Aloha! I'm Sherril
My interests include working at the juxtaposition of scientific inquiry, marine science education, applied science, marine conservation and management, and community involvement. I believe that collaboration, respect for different ways of knowing and learning, education, and exchange are the keys to effective resource management. These collaborative and inter-disciplinary practices are increasingly important as burgeoning environmental stresses accelerate the need for comprehensive research and management plans that promote and establish resilient communities.
Sherril Leon Soon
HIMARC Research Program Manager
Donovan Lab - Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology
School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
Phone:
(808) 236-7401
Fax:
(808) 236-74435
Email:
Address:
Main Campus Location:
Biomedical Sciences (BIOMD) T415
1960 East-West Road
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Honolulu, HI 96822 USA
EDUCATION
2017
Ph.D
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT MĀNOA; Honolulu, HI
Dissertation Title: Biophysical Interactions: Influence of Water Flow on Nutrient Uptake by Marine Algae
2006
B.S.
FLORIDA A & M UNIVERSITY; Tallahassee, FL
Senior Thesis Title: Phytoplankton Production and Bacterial Consumption of Light-mediated DOM Exudate in a Natural System
WORK EXPERIENCE
02/2021 — 08/2024
Postdoctoral Scholar
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI
DEPARTMENT OF OCEANOGRAPHY
Process, manage, and analyze data from Soluble Reactive Phosphorus, Sequential Ultrafiltration, and bioavailability assays, and integrate these data with field site parameters.
Work collaboratively to integrate chemical data with genomics and other data generated by collaborators.
Assist undergraduate and graduate students with related projects.
Work with graduate and undergraduate students to coordinate use and maintenance of laboratory equipment and space.
Oversee and train undergraduate and graduate students on data collection and analysis procedures.
Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of the laboratory and lab equipment.
12/2017 — 01/2021
Postdoctoral Scholar
HAWAIʻI INSTITUTE OF MARINE BIOLOGY SCIENCE INQUIRY EDUCATION PROGRAM, KĀNEʻOHE HI
Assist with management of the Research Experiences in Marine Science Summer (REMS) program including program implementation, new student recruitment, and alumni tracking.
Design and conduct education research projects related to assessing nd improving teaching and learning of local, underrepresented, and underserved students
9/2017 — 12/2017
Graduate Intern
HAWAIʻI INSTITUTE OF MARINE BIOLOGY SCIENCE INQUIRY EDUCATION PROGRAM, KĀNEʻOHE HI
Assist program director with management of student interns, education course development, and planning for the Research Experiences in Marine Science Summer Program
Assist with Summer Program alumni tracking and follow-up to facilitate program
7/2015 — 9/2016
Graduate Assistant
CENTER FOR MICROBIAL OCEANOGRAPHY: RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (C-MORE), EDUCATION AND OUTREACH OFFICE, HONOLULU HI
Co-managed C-MORE Scholars Program. Duties included monitoring undergraduate research, leading professional development workshops, organizing outreach events, and coordinating a capstone research symposium. Also analyze survey data to assess program effectiveness
Assisted with planning and presentation of science education and outreach events within the community
3/2007 — 5/2007
Environmental Education Specialist
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (FDEP), OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, TALLAHASSEE FL
Worked on FDEP’s Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) Program where I researched, planned, and prepared field labs for middle school students in accordance with state education standards
Traveled throughout Florida to assist in field lab facilitation at LIFE sites, establish new LIFE sites and partnerships, and represent the Office of Environmental Education at various outreach and community service activities
2004 — 2006
Undergraduate Research Assistant
AQUATIC SCIENCES LABORATORY, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES INSTITUTE, FLORIDA A & M UNIVERSITY, TALLAHASSEE FL
Designed and conducted microcosm experiments as part of Senior Thesis requirements
Participated in field studies focused on mercury bioaccumulation; carbon flux in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida; and shipboard ecosystem inventory of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico
8/2007 — 8/2014
Graduate Research Assistant
HAWAIʻI INSTITUTE OF MARINE BIOLOGY, KĀNEʻOHE HI
Worked to complete research goals on various projects involving field flume experiments, deployment of long-term monitoring equipment such as YSIs and ADVs, and effluent water quality assessment using sea urchin fertilization rates
TEACHING AND MENTORING EXPERIENCE
2017
Teaching Assistant
06/2017 — 07/2017
Instructor
SUSTAINABILITY IN A CHANGING WORLD (OCN 105), UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT MĀNOA
Assisted course instructors with active participation course geared toward teaching the concepts of sustainability and the history of sustainable practices across a wide range of cultures and time periods.
