Kaua'i ISEF Finalists
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ISEF Year/Participant | Schools/Majors | Project | Message |
2024 (Los Angles)
Jeanine Marie Grace Longboy
| Kauai High School (c/o 2024)
Stanford University
Human Biology | "Identifying Photosynthetic Microeukaryotes and Cyanobacteria in the diet of Tilapia in the 'Alekoko Fishpond using eDNA." | My ISEF experience was a blessing that helped me create now some of my closest friends both in and out of Hawai’i. Every finalist I’ve connected with opened my eyes to see that high school student researchers are more than capable of solving the issues of the world— inspiring me to continue being a part of this community of researchers to make tangible change. It is thanks to the restoration staff at Mãlama Hūle’ia, Mrs. Alex Nelson and Mr. Kevin Johnson from Kaua’i High School, Mr. Eric Tong and Mr. Ethan Hills from ‘Iolani Bioinformatics, Kauai Regional Science and Engineering Fair Director Mr. Dan Matthews, and my parents for their continued support to turn a science project into a passion project for DNA metabarcoding into an impactful solution that brings insight into the next steps for restoration at the ‘Alekoko Fishpond into a functioning food source. |
2023 (Dallas)
Jaxyn Treadwell
Lauryn Hashimoto | Kauai High School (c/o 2023)
University of Hawaii, MonoaPre-Med
Kauai High School (c/o 2025) | "Creating Perfusable Tissue Scaffolds From Decellularized Plant Leaves"
"Lure Comparison for Capturing Male Culex Mosquitoes" | |
2022 (Atlanta/Virtual)
Kylan Takakusagi
| Waimea High School (c/o 2022)
University of Hawaii, Monoa Business Marketing | "Electronic Braking System" | I believe participating in any science fair is great way for students to test their skills and learn a lot. I personally learned a lot from my ISEF experience, I learned how to code and really put my soldering and 3D modeling skills to the test. Not to mention it was a super fun experience as I got to make something from start to finish. I believe no matter what your interests are, everyone should participate in a science fair big or small! |
2021 (Virtual)
Kai Mottley | Kauai High School (c/o 2022)
Stanford UniversityMechanical Engineering | "Using GIS to locate Native Species’ Habitat and their future Refugia based on SLR-XA (Sea Level Rise Exposure Area)" | Going to ISEF may seem like a daunting task. Like with colleges or significant accomplishments, these may seem like things that only "smart" or "special" people can do. That is not the case. No matter what people have told you, no matter what you have or what you haven't done, you can do anything. The first step is believing in yourself. |
2020 (Virtual)
Aidan Gregerson | Kauai High School (c/o 2022)
Columbia UniversityPhysics | "Reductions in Pacific Hurricane Translation Speed Since 1950, and Relations to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation Cycle." | Beyond the basic concept of the scientist that we often develop very early in our lives, my introduction to proper research through ISEF taught me to truly experience that life, including the day-to-day work ethic, the infinite cycle of trial and error, the ways of approaching presentations, and perhaps most important, the deep interplay between question, theory, and experiment. What resonated most with me was the incredible freedom and excitement that independent research offers, and if I were to give one brief piece of advice for aspiring researchers, it would be this: never stop questioning why our world operates the way that it does. Find topics that you are passionate about and let your questions guide you to new fields, getting more and more fundamental as you continue to ask "why?" In investigating some of the approachable questions among these, you may uncover surprising things, big or small, that lead you "to comprehend a little of this mystery every day," as Einstein put it. |
2019 (Phoenix)
Isabella (Ella) Parsons | Kauai High School (c/o 2022)
Vanderbilt UniversityPsychology | "Investigating the Effect of the Removal of the Red Mangrove Trees on the Ecosystem of Kaua`i" | Going to ISEF was one of the most formative experiences of my high school career. I learned a lot about environmental field sciences, data collection, entry, analysis, and professional presentation of findings. Arguably more important is what I learned by proxy of my project. Everything from time management to handling stress, to attaching a 36 x 48 inch sheet to a trifold board with extremely sticky spray adhesive. I grew in my social skills and met many friendly and innovative young people from across the globe, many of whom I still keep in contact with today. I am extremely grateful to the community of caretakers of the ‘Alekoko Fishpond’, specifically Peleke Flores, Sara Bowen, and Carl Berg for all their help and for teaching me the cultural, historical, and environmental significance of the fishpond. Last but most definitely not least, a huge mahalo to Mr. Daniel Matthews for mentoring me through this journey and supporting me from brainstorming project ideas to accompanying me to ISEF. Looking back on my ISEF experience, I believe it was an opportunity of a lifetime that not only opened doors but helped me grow into the person I am today. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out, my email is ellagrace210@gmail.com |
2016 (Phoenix)Matthew Nishimoto | Kauai High School (C/O 2016)
Washington State UniversityComputational Neuroscience, BS
University of KansasBioengineering, PhD Candidate
| "Fungicidal properties of Pseudomonas aeruginosa" | I am appreciative for the experiences that I gained from the Kauai Regional Science and Engineering Fairs. The final entry that I submitted in my senior year was a particularly impactful experience for me. It introduced me to the vastness of science by allowing me to attend the 2016 International Science and Engineering fair in Phoenix, Arizona. My project was fairly small in both scope and design (it was conceived and conducted in one of the storerooms of my dad’s clinic). Meeting students from across the world presenting their research on topics ranging from battery development to tau protein phosphorylation made me feel more self-conscious of my project. But I eventually realized that my research was specifically chosen both for its content and scientific rigor and that it was deemed comparable to projects being presented by some of the most prestigious young researchers in the world. I discovered that sound research and an adherence to the scientific method will bring you far in the research world. I was inspired to start a career in research. Never in my life as a student at Kauai High would I have imagined completing a PhD that includes the integration of theoretical math and neuroscience to develop models of diseased brain states. It would have been impossible if not for my experiences through the Kauai Regional Science and Engineering Fairs. |