Professional Experience

Assistant Specialist, Soil Fertility, 8/03-present, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences,
University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Responsibilities: Develop a state-wide soil nutrient management program related to tillage practices,
integrated crop management, land use, and soil productivity. Develop applied research and
extension programs related to soil nutrient management. Teach Introductory soils class.

• Research Assistant, University of Hawai'i at Manoa
• Program Coordinator, 9/97-6/03, Hoa `Aina O Makaha, Waianae, HI
  Responsibilities: Develop and coordinate environmental science programs for elementary through high school age students.
• ESL Instructor, 6/97-12/98, Hawai'i Pacific Univ. Honolulu, HI.
• Research Assistant, 8/94-5/97, Department of Agronomy and Soil Science, University of Hawai'i.
• ESL Instructor, 8/92-8/94, Hawai'i Pacific Univ. Honolulu, HI.
• Technical Trainer, 6/91-1/92, CHP International, Batie, Cameroon, Peace Corps Nepal
• Peace Corps Volunteer, 7/85-1/91, Peace Corps Cameroon, Peace Corps Nepal.

Awards

2007 Outstanding Specialist Award, Hawaii Association of County Agricultural Agents, Cooperative Extension Service, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa
2002 Best Video Production, Community Category. Olelo Television Corp.
2002 Hawaii Needs Care Award for the Na Imi Wai After School Program. Moanalua Garden Foundation

Research

September 2008 – August 2010 (USDA NRI)
Anammox Activity and Nitrogen Dynamics in in flooded taro soils of Hawaii. Assessing the distribution and activity of anammox bacteria in flooded taro soils of Hawaii. Field trial to determine alternative N fertilization strategies on anammox activity and N use efficiency.

October 2007 – September 2010 (NRCS-CIG)
Evaluating Cover Crop Effects on Soil Quality, Insect Population Dynamics, and Economic Return for Diversified Farms in Hawaii. On-farm field trials to assess changes in soil biological parameters following cover cropping.

August 2007 – December 2008 (Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation)
Development of Best Management Practices for Control of Madagascar Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis Poiret) in Hawaii. I am coordinating the soils portion of the project which seeks to determine relationship of fireweed distribution and alkaloid content with respect to changing soil type.

August 2006 – December 2009 (USDA-TSTAR)
Soil organic matter management to improve soil and crop quality on intensive vegetable farms in Hawaii. On-farm trials testing the viability of using green manure crops and other organic amendments to improve soil and crop quality on conventional vegetable farms in Hawaii.

October 2005 – September 2008 (USDA-TSTAR)
Best Management Practices for the Remediation of Former Sugarcane and Pineapple Lands for Sustainable Livestock Production in Hawaii. Field trials to develop optimal soil management strategies for high quality forage production.

October 2004 – 2008 (NRCS-CESU)
Characterizing nitrogen mineralization and plant N supply from animal manures and effluent in Hawaii’s soils, laboratory and field experiments characterizing N mineralization rates from animal manures (swine, dairy, and poultry) applied as fertilizers. Information developed from this project will fill an information gap and provide field data to allow NRCS to update their field manual on manure application protocols.

October 2004 – 2007 (USDA-TSTAR)
Determining the impacts of water pumping and alien species invasion on stream flow for a sustainable water resource management in Makaha Valley, Hawaii. Developed water budget for the watershed and supervised students conducting gound-truth activities for the remote sensing component of the project.