UH Hilo Press Release
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Date: Friday, September 19, 2003
Contact: Dr. Christopher Lu, (808) 974-7707
For Immediate Release
UH Hilo and USGS enter into Master Cooperative Agreement
The University of Hawaii at Hilo . has entered into a master cooperative agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (PIERC) to jointly develop research, monitoring, and educational partnerships with UH Hilo and its students.
The five-year agreement will serve as a vehicle for both parties to establish a Hawai`i Cooperative Studies Unit at the University to administer cooperative scientific research, educational development, and technological collaboration through improved conservation and management of natural systems, with a specific focus on Hawai`i, other Pacific islands and similar ecological areas elsewhere. The agreement is viewed as a natural fit since the UH Hilo strategic plan converges with the PIERC mission and mandate, as evidenced by existing joint initiatives between the two parties.
“Partnerships with various federal, state, county and private interests have enabled us to expand not only in size but in the fulfillment of our educational and research activities,” said Dr. Christoper Lu, vice chancellor for academic affairs. “USGS has been an important partner and this agreement will enable us to build on the professional relationship we’ve developed. We look forward to working closely with David Helweg, who will serve as the PIERC point person responsible for technical cooperation.”
PIERC scientists are currently working with UH Hilo geneticists on research related to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Biocomplexity program. UH Hilo has also received an NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) grant for scientific infrastructure development, some of which will provide a lasting contribution to the genetics research essential to PIERC’s mission, and which PIERC has written a letter of support to provide laboratory space and field mentoring.
In addition to enhancing collaborative efforts already underway, the agreement is expected to promote further joint initiatives between the two parties.
The Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (PACRC), under Interim Director Kevin Hopkins and Interim Assistant Director Sharon Ziegler-Chong, is currently developing research facilities in which some PIERC scientists may reside. Additionally, existing UH Hilo programs such as the Hawaiian Internship and Micronesian Student Internship Programs, administered through PACRC, provide direct linkage to native Hawaiian and Pacific Island students in natural sciences in Hawai`i and their home countries where PIERC is mandated to work.
UH Hilo is scheduled to implement a master’s degree in conservation science in 2004, which would provide additional opportunities for collaboration between USGS and UH Hilo. Moreover, the Agricultural Research Services and the Forest Service of the USDA agencies, with whom PIERC routinely interacts, are developing laboratory and office complexes on the UH Hilo campus.
“I think this agreement illustrates the great research opportunities that exist between the University and USGS by pooling our respective resources,” Lu said. “Each party brings something different to the table, and when you put it all together you can’t help but get excited over the possibilities.”
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