DRB Graduate Program Student Retreat IBR Conference Room, November 6, 2019
The JABSOM Developmental and Reproductive Biology (DRB) Graduate Program Students 2019 Retreat took place on November 6 at the UH Manoa Institute of Biogenesis Research (IBR). Thirteen students (7 PhD and 6 MS) presented their work. The topics covered various aspects of reproductive and developmental biology, such as stem cells in reproduction, oogenesis, fertilization, assisted reproduction technologies, embryonic and fetal development, placentation and other aspects of pregnancy, transgenesis, behavior, etc. Faculty from the IBR, Anatomy, Biochemistry & Physiology (ABH) and Cell and Molecular Biology departments were in attendance. The meeting was highly successful, with collegial atmosphere and vivid discussions. The students' presentations were top-notch, both in respect to power point presentation quality and its oral delivery. 2019 DRB Retreat Flyer with Presentation Titles and Schedule
Aileen Li studies important roles of glucose in embryo body patterning	Justin Padron investigates oxidative stress in preterm birth	Chantell Balaan explores cavefish as a model to study autism spectrum disorder
Trevor Torigoe investigates genes that may be associated with human logevity	Brent Fujimoto analyzes molecular mechanisms that maintain blood glucose	Nicholas Kawasaki studies how iron is involved in heart muscle death
Cassandra Matsushige aims to grow healthy eggs in a culture dish	Vania Fernandes investigates how blind fish navigates through surrounding environment	Kimberly Lactaeon analyses genetic factors responsible for cavefish behavior
Ryuei Sato aims to develop a new tool for precise gene targetting	Dominique Elento investigates asymmetric cell division to make healthy eggs	Lance Nunes explores a novel technlogy to regulate maternal-fetal interactions
Ludwig Mayerlen applies in vitro evolution to create a novel transgenesis tool	Many students and faculty members are in the audience, enjoying students' presentations	1st year students (Winnie, Lauren and Jackson) are eager to present their research next time
Prize Winners!!
Best Throughout (Advanced Student); sponsored by the JABSOM Dean Dr. Jerris Hedges - Nicholas Kawasaki Best Throughout (Beginning Student); sponsored by the JABSOM Dean Dr. Jerris Hedges - Cassandra Matsushige Most Professional; sponsored by the ABP Department Chair Dr. Takashi Matsui - Dominique Elento Most Engaging; sponsored by the IBR Director Dr. Steve Ward - Brent Fujimoto Most Insightful; sponsored by the DRB Program Chair Dr. Monika Ward - Ludwig Mayerlen Junior Pioneer; sponsored by the IBR Professor Emeritus Dr. Ryuzo Yanagimachi - Vania Fernandes