Stay Connected!
Please contact us if you have any questions, or to learn more about our program. We are interested in your feedback and input to better serve your needs. For all inquiries, please contact the following email address—we will make sure one of our knowledgeable staff will get back to you.
| info@pacioos.org | |
| 808.956.6556 | |
| 1680 East-West Road, POST 815 Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96822 |
Meet the PacIOOS Team
Melissa Iwamoto
Director and Principal InvestigatorMelissa oversees the execution of PacIOOS, collaborating with staff, partners, and users to advance our strategic goals across the region.
Jordan Watson
Deputy DirectorJordan manages the operation and growth of data, outreach, and observing system components within PacIOOS.
Chip Young
Operations CoordinatorChip supports PacIOOS operations through coordinating the implementation of ocean monitoring projects across the Pacific Islands region.
Meagan Curtis Hattori
Engagement CoordinatorMeagan coordinates engagement and public relations activities for stakeholders, partners, and users across the Pacific Islands region.
Nicole Guiles
Data and Program AssistantNicole assists with data tracking and program implementation involved with the various projects under the PacIOOS program.
Yi-Leng Chen
Co-Investigator: Atmospheric ModelingYi-Leng oversees the improvements and maintenance of the atmospheric forecasting system.
Kwok Fai Cheung
Co-Investigator: Wave ModelingFai oversees the enhancement and maintenance of the wave forecasting system.
Steve Colbert
Co-Investigator: Water Quality BuoysSteve manages the water quality buoys on Hawai’i Island and collaborates with other PacIOOS projects.
Pierre Flament
Co-Investigator: High Frequency RadarsPierre leads the development and installation of High Frequency Radar instrumentation to collect surface currents in real-time.
Kim Holland
Co-Investigator: Animal TelemetryKim leads the "Sharks as Oceanographers" program and collaborates on other telemetry projects.
Melanie Hutchinson
Co-Investigator: Animal Telemetry and Acoustic DataMelanie develops the Pacific Islands Region Acoustic Telemetry Network and leads tagging efforts of the Hawai‘i Community Tagging Program.
Douglas Luther
Co-Investigator: Coastal ModelingDoug's group develops and validates models for short- and long-term forecasts of wave-driven run-up, coastal flooding and harbor surges.
Margaret A. McManus
Co-Investigator: Wave Buoys and Nearshore SensorsMargaret supervises staff and students, and oversees activities and budgets for the Wave Buoy and Nearshore Sensor Groups.
Carl Meyer
Co-Investigator: Animal TelemetryCarl leads the regional animal telemetry capacity building initiative and collaborates on the “Sharks as Oceanographers” tagging program.
Jim Potemra
Co-Investigator: Data ManagementJim leads the Data Management team, oversees PacIOOS' data infrastructure, and ensures data quality standards are met.
Brian Powell
Co-Investigator: Ocean Circulation ModelingBrian oversees staff and students to enhance and expand the ocean modeling forecasting system, and to develop new biogeochemistry models.
Kelley Anderson Tagarino
American Samoa LiaisonKelley serves as the liaison for American Samoa, engages with local stakeholders, and maintains the water quality nearshore sensor.
Assaf Azouri
Physical Oceanographic Research SpecialistAssaf conducts coastal wave modeling and validation to create and maintain harbor surge, wave run-up, and inundation forecasts.
Belinda Baird
Guam LiaisonBelinda serves as PacIOOS liaison to Guam, assisting with local engagement, as well as implementation of programs and instrumentation.
Laura Biggs
Guam Technical SupportLaura oversees the operational support of the PacIOOS water quality sensor in Pago Bay, Guam.
Sarah Bingo
Biological Data SpecialistSarah identifies, manipulates, and ingests regional biological datasets into national database standards to meet program objectives.
Solimar Carrasquillo Ho
PIRAT Graduate AssistantSolimar assists with the management of the PIRAT database, and installs and maintains marine acoustic telemetry equipment.
Peter Felicijan
Oceanographic Technician AssistantPeter performs daily sensor checks, sensor maintenance, and assists in deployments for PacIOOS' Nearshore Sensor Group.
Ian Quino Fernandez
HF Radar TechnicianIan supports the maintenance, operation, and calibration of high-frequency radar systems throughout the PacIOOS region.
Spencer Frawley
Marine Buoy TechnicianSpencer coordinates and performs routine maintenance on both the Hilo and Kawaihae water quality buoys located on Hawai‘i Island.
Tobias Friedrich
Ocean Model Research ScientistTobias oversees the ocean modeling forecast system and researches ways to predict the ocean, its ecosystem and carbon cycle around Hawai‘i.
Sonja Giardina
Undergraduate Research AssistantSonja works on machine learning techniques for predicting stream outflow.
