Hawaii Student Chapter ASM 2011-2012

Microbiology Movie Night

2011-10-27T09:49:00.003-10:00

Aloha!

We are hosting a microbiology movie night! Come join us.

Your 2011-2012 Treasurer

2011-07-01T13:08:00.001-10:00

Please join me in welcoming Amanda Pires to the 2011-2012 SCASM board. She will be serving as treasurer. Thanks Amanda!

Your 2011-2012 Secreatary

2011-06-09T09:08:00.002-10:00

I am pleased to welcome Hsin-I Tong to the 2011-2012 SCASM board as secretary. She is a PhD candidate in the Microbiology Department at UH Manoa. I look forward to working with her this year.

Kelsey

The changing of the guard

2011-06-06T10:00:00.003-10:00

Welcome to the 2011-2012 season of SCASM!

I am pleased to be your SCASM president for this term, and am looking forward to working for you this year. I am also pleased to introduce your 2011-2012 vice president, Mary Margaret Byron, a masters student in the pubic health department. I am excited to have her on board and look forward to working with her.

However, that only makes two board members! If anyone is interested in helping us out this year, we are looking at least two other students in a microbiology related field to join us on the board. Please e-mail me if you are interested or have any questions as to what this would entail (hawaiiasm@gmail.com).

Kelsey Roe

2011 Spring Meeting - Treetops

2011-04-27T13:47:00.005-10:00

Dear all,

Here are the photos we captured during the meeting...

We had a great time! Special thanks to the SCASM board members, especially Nelson, Kelsey and Phoebe, for all of the hard work. Also, thanks to the Hilo group for making the effort. It was great to hear and see what you are working on. Dr. Jarvi's talk was very enjoyable.

Congratulations to all of the student award winners:

Oral Ph.D. Category:

1st Place, Mukesh Kumar, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology

Role of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in West Nile virus (WNV)-induced neuroinflammation

2nd Place, Esther Volper, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology

Early Detection and Rapid Diagnosis of Dengue Virus Infection: Development of Luminex Platform-Based Microsphere Bead Assays

3rd Place,

Ying Huang, Department of Zoology

Bacterial genes and larval settlement of the tube worm Hydroides elegans

Oral M.S. Category:

1st Place,

Nelson Lazaga, Department of Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering

Archetype human polyomavirus JC (JCV) replicates in primary human brain microvascular endothelial (HBMVE) cells

2nd Place, Kelsey Roe, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology

In vivo WNV infection modulates the markers of blood-brain barrier integrity

3rd Place,

Hsin-I Tong, Department of Microbiology

Development of enhanced detection of human norovirus and adenovirus in Hawaiian recreational waters

Poster Ph.D. Category:

1st Place, Sody Munsaka, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology
Cannabinoid receptor expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV subjects and marijuana users by flow cytometry

2nd Place, Yeung Tutterrow, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology
Early production of high avidity antibodies to full-length VAR2CSA during pregnancy correlates with absence of placental malaria

Poster M.S. Category:

1st Place,
June Lee, Department of Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering
Defective lentiviral vector mediated expression of a potential neuroprotective gene in primary mouse bone marrow monocyte cultures
2nd Place,
Jannai Yafuso, Department of Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering
Expression of genes for Mimosine biosynthesis in E. coli
Travel Awards: Mukesh Kumar, Nelson Lazaga and Kelsey Roe

Undergraduate Essay Contest Winner: Chihui Jun; HIV and its Eradication

Also, thanks to all of the abstract reviewers and presentation judges:

Audrey Asahina,
Sandy Chang,
Moti Champagain,
Beth-Ann Collier, Paul Fox,
William Gosnell,
Susan Jarvi,
Pakieli Kaufusi,
Hongwei Li,
Michael Lieberman,
DeWolfe Miller,
Paul Patek,
Audrey Thevenon,
Saguna Verma,
Richard Yanagihara

Please welcome the new SCASM President, Kelsey Roe. I know she will do exceptional work this year. As for me, it's been a great pleasure serving as SCASM President for the 2010-2011 term. I'll graduate this year but look forward to getting involved as a full-member in the future.

