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Madeline presented her project’s findings at the 2025 NOAA Intern Symposium. For her final project, she produced her first scientific poster, Impacts of Macroborers on Corals Along a Water Quality Gradient in American Samoa, which examined how macroborer infestation varied among sites with differing water quality in Nuʻuuli Pala Lagoon and the adjacent back reef. Her abstract was accepted to the annual Western Society of Naturalists conference, enabling her to travel to San Diego to present a poster on the results of her internship project.
Madeline is currently a junior in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Honors College, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She was recently admitted to the AAUS Scientific Diver course for the spring semester and plans to participate in QUEST this summer to further develop her scientific and diving experience. She also plans to pursue a master’s degree as she continues working toward a career in marine and environmental research.
CIMAR Pilina Workshop: Strengthening Connections Between Science, Place, and Community
From August 11–14, CIMAR and their partners at UH Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao hosted a four-day Pilina Workshop, bringing together 30+ participants from CIMAR/PIFSC, local organizations, and UH. Through pilina (relationship) circles, visits to Loko Iʻa Pāʻaiau and Mauna ʻAla, and thoughtful discussions, participants explored how to deepen relationships with place and each other, and integrate Hawaiian principles and knowledge into research. Cultural practitioners and UH professors led these discussions, helping participants envision more pono (responsible) ways of doing science. The workshop concluded with collective brainstorming for future collaborations and commitments to strengthen pilina with Hawaiʻi and Pacific Island communities. Mahalo nui to everyone involved in this meaningful experience—we look forward to carrying this momentum into FY26!
Photos: first two are workshop participants at Mauna ʻAla, followed by the Loko Iʻa Pāʻaiau
CIMAR is thrilled to recognize and congratulate the three CIMAR staff selected as 2024 PIFSC Team Members of the Year. These individuals exemplify the excellence, dedication, and collaboration that define our partnership with PIFSC and NOAA’s broader mission.
Andrew Glinsky:
Andrew demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication as the turtle team lead during the 2024 Lalo field season, successfully training a new team member, tagging over 1,000 turtles, and ensuring all data collection and reporting goals were met. His initiative, problem-solving, and foresight—especially in preparing for the 2025 season amid logistical challenges—have had a major positive impact on the program. Andrew’s humility, empathy, and quiet reliability make him not only an outstanding team member but also a trusted leader and valued colleague.
Dr. Courtney Couch:
Dr. Courtney Couch leads innovative, high-impact research that strengthens the scientific foundation for coral restoration and recovery, directly supporting NOAA’s habitat conservation and ESA-listed species priorities. As Principal Investigator on multiple complex, collaborative projects, she integrates cutting-edge technology with field-based science to deliver actionable data while fostering strong partnerships across NOAA, state agencies, and community groups. Dr. Couch’s strategic insight, leadership, and dedication to both science and service exemplify the values and mission of PIFSC, making her a standout team member deserving of this recognition.
Dr. Jessica Perelman:
Dr. Jessica Perelman exemplifies the best of Cooperative Institute science through her leadership, initiative, and commitment to inclusive and applied research. She leads the ichthyoplankton survey program while also taking on new supervisory and grant responsibilities, supporting NOAA’s mission through both scientific and administrative excellence. Her ability to build strong partnerships across NOAA, academia, and the community—along with her dedication to mentorship, equity, and cultural grounding—reflects a model of collaborative, values-driven leadership.
Congratulations again to Andrew, Dr. Couch, and Dr. Perelman on this well-deserved recognition!
Congratulations to Dr. John M. Lyman for receiving an OAR Outstanding Scientific Paper Award!
The winning paper was authored by Norman G. Loeb, Gregory C. Johnson, Tyler J. Thorsen, John M. Lyman, Fred G. Rose, and Seiji Kato. Their winning study, published in 2021 in Geophysical Research Letters, is titled “Satellite and ocean data reveal marked increase in Earth’s heating rate.” A simplified synopsis is available here.
In the photo (l to r): Drs. Wei Cheng, Jiaxu Zhang, Michelle McClure, John Lyman, and Diane Stanitski (Photo: Emily Bryan). Michelle McClure is Director of the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, and Diane Stanitski is Deputy Director. Wei Cheng and Jiaxu Zhang are research scientists at PMEL who co-authored a paper receiving a separate OAR Outstanding Scientific Paper Award.
The 4th CIMAR Symposium
Climate change is affecting all aspects of the world’s biota. The theme of the 4th CIMAR Symposium on Nov. 20, 2024, was “Climate and Communities,” where “communities” implies the broader sense of all interdependent living organisms within CIMAR’s research and applications portfolios in the tropical Pacific. The Symposium welcomed discussion of work exploring the impact of climate change on any of the interdependent communities of living organisms in the tropical Pacific, ranging for example from deep sea food webs to coastal human societies, and including biological, chemical and physical impacts.
Oral and poster sessions were held during the one-day event in the Campus-Center Ballroom. Presenters were a mix of CIMAR researchers, NOAA federal staff, UH faculty and students, and outside experts, in order to further the overarching CIMAR goal of cross-fertilization of ideas among these often-dissociated groups. We plan to upload the live-streamed oral presentations, as well as copies of the posters, to the symposium webpage. You can also check out the previous 2019 symposium webpage here.
Madeline Groh with a poster of her research
Louise Giuseffi practices fish surveys during a training dive on the Sea Tiger wreck off South Oahu.
Workshop participants at Mauna ʻAla
Workshop participants at Mauna ʻAla
Loko Iʻa Pāʻaiau
Dr. Chelsie Counsell and Khrista Nicholas celebrate the conclusion of a successful summer 2024 research internship. Credit: Brian Hauk
Khrista Nicholas with her poster at ASLO 2025.
Andrew Glinsky
Dr. Courtney Couch
Dr. Jessica Perelman
From left to right: Wei Cheng, Jiaxu Zhang, Michelle McClure, John Lyman, Diane Stanitski. Standing together, holding their awards.
JIMAR Symposium 2019