UH alumna committed to ensuring ocean and human health
Lauryn Hansen assisting with a beach clean-up.
Lauryn Hansen can pinpoint the moment she realized that she could turn her passion for and connection to the environment into a career path—beginning a journey that would eventually lead her to dive deep into the intricate links between ocean and human health.
“My high school history teacher showed our class a clip of a late-night talk show where lobbyists in powerful positions chatted about their stance on climate regulation,” Hansen recalled. “It was the first time I really thought about how the world worked—and how often people making the biggest decisions may not act in the public’s best interest. That was an ‘aha’ moment for me: realizing that I could channel my deep care and interest in the environment into a career.”
Hansen graduated high school in San Clemente, California and spent a significant part of her childhood in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle. Having always felt a strong connection to the Pacific Ocean, she was clear that she wanted to attend University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa and enroll in the Global Environmental Sciences (GES) bachelor’s degree program in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST).
For her GES senior thesis project, Hansen worked with Robert Richmond at the Kewalo Marine Laboratory to investigate how exposure to PFAS, a type of “forever chemical”, influenced different phases of the coral life cycle. Through this project she developed a strong interest in toxicology and contamination, which ultimately steered her towards pursuing a Bachelor’s and Master’s (BAM) Combined degree in Public Health at UH Mānoa.
“The transition to public health ended up being a really natural fit,” Hansen shared.
Linking science, health and community
One of Hansen’s graduate projects was part of the Oceans and Human Health Initiative at the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health, where she helped facilitate a series of workshops that explored the factors that shape people’s relationships with the ocean, including access issues, physical risks such as contamination, and the benefits of spending time near coastal environments. This experience sparked her interest in “blue space” engagement — the idea that time spent in or near natural environments, including ocean and coastal areas, can promote improved health and well-being — as a form of public health intervention. This also inspired her capstone project, which focused on spearfishing in Hawai‘i as a way to support culturally relevant health promotion for island communities.
“One of my favorite experiences was acting as a facilitator for the Oceans and Human Health Initiative workshops because I learned so much simply by listening to people’s stories,” Hansen reflected. “It was a unique atmosphere that felt really different from the structured textbook learning that I was accustomed to at that point.”
After graduation, she continued research with Eileen Nalley at the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program on an environmental justice project examining historical land use around Puʻuloa (Pearl Harbor) and investigating documented contamination legacies in the area.
Now, as an E. Gordon Grau Fellow with Hawai‘i Sea Grant, Hansen is focusing specifically on coastal marine resource management related to contaminants of emerging concern, such as forever chemicals, pesticides, and microplastics. and have been collaborating with researchers, water quality managers, and government agencies to gather a snapshot of local efforts that are currently taking place and identify ways to improve our monitoring and management of these contaminants.
“I have had the great opportunity to explore the management side of contaminants research and have been privileged to learn from many professionals in the field in such a short time,” Hansen said. “It has been exciting to feel that the solutions I am developing could inform tangible outcomes and improve the health of coastal ecosystems and communities.”
Strengthening connection across campus
In addition to research, Hansen contributes to SOEST and UH Mānoa’s efforts to become a stronger Native Hawaiian Place of Learning (NHPoL). After completing Cohort Kaulua, a professional development endeavor offered through the UH Mānoa NHPoL Advancement Office, she became trained as a Pilina Circle co-facilitator, and continues to support the NHPoL office in their effort the to provide spaces for reflection and connection among UH Mānoa community members.
“Pilina Circles are a really powerful invitation into the present moment and offer an opportunity to meaningfully connect with those around you,” said Hansen. “Engaging in this way has helped me to become more comfortable with storytelling and with showing vulnerability in professional spaces. Without any doubt, being involved with Pilina Circles has been one of the highlights of my year.”
Looking ahead, Hansen plans to continue working in environmental health while focusing more on outreach and community engagement.
“What matters most to me is being in a role where I can take research beyond the ivory tower—working with people, shaping conversations, and helping create solutions that make a real difference,” Hansen said.