Aloha,
James

2011-03-11T13:02:00.008-10:00

2011 Spring Meeting Announcement!

Dear HI-ASM Students and Members,

We are planning for a great Spring meeting and will soon announce who will give the keynote address. In the meantime, please send in your registration forms and submit your abstracts (each can be found on the links to the right).

This year, we will have both oral and poster presentations from M.S., Ph.D. and other students; and undergraduates will be competing in an essay contest for cash awards as well. We hope to have a great turnout! See you soon and stay tuned for further announcements.

February Pau Hana and Undergrad Award Contest

2011-02-07T13:59:00.003-10:00

We are hosting our next Pau Hana at the end of February...don't miss it! Also check out details of our first undergraduate award contest.

Welcome Undergrads

2011-02-03T21:01:00.007-10:00

Thanks to all who visited the SCASM information table at the campus center last week! We enjoyed chatting with you. Below are some of the photos taken during the last gathering of 2010 at the Kakaako Waterfront Park.

We are planning for our annual Spring meeting to be held April 23rd at Treetops restaurant in Manoa. Please stay tuned for more information about how you can get involved and also win some great prizes. See you soon!

Student Involvement January 28th UHM Campus Center

2011-01-28T10:07:00.003-10:00

Please join us at the Campus Center on Friday, January 28 from 10-2. We will promote the April Spring ASM meeting and share information to undergraduate UHM students about SCASM!

2011-01-07T13:24:00.002-10:00

Hello HI-SCASM fans and welcome back to the Spring 2011 semester. Check out the photos from the Fall 2010 pau hana membership recruitment event at Kakaako park. It was great fun!!!

We have planned many exciting events for this semester so please keep a close eye for announcements. Also, all students involved in research projects, please consider presenting your work at the Spring meeting in April. I hope that you have a great beginning to 2011 Spring semester.

Warm regards,

James

Microbiology Pau Hana

2010-12-07T11:18:00.004-10:00

Hi everyone,

We are hosting a Pua Hana on December 17. Hope you can join us.

Announcements!

2010-11-15T10:11:00.007-10:00

Hi Everyone! I've got a couple of announcements...

1) If you plan on attending the Fall meeting at Fort Shafter, please bring a government issued ID for entry into the military base. Also, if you are driving, you will need to show a driver's license as well as vehicle registration and safety check documents.

2) Also, please see the additional link added to ASM's Career and Employment Connection! It should be an ideal place to seek jobs or recruit microbiologists.

See you Saturday at the meeting!

Aloha

James

the count down begins.

2010-11-10T23:36:00.002-10:00

Mark your calendars.

Fall Meeting Greetings

2010-10-28T21:08:00.002-10:00

Dear Friends,

Above is our promotional Fall 2010 meeting flyer.

Hope to see you there!

2010 Fall Meeting

2010-09-30T11:21:00.018-10:00

Update! - See the Fall 2010 Newsletter!

Also, please join us for the upcoming ASM-sponsored dinner lecture...

Emerging Infectious Diseases: Where do they come from and why?

Stanley Maloy, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology and Dean, College of Sciences, San Diego State University

Fall Meeting Newsletter and Registration Form - download

If you have any questions, please email hawaii.asm@gmail.com

Welcome Aboard!

2010-08-23T18:33:00.012-10:00

Please join me in congratulating Nelson Lazaga of MBBE and Kelsey Roe of TRMD for serving as new student chapter volunteers. We look forward to working together this year!

Keep a close eye to the blog for announcements regarding the upcoming Fall HI ASM meeting.

Aloha,

James

SCASM President 2010-2011

Thank you all!

2010-04-26T12:40:00.005-10:00

Hi everybody,

It's been a pleasure serving the HI ASM Student Chapter from 2008-2010. The president and secretary positions are now available. For nominations or questions please contact hawaii.asm@gmail.com

A few words...

"Thank you everybody for the wonderful times and experiences."
-Kae Pusic (former SCASM president '08-'10)

"Thank you! I really enjoyed being part of the HI ASM family. I definitely would encourage you to join in for the experience."
-Iris Chen (former SCASM secretary 'o8-'10)

Good luck on your future endeavors!

2010 Spring HI ASM Meeting

2010-04-26T12:18:00.002-10:00

Hi everybody,

Here is a recap of our meeting.

Winners of the Student Presentations...

