Waipahu High School alum discovers environmental science degree, research
Sean Michael Valencia Monte in Washington, DC.
For some students, the path to a career in science is a straight line. For Sean Michael Valencia Monte, it included a serendipitous route.
Born and raised in the Philippines before moving to Waipahu at age seven, Monte entered the University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa with a clear plan: he wanted to continue his award-winning high school research on microbial fuel cells and soil science. He enrolled in the Global Environmental Sciences (GES) program within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), believing it was housed under a different School at UH Mānoa.
“Despite the mix-up that led me here, it became one of the best decisions I have made,” Monte shared. “The GES program introduced me to oceanography, where I discovered the field that now drives my academic and research interests.”
Developing as a leader and scientist
Before he ever stepped foot on a research vessel, Monte was already an experienced leader. At Waipahu High School, he served as a State Officer for the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization, traveling inter-island and to Washington, D.C. to engage with legislators and lead workshops for other FFA members in Hawai‘i.
Since joining SOEST, Monte has been a part of research in various fields. In the summer of 2024, he 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,” Sean shared. “I learned how to communicate science in a way that prioritizes both human safety and animal welfare. Conservation work extends beyond field research—it’s about building trust with local communities.”
Transformative experiences
In the next chapter of Monte’s research journey, he participated in the 2025 summer Research Experience for Undergraduates at Texas A&M during which he studied submarine groundwater discharge and its effects on coastal and drinking water systems in the Corpus Christi area.
That same summer, 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, which Monte considers the most impactful experience of his undergraduate career.
“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
Back on UH Mānoa campus, Monte is part of the SOEST Maile Mentor Bridge Program, which pairs undergraduate students with near-peer mentors. He credits this program with helping him create a supportive and tight-knit community of like-minded students.
“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.
Now recognized as a NOAA Hollings Scholar (2025-2027), Monte’s next chapter will take him to Homer, Alaska, where he will study peatland ecology in the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
“My long-term goal is to conduct research for NOAA, or make my way to Congress in Washington D.C.,” said Monte, who is on track to graduate in spring 2027. “I hope to use my background in science and my work with the community to promote citizen participation in creating a better world.”