Through a grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation we will be studying the function of microbiota (fungi and bacteria) across the Waimea watershed on the North Shore of O'ahu.

Microbiome centers like C-MĀIKI are on the rise across the U.S.! Read all about these academic hubs of microbiome-related research and the organization of the Microbiome Centers Consortium in this commentary published in Nature, featuring Director of C-MĀIKI Nicole Hynson and C-MĀIKI Advisor Margaret McFall-Ngai as authors. Cover image credit: Steve Gschmeissner/SPL

We are excited to restart the M4 seminar series (now entitled Māiki Mānoa Microbiome Meeting) this spring. This semester, the M4 seminar series will convene weekly on Wednesdays at 12PM in St. John 11. Date Speaker Unit/Institution Title 2/8/23 Dr. Matthew CI Medeiros PBRC/UH-Manoa Interdomain interactions in the mosquito microbiome 2/15/23 ​ ​ ​ 2/22/23 Dr. Seth Bordenstein Penn State University A Great Pandemic Reformulated as a Vector Control Tool: Genes, Mechanisms, and Implications 3/1/23 Dr. Nicola Kriefall PBRC/UH-Manoa Environmental structuring of the coral holobiont 3/8/23 Dr. Carmella Vizza Natural Sciences/Hawaiʻi Pacific University A biogeochemist's journey from Alaska to the Midwest to Hawaiʻi 3/15/23 ​ ​ ​ 3/22/23 ​ ​ ​ 3/29/23 Dr. Matthew J Medeiros PBRC/UH-Manoa TBA 4/5/23 Dr. Nancy Keller University of Wisconsin Language and Neighborhood Arrangements of BFFs (Bacterial-Fungal Frenemies) 4/12/23 Dr. Nicole Hynson PBRC/UH-Manoa From the enlightenment to the progressive era: what western history can teach us about the current state of microbiome science 4/19/23 Dr. Joanne Yew PBRC/UH-Manoa Microbial character shapes biological destiny 4/26/23 Dr. Olivia Nigro Natural Sciences/Hawaiʻi Pacific University TBA 5/3/23 ​ ​ ​

In February we welcomed the External Advisory Committee for the NIH COBRE: Integrative Center for Environmental Microbiomes and Human Health (ICEMHH). C-MĀIKI cooperating faculty involved in the Center presented their amazing research to leaders in the field of microbiome research.

A big congrats to C-MĀIKI faculty members Anthony Amend, Nicole Hynson, Craig Nelson and Alika Maunakea on their promotions to Full Professors, as well as faculty members Birendra Mishra and Peter Sadowski on their tenures and promotions!

C-MĀIKI wrapped up 2023 with our first in-person symposium since pre-pandemic! On December 14, 2023, C-MĀIKI faculty and students presented their microbiome research at the John M. Young Museum of Art here on the UH Mānoa campus. The event began with opening remarks from UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno, a message from C-MĀIKI Director Dr. Nicole Hynson, and a keynote address by Dr. Jennifer Martiny (UC Irvine, Director of the Microbiome Centers Consortium). Eighteen posters were shared, reflecting the diversity of microbiomes studied within C-MĀIKI. It was a wonderful afternoon of science and connection, and we look forward to the next one!

Drs. Nicole Hynson and Joerg Graf attended the 3rd Microbiome Centers Consortium meeting at the Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences & Engineering in Irvine, CA. This meeting brought together directors from over 25 microbiome centers across the U.S. to strategize and synergize microbiome related initiatives.