M.S. Category

1st Kelly Higa
2nd Kelsey Roe

Ph.D. Category

1st James Kelley
2nd Vishal Negi
3rd Sody Munsaka and Mukesh Kumar

Honorable mention: Tirrel Grovenstein

Here are the winners of the Hawai'i State Science

Spring Meeting 2010

2010-04-09T14:48:00.007-10:00

Update!
The abstract form for HIASM Spring 2010 Meeting is now available under "SCASM Links" or here.

Abstract Submission Form 10 download
Registration Form 10 download

Abstract Submission Instructions
Please fill out the form and save it to your directory. For submission, please send the filled PDF form to hawaii.asm@gmail.com
Good Luck!

Spring Meeting Registration
Please download the PDF form and follow the instructions.

If you have any questions, please email hawaii.asm@gmail.com

Science Fair Judge Wanted

2010-02-18T11:49:00.002-10:00

The search is on! We are looking for a Science Fair Judge, your duties are to judge high school science fair projects. You need to be available on April 6 to judge and you need to be there to award the winner at 1630 the following day, April 7th.

Please let us know that you are interested. This opportunity is opened until March 1st. We will call off the search as soon as we find our last judge. So don't miss this chance!

James, our treasurer had a great time judging last year's science fair and he will be going again this year. I (Iris) will also go and be a judge. Join us!

Feel free to post here, if you have any questions, or send an email to hawaii.asm@gmail.com

Save the date for Hi-ASM Meeting

2010-02-08T13:21:00.002-10:00

Please save/reserve April 24th 2010 for our Hawaii ASM Meeting for Spring. The location of the meeting will be announced later. SCASM will be organizing this Spring meeting and we definitely would love to have your support with attendance.

Our Treasurer

2009-11-02T09:36:00.002-10:00

Hi Everybody,

We would like to introduce our new Treasurer that will volunteer his time for the HI-ASM Student Chapter... *drum rolls* Please welcome... James Kelley to our team!

James will be collecting the fees for the upcoming Meeting @ 3660 on the Rise...

Become an ASM

member...pay $10 for the local Hawaii Branch membership, so it does not include the National ASM membership. The local Hawaii Branch membership is good for a whole year, so you only pay the membership price for meeting events. $6 dinner @ 3660 on the Rise...

Quick reminder

RSVP by November 6, so please hand in your fees to James before Nov. 6....He will take it up to the main Manoa campus. So don't forget to thank him!

Feel free to post/email if you have any questions on this blog or hawaii.asm@gmail.com

Upcoming Fall 09 Meeting...

2009-10-19T12:57:00.005-10:00

Hi everybody,

We have the Annual Fall Meeting coming up soon. It will be held at 3660 on the Rise again due to last meeting's praises. We have invited a keynote speaker, Dr. Arturo Casadevall from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He will be giving a talk about "New Concepts on Antibody-mediated Immunity."

When: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Where:3660 on the Rise
RSVP: November 6, 2009

Don't miss this meeting, if you missed the last one! The application form is downloadable on the right side under "Links." It is $10 for dinner with student ASM membership. You could also renew your membership with the fee of $6. See you there!

Highlights of HiASM Spring Meeting 2009

2009-04-26T18:31:00.004-10:00

Thank you all for attending our HiASM Spring Meeting 2009. A job well done to the students that presented. Congratulations to the winners in oral presentations. We will notify Travel Award recipients soon.

Here is a recap of the winners...
Ph.D. Category

1st Place Ramya Rajagopalan, Microbiology Department
2nd Place Sody Munsaka, Tropical Medicine Department
3rd Place Esther Volper, Tropical Medicine Department

M.S. Category

1st Place Mukesh Kumar, Tropical Medicine Department
2nd Place Kelly Higa, Microbiology Department
3rd Place Van Luu, Microbiology Department

Travel Award Recipients

Sody Munsaka
Mukesh Kumar
Esther Volper

For those who were not able to make the meeting, here is a brief capture of our meeting.

More General Meeting Information

2009-03-24T14:08:00.009-10:00

Prizes for Oral Presentation at 2009 Spring Meeting...

Prizes will be awarded in two categories:

PhD

1st $250
2nd $200
3rd $150

Masters

1st $250
2nd $200
3rd $150

Three Travel Awards will be awarded...

