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.
Mia Comeros
Deputy DirectorMia supports integration across PacIOOS teams and partners, connecting ocean observing, data, and decision-support efforts.
Ali Chene
Communications & Education CoordinatorAli works to enhance understanding of ocean data through place-based education and storytelling initiatives.
Meagan Curtis Hattori
Engagement CoordinatorMeagan coordinates engagement and public relations activities for stakeholders, partners, and users across the Pacific Islands region.
Nicole Guiles
Communications SpecialistNicole works to improve PacIOOSʻ communication strategies with stakeholders, partners, and users in the U.S. and Pacific Islands.
Chip Young
Operations CoordinatorChip supports PacIOOS operations through coordinating the implementation of ocean monitoring projects across the Pacific Islands region.
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.
Atsushi Fujimura
Co-Investigator: GuamAtsushi oversees ocean observations around Guam and the wider region.
Kim Holland
Co-Investigator: Animal TelemetryKim leads the "Sharks as Oceanographers" program and collaborates on other telemetry projects.
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.
Sarah Bingo
Biological Data SpecialistSarah identifies, manipulates, and ingests regional biological datasets into national database standards to meet program objectives.
Voneric Boktok
RMI LiaisonVoneric serves as the PacIOOS liaison in RMI, assisting with local engagement, as well as implementation of programs and instrumentation.
Edward Cardona
Shark Research CoordinatorEdward designs and tests shark deterrent devices in the Holland Lab, deploys tags, and collects oceanographic data from free-swimming sharks
Ginger Carter
Guam LiaisonGinger coordinates logistics, admin, safety, and fieldwork to support ocean research, conservation efforts, and youth education programs.
Cameron Chuss
Graduate Research AssistantCameron works to develop high resolution real-time atmospheric forecasts for the Western Pacific.
Ian Quino Fernandez
HF Radar TechnicianIan supports the maintenance, operation, and calibration of high-frequency radar systems throughout the PacIOOS region.
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.
Lucia Hosekova
Physical Oceanographic Research ScientistLucia works to improve short and long-term predictions of wave nearshore dynamics and coastal inundation in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands
Olivia Hughes
Wave Buoy SpecialistOlivia coordinates and supports wave buoy field operations, logistics, mooring design/fabrication, and device maintenance.
Lauren Kaiser
Data Management SpecialistLauren supports technical operations of the data services run by PacIOOS to implement the Regional Ocean Data Sharing Initiative (RODSI).
Cassandra Koby
Water Quality Buoy TechnicianCassandra maintains and troubleshoots coastal water-quality buoys off Hawaiʻi Island through field operations and data collection.
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.
Spencer Luther
CIMAR/WaveCPR Webmaster & Web DeveloperSpencer manages the CIMAR and WaveCPR webpages, ensuring up-to-date content and functionality for both visitors and staff.
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.
Jasmine Mendiola
FSM LiaisonJasmine supports PacIOOS in the FSM by working with the Conservation Society of Pohnpei in community engagement and project implementation.
Fatima-Zahra Mihami
Physical Oceanographic Modeling SpecialistFatima-Zahra develops coastal wave models to be used for inundation mapping and wave run-up forecasts.
Abby Moeras
Water Quality Buoy AssistantAbby assists with routine maintenance of water quality buoys located on Hawaiʻi Island.
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.
Tien Manh Nguyen
Atmospheric Science Graduate StudentTien Manh works on data assimilation to improve initial conditions in regional weather models and helps with real-time atmospheric forecasts
Marcos Nobre
Full Stack DeveloperMarcos develops front and back end components for project websites, including interactive products for ocean and coastal decision-making.
Chris Olson
Data and Products DeveloperChris develops data products and services for PacIOOS as part of the Regional Ocean Data Sharing Initiative (RODSI).
Kate O’Malley
Graduate Research AssistantKate assists research on wave dynamics and coastal inundation to improve forecasts for Hawaiʻi and Pacific Island communities.
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.
Johanna Saavedra
HFR Radar TechnicianJohanna supports data processing and management, and assists with the maintenance of high-frequency radar systems.
Becky Skeele
CNMI LiaisonBecky supports the PacIOOS liaison in the CNMI, assisting with stakeholder engagement and other local coordination.
Erin Smith
Water Quality Buoy AssistantErin assists with routine maintenance on water quality buoys in Hilo and Kawaihae located on Hawaiʻi Island.
Mingpo Tao
Graduate Research AssistantMingpo's research focuses on downscaling studies in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
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.
Ethan Ward
Water Quality Buoy TechnicianEthan performs routine maintenance on the Hilo and Kawaihae water quality buoys located on Hawaiʻi Island.
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 Scientist1970 – 2023
Since acquiring his Ph.D. in 2009, Dr. Martin Guiles 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.
