As Tanner Johnson prepares to receive his master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s College of Natural Sciences this spring, he’s reflecting on an academic journey shaped by both UH West O‘ahu and UH Mānoa—and the support of faculty at each campus.
Originally from Makakilo and a graduate of Kapolei High School, Johnson began his college education at UH West O‘ahu in 2016. He chose UH West O‘ahu to stay close to his family, and it was there that he found his path in mathematics.
“I wasn’t entirely sure what I would study when I started,” Johnson said. “But I’ve always enjoyed academia, and math was something I was decent at. When I learned they were developing math degrees, it caught my attention.”
Johnson double majored in humanities and natural science with concentrations in mathematics, earning both degrees in 2021 during the pandemic.
From there, he went on to UH Mānoa to pursue a master’s degree under the guidance of Associate Professor and Associate Chair Sarah Post. His thesis focused on the mathematical models related to particle spin in quantum mechanics—work that bridges mathematics and physics.
“My project looked at how certain systems of math relate to the spin of particles, especially in quantum mechanics,” Johnson explained. “It’s fascinating how math can model the ways particles interact and how their spin behaves.”
Johnson successfully defended his thesis and will graduate on May 17.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Tanner and to watch him develop his mathematical maturity,” Post said. “He has conquered challenging new topics and you can see his confidence grow, as was well evidenced in his MA presentation. He has truly been a welcome presence around the department.”
Looking ahead, Johnson hopes to stay close to home and give back to the academic community. He’s interested in pursuing a lecturer position and eventually supporting other Hawai‘i students on their own educational paths.
“I want to help students see that math isn’t just a box to check—it’s something they can use and apply,” he said. “I’ve been exploring ways to incorporate place-based learning, Hawaiian culture and pedagogy into math lessons.”
His professors at both campuses say his story represents the best of what the UH System can offer when campuses work in tandem.
“I first met Tanner in fall 2019 when he was taking Math 245 Multivariable Calculus,” UH West O‘ahu Professor Esther Widiasih said. “His work ethics and consistency stood out throughout the following semesters when he took other courses with me. Tanner showed a great potential for teaching and mentoring his peers when he was helping me in being a peer leader in Math 245, only a year after he finished that course. I hope that after finishing his master’s program, he can come back and teach at UH West O‘ahu. He will be a great example of a homegrown math instructor.”
Widiasih said that while Johnson was at UH West O‘ahu, he worked with her on a summer research project adapting a dissolved oxygen model for the Mokauea fishpond, which later became the foundation of his capstone.
Johnson encourages future students to lean on their communities and stay motivated.
“Math is something that benefits from collaboration,” he said. “You need that self-drive, especially in graduate school, but you also need to be willing to ask for help—from peers, from professors. That sense of community is key.”
He added, “I don’t think I would’ve succeeded without the relationships I built at both campuses.”
Article, by Marc Arakaki, originally posted to UH News on May 13, 2025.