University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

M.S., Computer Science (expected Spring, 2025)

2023 - Present

University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

B.S., Computer Science - Data Science

2020 - 2024

University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

Minor, Honors

2020 - 2024

University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

Minor, Pre-Health

• Biology I + Lab
• Biology II + Lab
• Physics I + Lab
• Physics II + Lab
• Inorganic Chemistry I + Lab (General Chemistry)
• Inorganic Chemistry II + Lab (General Chemistry)
• Organic Chemistry I + Lab
• Organic Chemistry II + Lab

2023 - 2024

Software Engineer, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Led a local team of undergraduates and collaborated with a team in the continential United States in advanced research and development groups for Software Supply Chain Security with an emphasis on Software Bills of Materials (SBOM)

• Ensured that the software was developed within purpose
• Assisted in diagnosing/ finding solutions for build issues and operating systems compatibilities
• Conducted Quality Assurance tests on the software
• Developed materials/documentation to focus on the functionality of the software, while also ensuring it remained user/audience-centered.
• Wrote detailed reports summarizing the capabilities of the software for government sponsors

2023 - 2024

Undergraduate Researcher, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Analyzed plant data across genotypes, climates and years to determine how there are differences in plant growth through using data science methodologies

• Understand the importance of place-based learning, data driven paradigms and how it contributes to effective research through visiting various farms across Oahu
• Collaborated amongst biology and computer science undergraduates
• Learned the importance of understanding domain knowledge to bring out nuances to reach conclusions
• Refined visualization and data science skills through using R
• Methodogies used: Decision Trees, Regression Models, Density Plots, Analysis of Variance, Neural Network

2023 - 2023

Student Editorial Board, Horizons: A Journal of Undergraduate Research, Creative Work, and innovation at the University of Hawaii at Manoa

Reviewed and provided constructive criticism for ways to improve pieces before publication, along with providing an opinion to the editor about the viability of the piece

• Reviewed various pieces of different disciplines and provided feedback on whether it was universally readable
• Gained insight on the publication process
• Learned various writing conventions and how they can differ between different disciplines

2021 - 2022

Learning Assistant, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Teach and help students develop an understanding of Calculus 2 concepts along with the application to real world scenarios. Facilitated assistance through helping in recitation sessions that help to bring a deeper understanding of materials presented in the lecture class along with hosting Office Hours (additional contact hours) using effective communication skills to present information clearly in a succinct and easy-to-understand manner.

• Helped provide insight into calculus 2 concepts that helped to bring a further and deeper understanding of material

2022 - 2022

Curriculum Developer of Computer Science for K - 12, University of Hawaii at Manoa

In Hawaii, the computer science proficiency in our secondary schools is falling behind the national average/ proficiency. Therefore, I worked in a team of 5 to create/ develop a curriculum to help bring the computer science competency in Hawaii to the national standard. The curriculum developed had aids of real world examples to help with memory retention and to understand application of computer science principles. Computer science principles that I had created curriculum on, were for bootstrapping a computer, binary numbers, loops, data wrangling, origins of the internet/ computer science, data types, programming basics/ essentials, sorting and searching and the responsibility of a computer scientist. While creating the curriculum, I was fortunate to teach at a local middle school. The curriculum that was developed will be used to teach primarily middle school students for years to come.

• Curriculum developed will continue to be used for future years to come
• Explaining the importance of concepts behind computer science so that younger students are able to get an understanding to further apply it in their futures

2022 - 2022

Web App developer, Hawaii United Okinawa Association

www.okinawanfestival.com/

The Okinawan Festival is the largest ethnic festival in the state of Hawaii. For the website the tasks were to gather information from the various committees so that the public is able to gain insight into what to expect from the festival along with helping to design pages to make them the most functional for attendees. The information gathered included parking information, admission, schedule of events, program, booths and etc.

