After moving from the Philippines to Waipahu at age seven, Sean Michael Valencia Monte arrived at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a clear mission: to transform his passion for microbial research into a career in environmental conservation. Building on award-winning Waipahu High School research in soil science, Monte joined the Global Environmental Sciences (GES) program in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST).
Since joining SOEST, Monte has been a part of research in various fields. In summer 2024, Monte participated in the Hollings Preparation Program, working with the NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office on Hawaiian monk seal conservation. While assisting in pup taggings and conducting watches was exciting, his real takeaway was the human connections.
“The most important thing I learned was how to effectively engage with the public,” Monte shared. “I learned how to communicate science in a way that prioritizes both human safety and animal welfare.”
Transformative experiences
In summer 2025, he was selected as part of a five-student cohort that revived the UH Blue Water Marine Lab Program. Aboard the UH research vessel Kaunana, Monte gained hands-on training in plankton tows, marine mammal surveys, and the deployment of autonomous water sampling technology. And, through the National Student Exchange, he attended California State University, Monterey Bay for a semester.
“Spending a semester away from home taught me how much growth can come from the people you meet and the places you experience,” Monte shared. “I met incredible international students from France, Germany, Norway and Japan. Traveling across California and nearby states helped me gain independence and confidence. The experiences that I received proved to be transformative.”
Building connections and looking ahead
At UH Mānoa, Monte is part of the SOEST Maile Mentor Bridge Program, which pairs undergraduate students with near-peer mentors.
“Through my Maile Mentor, Raffi Isah, I was able to connect with and secure GES thesis mentors, and the program has given me a space to share my goals, challenges and experiences with others who understand the demands of SOEST and are motivated by similar interests,” Monte said.
