Native Science Report recently published a paper by University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu students Diana Le and Pashyn Morimoto, along with faculty advisor Dr. Bradley O. Ashburn, as part of its annual Student Research Showcase.
Native Science Report is a website that explores the role of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in tribal and Native communities across North America. It sponsors an annual Student Research Showcase to highlight and support undergraduate research, an important part of the STEM curriculum within many tribal and Native-serving colleges, according to the site.
From the 2019-2020 academic year, only about a handful of submissions were chosen for publication, including the trio’s paper, “Lipophilicity Determination of Energy-Enhancing, Nootropic Supplements.” (Native Science Report also published a research paper by UH West Oʻahu student Sydney Millerd a few months ago.)
“Energy and cognitive enhancement supplements are a multibillion-dollar, unregulated industry where manufacturers typically make bold claims about their products effectiveness,” explained Ashburn, assistant professor of Chemistry. “This research modeled the absorption of two new supplements, Theacrine and Dynamine, with caffeine to allow for unbiased comparison of their chemical properties.”
Le and Morimoto were student researchers in Ashburn’s group for Fall 2019 through Spring 2020.
“I was ecstatic to hear that our article was selected to be a part of the Native Science Report’s showcase,” said Morimoto, a Kamehameha Schools Kapālama graduate whose current interest is focused on chronic diseases and preventative healthcare. “I am extremely thankful for the opportunity and it motivates me to push harder and strive further.”
Le said she feels honored to have their article featured in the annual Student Research Showcase.
“I hope our hard work will be shared with fellow peers and bring inspiration to others,” said Le, who is majoring in health professions with a focus in pre-physician assistant.
Le was previously an organic chemistry student of Ashburn’s at Leeward Community College and Morimoto was also an organic chemistry student of his at UH West Oʻahu from Fall 2019 to Spring 2020.
“Working multiple jobs, juggling family commitments, full loads of classes, and then the COVID disruption, Pashyn and Diana excelled through it all,” Ashburn said.
They are both devoted to health and fitness, so this research was inspired by their interests and executed fully by their own hands, he said.
“Being a part of their journey has been a joy — celebrating the excitement of their research successes, supporting them during the inevitable roadblocks, and witnessing their transformation into confident STEM scholars whose goals keep getting bigger and bigger,” Ashburn said.
The group’s research project was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), and IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE).
“On a side note, the logo for this Biomedical Research Program (Hawaii INBRE) was designed by Diana in a statewide contest held last year,” Ashburn noted. “She is not only a fantastic STEM scholar, but also loves graphic design and art.”