• Gained insight into how to present information in a readable format for the attendees
• Understanding the broader applications of putting information on the website.
• Statistics (2022) : nearly 65,000 views for the month leading up to festival; over 25,000 views Saturday of festival, close to 9,000 views on Sunday

2022 - 2023

Junior Leader, Hawaii Okinawa Creative Arts

Preserve and perpetuate the Okinawan culture with an emphasis on the performing arts including Okinawan Lion (Shishimai) and dance, along with serving as a mentor and role model to younger members that are interested in learning about and participating in the Okinawan culture/ performing arts

• Learning about the importance of passing down information and insight to the younger generations
• Developed a flexible mindset that adapts to sudden change

2011 - Present

Irei No Hi Co-Chairperson, Hawaii United Okinawa Association

Irei No Hi is known as Okinawa's Memorial day that serves as a day in Okinawa to pay tribute to the hardships and lives lost during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. I volunteered and co-chaired the production of a video of about 2 hours for the Hawaii United OKinawa Association's tribute. This tribute is usually put on by 40-50 year olds, however I co-led a team of 6 college-aged individuals in creating this tribute. The video has over two thousand views on Facebook and Youtube combined and is being shown to university/ high school students in Okinawa by their teachers. This video serves as an example/ role model to the Okinawan community that although being generations from immigration and as college students engrossed in other activities, we still care about preserving and perpetuating the culture. My team and I conducted interviews and research along with breaking down the civilian stories to make it relevant to our generation and why it's important to continue to remember these experiences and the importance of peace. Read more on my personal experience.

• Gained communication skills, application of ethics and serving for something greater than myself.

2021 - 2021

Hawaii Okinawa Ancestral Clubs, Hawaii United Okinawa Association

• Member, Chatan Kadena Chojin Kai
• Member, Ishikawa Sonjin Kai
• Member, Hui Makaala
• Treasurer, Shinka Hawaii 2023-2024

2001 - Present

Undergraduate professional organization involvement,

• Vice-President & Chief of Operations, Association for Computing Machinery Student Chapter at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2022-2023
• Vice-Chairperson, Grey Hats at UHM (Cyber Security Club), 2022-2023
• Student Ambassador, College of Natural Science Student Ambassador, 2021 - 2023

An Exploration of the Way Modern Technology Can Influence the Development of Compassion in Adolescents, Horizons: A Journal of Undergraduate Research, Creative Work, and innovation at the University of Hawaii at Manoa

scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/64199b68-186c-4230-af7b-9ad44ea89daa/content

Technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in society, where especially in recent times, virtually the majority of tasks, meetings, and schooling are carried out through online formats. This piece aims to address the negative and positive effects that technology introduces and is increasingly prevalent in our society. These findings were analyzed through the analysis of literature. These studies are able to show how technology has brought about convenience but also has impacted the development of interpersonal and intrapersonal characteristics with particular emphasis on compassion and empathy. The studies analyzed were mainly based within the European Union, but can be further applied to other societies and the world.

Outstanding Student Volunteer Award - Best Hospitality, Association for Computing Machinery - Computer-Human Interaction Conference 2024 (ACM CHI 2024)

Over 100 student volunteers from around the world were selected to assist with various duties at the conference, widely considered the most prestigious in the computer science field of human-computer interaction (HCI), and was held in Hawaii in 2024. I was honored with the Best Hospitality.

2024

Honorable Mention, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)

The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. As the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the GRFP has a long history of selecting recipients who achieve high levels of success in their future academic and professional careers. There are over 12,000 students who apply annually, where about 2,000 receive awards and 1,500 receive honorable mentions. Applications were reviewed according to NSF's Merit Criteria for Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. An honorable mention is considered to be a significant achievement.

www.research.gov/grfp/AwardeeList.do?method=loadAwardeeList

2024

Uchinanchu of the Year, Hawaii United Okinawa Association

Awarded by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association ancestral clubs to individuals who have contributed unselfishly to the success of their respective clubs. My ancestral club is Chatan Kadena Chojin Kai. This award was previously awarded to individuals that are elderly, and now it's normally awarded to those that are 40-50 years old. However, my brother and I are the youngest thus far to receive the award (2023). Uchinanchu in Okinawan refers to a person of Okinawan descent.

dev.huoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023InstallationWEB.pdf