Robbie Greene
CNMI LiaisonRobbie serves as PacIOOS liaison to the CNMI, assisting with local engagement, as well as implementation of programs and instrumentation.
Julie Hartup
Guam LiaisonJulie serves as PacIOOS liaison to Guam, assisting with local engagement, as well as implementation of programs and instrumentation.
Olivia Hughes
Oceanographic TechnicianOlivia performs wave buoy maintenance at the lab, assists with wave buoy deployments/recoveries, and analyzes Hawai‘i wave buoy data.
Feng Hsiao
Post-doctoral ResearcherFeng maintains, improves, and validates PacIOOS' real-time atmospheric forecasts under the supervision of Dr. Yi-Leng Chen.
Diego Johansen
Water Quality Buoy TechnicianDiego coordinates and performs routine maintenance on both the Hilo and Kawaihae water quality buoys located on Hawai'i Island.
Eugene Joseph
FSM LiaisonJerry serves as PacIOOS liaison in the FSM, assisting with stakeholder engagement and maintaining instrumentation on Pohnpei.
Lauren Kaiser
Data Management SpecialistLauren supports technical operations of the data services run by PacIOOS to implement the Regional Ocean Data Sharing Initiative (RODSI).
Ning Li
Ocean Wave Model Systems SpecialistDr. Ning Li maintains and enhances the operational wave forecast system to provide daily 7-day forecasts for Pacific Island communities.
John Maurer
Data System EngineerJohn develops front and back end solutions, from data visualization and access tools on our website to managing data servers and data sets.
Andrew McInnis
Coastal Resource Extension SpecialistAndrew supports the Backyard Buoys project and maintains wave and water quality sensors in The Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Maria McKee
Water Quality Buoy TechnicianMaria coordinates and performs routine maintenance on both the Hilo and Pelekane water quality buoys located on Hawai'i Island.
Fatima-Zahra Mihami
Physical Oceanographic Modeling SpecialistFatima-Zahra develops coastal wave models to be used for inundation mapping and wave run-up forecasts.
Jason Miller
Guam Technical SupportJason conducts on-water operations on Guam with the PacIOOS Nearshore Sensor Group and the PacIOOS Wave Buoy program.
Kimball Millikan
Marine Research EngineerKimball manages the operations of the PacIOOS Wave Buoy program, including new deployments, buoy maintenance, and boat operations.
Philip Moravcik
Instrument TechnicianPhilip assists with the installation and maintenance of high-frequency radar systems.
Eileen Nalley
Ocean and Coastal Ecosystem Health SpecialistEileen supports ciguatera research in Hawai'i & US-affiliated Pacific Islands as part of the National Harmful Algal Bloom Observing Network.
Marcos Nobre
Full Stack DeveloperMarcos develops front and back end components for project websites, including interactive products for ocean and coastal decision-making.
Sharon Patris
Palau LiaisonSharon assists with community engagement, and manages instrumentation in Palau.
Andreia Queima
Oceanographic TechnicianAndreia supports wave buoy operations, including device maintenance, mooring design/fabrication, logistics, and field operations.
Jerry Route
FSM LiaisonJerry serves as PacIOOS liaison in the FSM, assisting with stakeholder engagement and maintaining instrumentation on Pohnpei.
Becky Skeele
CNMI LiaisonBecky supports the PacIOOS liaison in the CNMI, assisting with stakeholder engagement and other local coordination.
Trey Summers
Oceanographic Technician AssistantTrey performs daily sensor checks, sensor maintenance, and assists in deployments for PacIOOS' Nearshore Sensor Group.
Tom TinHan
Acoustic Telemetry Node ManagerTom develops and manages the Pacific Islands Region Acoustic Telemetry (PIRAT) Network and supports regional acoustic telemetry projects.
Camilla Tognacchini
Graduate StudentCamilla is a graduate student in physical oceanography, collecting observational data to enhance wave run-up and inundation forecasts.
Gerda Ucharm
Palau LiaisonGerda assists with community engagement and communication in Palau.
Shaun Wriston
Oceanographic TechnicianShaun manages a suite of sensors and data for the Nearshore Sensor Group and Water Quality Sensor Partnership Program.
In Memoriam
Martin Guiles
Physical Oceanographic Research ScientistSince acquiring his Ph.D. in 2009, Dr. Martin Guiles (1970-2023) was the lead Researcher in the Coastal Hazards Group within PacIOOS. In great measure, Martin was responsible for that group’s success in developing wave run-up and inundation forecast products for many Hawaiian and Pacific Island coastlines, addressing user requests for more actionable information. Martin’s curiosity for all things scientific is legend. His expansive knowledge, and ubiquitous wit, smile and laughter made him an especially valuable collaborator and endearing friend.