$500 per Award Recipient

Forms for Abstract submission and Travel Awards can be located under "SCASM Links." Please note deadline is April 17th 2009

HIASM Spring Meeting April 25th 2009

2009-03-10T10:33:00.010-10:00

2009 HIASM Spring Meeting at JABSOM

Here is an opportunity to participate and share your research with ASM. It will be a good experience with a chance to win some prizes.

Don't forget to REGISTER to present ONLY
Here is the instruction for Oral Presentation (DEADLINE: April 17, 2009)

Oral Presentation Instructions

Abstract Preparation

An abstract submission is REQUIRED for oral presentations. Abstracts should be informative and contain the following information:

Title
List of authors and department affiliations
Objectives
Methods (if pertinent)
Results
Conclusions
Impact and Significance

Oral Presentations

Oral presentations are allotted 10 minutes for presentations and 5 minutes for questions/discussion. Presentations should look professional and students are strongly encouraged to rehearse prior to the day of the meeting. Standard MS PowerPoint presentations are strongly recommended, and LCD projectors and computers will be available. Please bring your presentation 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting for download. If you are using a Mac, please double check your presentation on a PC compatible computer for shifting of figures, letters or fonts.

Opportunity for Judging Experience in Science Fair

2009-02-06T15:56:00.004-10:00

The 52nd Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair

Who: Graduate Student (Volunteer) with 2 other ASM Hawaii Branch Officers
What: Represent SCASM as a Judge for science fair projects in the category of microbiology
When: April 6-8 2009
Where: Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall

If interested...please contact Kae Pusic (kae@hawaii.edu)

Student Chapter ASM Meeting Reminder!

2008-11-11T14:40:00.001-10:00

REMINDER!!!
Who: You
What: Student Chapter ASM Meeting
When: November 18th Tuesday 5pm
Where:Campus Center
Why: Brainstorm activities and eat free pizza!

2008 Fall ASM Meeting at 3660 On the Rise

2008-11-03T12:14:00.001-10:00

Thank you for coming to the 2008 Fall ASM Meeting at 3660 On the Rise

We hope everybody enjoyed this meeting with our special guest speaker Dr. Jay K. Kolls...

Here is a little glimpse of the event...

Upcoming November Hawaii ASM Meeting

2008-10-10T14:17:00.004-10:00

Reminder!

Just a friendly reminder for everybody that the November Hawaii ASM Meeting is coming up and the fees are due. Please seek Dr. Lieberman or Dr. Asahina because they are collecting the dues.

There is a link to download the forms under "SCASM Links" on the right panel. You could send the forms to Dr. Lieberman via mail, or drop off your forms at Snyder Hall Room 207 to Dr. Asahina.

Last Date of Collection:
10/27/2008

The Way of a Graduate Student

2008-07-02T15:33:00.002-10:00

Graduate school is not always easy in comparison to being an undergraduate student. The course could vary depending on your background, department, P.I. and area of research. There are a lot of components to juggle in order to survive graduate school. Rules of engagement are never comparable for every student’s experience due to different personalities and interactions. Sometimes it could be difficult due to miscommunication or even lack of communication.
Here are some tips to help with the graduate student way of life.

• Get to know the secretaries of your department and treat them with courtesy and respect.
• Start thinking about your relationships with faculties; keep a good productive relationship if you would like to continue working with them.
• Communication is a key. Set meetings as a routine to communicate expectations so progress, feedback and deadlines are in understanding. Do not only rely on emails as a means of communication.
• Never read between the lines. If you are unsure, take the initiative to ask and clarify any uncertainties.
• Summaries of meetings are a good way of keeping track of where you are at—even though it sounds redundant. Remember, your adviser is just as busy and you need to keep them on track where you are.
• If there are personal problems, never leave without a trace. It could leave to misunderstandings. So, always keep in contact and be responsible.
• Seek help or advice from other faculty members or fellow students in the same department. If there are dissertation issues with your adviser, seek other committee members for help.
• Find some stress reliever exercises to do when your morale is low or not everything is smooth sailing.
• When problems need to be addressed and cannot be resolved by yourself you can find help at the Office of Dean of Graduate Studies or Ombuds at UH Manoa.