The JABSOM Developmental and Reproductive Biology (DRB) Graduate Program Students 2019 Retreat took place on November 6 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 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.
Judges awarded monetary prizes and diplomas to six presenters:
Nicholas Kawasaki:The Best Throughout – Advanced Student; sponsored by Jerris Hedges, Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).
Cassandra Matsushige:The Best Throughout – Beginning Student; sponsored by JABSOM Dean Hedges.
Dominique Elento: The Most Professional; sponsored by the ABH Department Chair Dr. Takashi Matsui.
Brent Fujimoto: The Most Engaging; sponsored by the IBR Director Dr. Steve Ward.
Ludwig Mayerlen:The Most Insightful; sponsored by the DRB Chair Dr. Monika Ward.
Vania Fernandes:Junior Pioneer; sponsored by the IBR Professor Emeritus Dr. Ryuzo Yanagimachi.
Other presenters included:
Chantell Balaan, Kimberly Lactaeon, Lance Nunes, Justin Padron, Ryuei Sato, Trevor Torigoe and Aileen Yi.