2023

Certificate of Recognition, University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Information and Computer Science

For their exceptional service in promoting and supporting the growth of the Information and Computer Science Department

2023

AI For All Certificate of Completion, AI For All

Become familiar with the ethics and applications of Artificial Intelligence as it continues to be incorporated into society

2023

National Cyber League (NCL) Team Game Certificate of Participation, Cyber Skyline

Team of 2 with Aaron Thomas scored in top 95 percentile overall (185/3593) and within the top 90th percentile for all modules completed. Credential ID: 060WAXQ4X5PW

cyberskyline.com/report/060WAXQ4X5PW

2023

Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Leadership, Association for Computing Machinery - Student Chapter University of Hawaii at Manoa

Recognized for their exceptional service in promoting and supporting the growth of technology and the organization

2023

Department of Information and Computer Science Student Spotlight , University of Hawaii at Manoa

The Information and Computer Science Student Spotlight serves to recognize students and highlight their achievements and experiences, while also empowering the student population to engage with the community.

www.instagram.com/uhm_ics/p/CzqJ7oJOC2w/?img_index=1

2023

College of Natural Sciences Student Spotlight, University of Hawaii at Manoa

The College of Natural Sciences Student Spotlight serves to recognize students and highlight their achievements and experiences, while also empowering the student population to engage with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa community.

natsci.manoa.hawaii.edu/sasc/current-student-spotlight/

2022

International Baccalaureate Diploma, International Baccalaureate Program at Henry J. Kaiser High School

A two (2) year college rigorous intensive curriculum that comprises 7 different courses that allow for interdisciplinary understanding of topics while also becoming more globally minded. All concepts are taught with the foundation of application to real world current examples. It allows for students to be globally minded and culturally aware of the different regions/ parts of the world. The diploma is awarded to students upon completion of the program that is defined based on completion of various research intensive essays, projects, community service and series of tests (tests were not given during 2020 due to COVID). Through the curriculum it allows students to be framed in a more balanced lifestyle through multiple avenues.

2020

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Embodiment Award, Henry J. Kaiser High School

Awarded to an individual who exemplifies the principles of the AVID program of being prepared for College through note-taking, time management, organization, and proactiveness.

2017,2020

Brandeis University Book Award, Henry J. Kaiser High School

Awarded to a Junior in the top 10% of their class and demonstrates a commitment to civic engagement, community service, political activism, social justice, or volunteer work.

2019

Hawaii Okinawa Student Exchange - 30th Anniversary Certificate of Participation, Hawaii United Okinawa Association

Given to individuals who participated in the student exchange program between Hawaii and the Okinawa Prefecture. One of the only true exchanges in the world. The first part of the exchange was in February where the Okinawa High School students visited Hawaii, did homestay, and attended various Hawaii activities. Then in June, the Hawaii students participate in the exchange and go to Okinawa to do a homestay and attend various Okinawa activities. During this exchange, I served as the sole student representative on the panel to celebrate the 30th anniversary.

2019

Most Industrious in Class Leadership, Henry J. Kaiser High School

Awarded to the student who demonstrates the most diligent and hardworking characteristics amongst students in class leadership.

2017,2018

Elli Kupuke Fund of Hawai’i Community Foundation Scholarship Award, Hawaii Community Foundation

Awarded to the top outstanding projects from the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program projects. These projects allow individuals to explore individual curiosities and how to make an impact on the world.

2018

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program Completion, International Baccalaureate Program

A five (5) year intensive curriculum that comprises courses in the core curriculum (eg, Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Art) that have an emphasis on making individuals to be exposed to global issues, real-world issues, and understanding where society has come, along with the interdisciplinarity of the world

2018

Second Degree Black Belt, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho's Tae Kwon Do Center

Awarded upon completion of testing for the second degree black belt. The testing process included demonstration of sets of different techniques followed by memory recitation of multiple passages that range from definition of patterns from white belt to black belt, along with describing morals and understanding of the role of a martial artist. Throughout my journey I have been able to learn valuable life lessons that stem from the principles of modesty, courtesy, integrity, self control, perseverance and indomitable spirit.

2017