable boost in the state’s bioterrorism and other health
emergency preparedness efforts.”
Read
more about it.
Best
Law School Rankings Awarded by Princeton Review
 Students
taking School of Law pledge.
The William
S. Richardson School of Law has the Best Environment for Minority
Students and the Most Diverse Faculty, according to Princeton Review’s
2005 Best Law School rankings. The School of Law was the only law
school to receive two first place standings in 11 categories.
The Best Environment for Minority Students category was determined by the students’ assessment
of whether they received equal treatment by faculty and fellow students regardless
of their ethnicity. The Most Diverse Faculty ranking was based on the percentage
of minority law school faculty and the students’ assessment of whether
the faculty comprised a broadly diverse group of individuals.
Visit
Princeton Review’s website.
Hamilton
Addition Reopens After Flood
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Library Addition |
The Hamilton
Library Addition reopened to the public on Jan. 3. This provides
access to the science/technology book stacks, periodicals and
the Hamilton CLIC (student computer) lab. Due to lack of power
and flood damage, Phase I, Phase II and other sections of the
library remain closed but materials are accessible through the
paging system.
Read
the press release.
Lyon
Arboretum Opened for Public Access
The Lyon Arboretum reopened to full public access on Jan. 2. The facility has
been closed since late August, when the university determined that there were
several serious health and safety concerns regarding the Arboretum’s
buildings and grounds. Arboretum improvements included pruning large trees,
making structural evaluations of buildings, changing surfaces of walkways,
placing warning and guideway signs and moving low hanging utility lines.
Read
more about it.
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