IMG_5C7FED40B3E1-1.jpeg

Sarah Woo

Outreach & Research Associate

My Research

I am interested in research that provides insight into how we can improve our relationship with marine ecosystems. My previous work has focused on the effect of heat stress on coral development during early life stages, and I am currently working on how to apply ways within current research projects that address some of the root problems as to why coral ecosystems are struggling. In addition to being out on Moku o Lo’e at our lab, I love that I also get to keep my hands dirty and go learn from other organizations doing related restoration work both on land and in the water. I believe that engaging local communities with restoration efforts and climate issues will help foster stewardship over taking care of Hawaiʻi’s natural resources, and am excited to keep learning how our lab’s research fits into the bigger picture.

Education and Experience

BA  - Pitzer College, Marine Science & Policy Communication, 2021                                          

Current Projects

  • Restore With Resilience research & Hana Pūko’a outreach events

    • Kāne’ohe Bay coral restoration research on analyzing tradeoffs throughout the restoration process between growing corals in the lab’s tanks and nursery tables in the bay

    • 3D model making of coral fragments ("fraggrammetry")

    • Hana Pūko’a community workdays to participate in RWR research

  • Encouraging Visitors to Mālama I Ke Kai program with the Kahala Hotel & Resort

    • Weekly Keiki Art ocean-themed art classes with environmental stewardship concepts (free for all kama’āina with validated parking, Wednesday 3:30pm- 5:30pm)

    • Weekly touch tank “talk story” and coral education pop-up events with live invertebrates and coral learning games (Friday 10am-noon)

    • Monthly “Sunset Seminar Series” where local students and researchers present on their work and how it supports Hawaiʻi’s environment and people. Free parking, pupus, beverages; open to the public.

  • Develop partnerships with environmental and cultural non-profit organizations

  • Tracking juvenile coral growth over time for corals exposed to heat treatments