UH Maui College STEM students present their research projects at national conference

Three University of Hawaiʻi Maui College PKII (Project Kaihuwa‘a II) student scholars presented their research projects at the 2026 SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) National Diversity in STEM Conference held last month in Long Beach, California. The conference brought together more than 1,600 participants from across the STEM community. 

Biology major Lillian Burkhart’s research project – Comparative Effectiveness of Disinfectant Wipes and Ultraviolet Treatment for Hospital Shoe Decontamination – focused on cleaning and disinfecting shoes worn by healthcare workers. She compared different methods, including disinfectant wipes, bleach, and sunlight exposure or ultraviolet treatment, to determine how effectively they reduce microbial contamination.

Biology major Jillian Diego’s research project – Investigating the Prevalence of Wolbachia in Blattella germanica from Maui, Hawaiʻi Through Molecular Analysis – investigated the presence of Wolbachia bacteria in German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) collected on Maui. She used DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques to analyze the samples.

Computer Science and Technology student Vivian Breman’s research project – Student-Built Portable Ground Station for Satellite Communications and Weather Imaging – focused on building a portable ground station to receive and decode weather satellite signals over Hawaiʻi. The project successfully received satellite data and produced an image of the Hawaiian Islands. Future work may include further development of the system and exploring communication opportunities involving the International Space Station.

“All three of our students’ projects were very well received. I believe these unique research projects represent the talents and potential of the next generation of scientists on Maui,” says Dr. Rai. “What all three of these students and more scholars like them share is a passion for learning, for exploring new areas of science, for a willingness to venture outside their comfort zones, and a dedication to solving real-world problems here on Maui.”

PKII project mentors Dr. Jung Park, Dr. Michelle Phillips, and Ms. Michelle Gould attended the conference to provide guidance and support. Professor Sean Calder, PKII Program Supervisor, also participated to observe student progress and evaluate program outcomes. 
Project Kaihuwaʻa II (PKII) is a $2.6 million scholarship program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program. Dr. Buddhi Rai, Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, serves as the Principal Investigator and Program Director of the PKII.

The PKII project title is Uniting Culture, Purpose, Connection, and the Academic Journey to Advance Hawaii’s Low-Income Undergraduate Students in STEM. Dr. Rai currently leads a team of faculty mentors and staff supporting approximately 60 student scholarship recipients, including more than 10 research interns and peer mentors during the Fall 2026 semester.  

For more information about SACNAS, visit the organization’s website.