Marine sponge research at HIMB launches high schooler to international competition
Kian Sanchez placed third in 2024 Hawai'i State Science Fair
University Laboratory School junior Kian Sanchez conducted award-winning research on marine sponges at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) that is taking him to two high caliber competitions on the mainland in the coming weeks.
Mentored by Jan Vicente, coral reef biodiversity researcher at HIMB in the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, Sanchez assessed the importance of marine sponges in the reef ecosystem. Specifically, he was interested in how sponges, which are filter-feeders and critical to the nutrient cycling on a coral reef, may be impacted by pollution and climate change.
Placing third in the Hawai‘i State Science and Engineering Fair and third at the Pacific Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, Sanchez qualified to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition, in California and the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in New Mexico.
“Since the first day I met Kian, I was inspired to teach him what I know about marine sponges because his curiosity and relentless motivation to do science at such a young age was absolutely stunning and foreign to me,” said Vicente. “His perseverance when conducting experiments, even when they failed, allowed him to ask the right questions for improving experimental design. He has now completed two projects on topics that are breaking new ground in the field deep sea biology and nutrient dynamics on coral reef ecosystems which have awarded him with a scholarship and a trip to national and international science competitions.”
Preparing young scientists in Hawai‘i
Sanchez has always had an intrinsic curiosity about the world around him and with the ocean in particular. His love for science and the ocean culminated into a passion for the aquarium hobby, which was his gateway into marine biology.
During the summer of 2023, Sanchez met Vicente during his participation in the Research Experiences in Marine Science (REMS) program at HIMB. The six-week summer course offers a rigorous, place-based, early-college marine science experience for Hawai‘i students while contributing to UH Mānoa’s 2025 strategic priority to become a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning.
“Our community partners and fellow researchers are always so inspired by the energy and innovative insights students bring to the REMS program,” said Christine Ambrosino Carrier, a discipline-based education researcher in the KeaoaLoʻe REMS Lab who helps coordinate the experience. “As the purpose of REMS is to prepare young scientists to tackle marine science issues in Hawai‘i, it is incredibly rewarding to watch alumni, like Kian, expand the limits of our understanding of the ocean and the complex life within it.”
Real world, hands-on research experience
Through his research, Sanchez aimed to highlight an often overlooked organism, and to showcase the exciting and important field of marine sponge research.
“It was my first time getting a taste of what professional marine science was really about, and getting to work in an actual lab,” Sanchez shared. “Besides the amazing marine science education, my favorite thing about REMS was the people. Getting to be around peers who were passionate about marine science, and adults who were excited to work with us, was really cool. Jan has been a joy to work with, and this project was quite literally impossible without all of his guidance and support.”
“Mentoring high school students is always a privilege because they are giving us the opportunity as professional researchers to pass on knowledge to the next generation,” said Vicente. “The earlier the students get exposed to research in marine biology the quicker they learn the value of stimulating creative and scientific thinking.”
While Sanchez hasn’t decided on a specific career path, he plans to pursue a higher education in a STEM field.
“I am currently interested in molecular biology as well as genetics, and biology as a whole,” said Sanchez. “Being able to work at the frontier of synthetic biology and genetic engineering would be amazing, and I hope to participate in related research in college!”