While pursuing an undergraduate degree in Earth sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Casey Wandasan had experiences that shaped the trajectory of his academic journey. Ongoing research on the inner workings of two volcanoes in Alaska and an open ocean research cruise solidified his plans to pursue geophysics in graduate school after he graduates in May 2024.
“The cruise and my research experiences have been transformative, exposing me to marine geophysics, emphasizing the unity of science and community, and honing my adaptability in research, significantly amplifying my skills for future endeavors,” said Wandasan.
Wandasan works with Earth sciences assistant professor Helen Janiszewski in the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) to help with her efforts to understand magma storage depths and seismic characteristics at two volcanoes in the Aleutian islands of Alaska. Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, they analyze seismic information to determine the structures and layers beneath the subsurface of the volcanoes.
In fall 2023, Wandasan participated in a 10-day, open ocean research cruise aboard the UH research vessel Kilo Moana. He sailed on a STEMSEAS (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Student Experiences Aboard Ships) research cruise to map the Molokaʻi Fracture Zone, gather bathymetric, gravity and magnetic data, and attempt remotely-operated vehicle dives at the undersea volcano Kamaʻehuakanaloa.
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“I embraced this unique experience that not many undergraduates get to have,” said Wandasan. “Throughout the cruise, I had a variety of opportunities to delve deeper into geophysical research.”
The path to pursuing geoscience
At Waiʻanae High School, Wandasan participated in the early college program. He then completed an associate’s degree in natural sciences from Leeward Community College, where he was also a tutor for math and the Hawaiʻi Pre-Engineering Education Collaborative, which aims to build capacity at Native Hawaiian-serving institutions and prepare students for STEM degree completion and careers.
“Casey has a rare, genuine curiosity about the world that pushes him well beyond assigned tasks and minimum requirements,” said Janiszewski. “This is matched by his willingness to challenge himself by pursuing new and unfamiliar experiences. It has been a privilege to watch him develop independence in his research over the past two years, and I am excited to follow his career as it progresses.”
For more information, see SOEST’s website.
–By Marcie Grabowski