HAWAII INSTITUTE OF MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH EXPERIENCES IN MARINE SCIENCE SUMMER PROGRAM
Guided high school students and recent high school graduates through inquiry-driven marine science course which included a research project and symposium presentation.
HAWAIʻI INSTITUTE OF MARINE BIOLOGY SCIENCE INQUIRY EDUCATION PROGRAM
Guided high school and early undergraduate students through the development and testing of a marine education module.
09/2017—12/2017
Smithsonian Fellow
2013 — 2014
Graduate Student Mentor
2014 — 2015
Lecturer
SOEST MAILE MENTORING BRIDGE PROGRAM, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT MĀNOA
Mentored underrepresented undergraduate student from a local community college as part of a larger initiative to facilitate retention of local students in SOEST.
HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI WEST OʻAHU, KAPOLEI HI
Instructed three sections of Science of the Sea (OCN 201; two in person & one online), an introductory Oceanography course for non-science majors
CENTER FOR MICROBIAL OCEANOGRAPHY: RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (C-MORE), EDUCATION AND OUTREACH OFFICE, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT MĀNOA
Mentored undergraduate students in the C-MORE Scholars program and assisted students with applications for summer internships, graduate school, and fellowships
2015 — 2016
Graduate Assistant
LAULIMA A ʻIKE PONO PROGRAM, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT MĀNOA
Worked with community-member interns to carry out science research project at Heʻeia Fishpond.
2010 — 2013
Graduate Student Mentor
2013
Instructor
SCIENCE OF THE SEA LAB (OCN 201L), UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT MĀNOA
Lectured and facilitated undergraduate lab class weekly, graded assignments, and administered exams.
BISHOP ANSTEY JUNIOR SCHOOL, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGOSCHOOL
Worked with students aged five to twelve in fulfilling their co-curricular subject requirements. Substituted for absent instructors when necessary to cover Science and Math classes
2001 — 2003
Co-curricular Subject Teacher
PUBLICATIONS
PEER-REVIEWED
Rivera, MAJ, CM Ambrosino, MM Manning, S Leon Soon, YM Rii, KD Gorospe. Broadening Participation through Research Experiences in Marine Science: An Early-Admit Immersive College Course Provides Experiential, Place-Based Scientific Training for Hawai‘i High School Students. Oceanography 35(2) (2022)
Bruno, BC, JLK Wren, K. Noa, EM Wood-Charlson, J Ayau, S Leon Soon, H Needham, and CA Choy. Summer bridge program establishes nascent pipeline to expand and diversify Hawai‘i’s undergraduate geoscience enrollment. Oceanography 29(2) (2016)
Padilla-Gamiño, JL, RR Bidigare, DJ Barshis, A Alamaru, L Hédouin, X Hernández-Pech, F Kandel, S Leon Soon, et. al. Are all eggs created equal? A case study from the Hawaiian reef-building coral Montipora capitata. Coral Reefs 32 (1): 137-152 (2013)
OTHER
Leon Soon, S “How the Physical Environment Matters …” Ka Pili Kai: Graduate Student Research – Learning Through Discovery 32(1) Apr 2010: 5
SKILLS
colorimetric nutrient analysis
DNA extraction, purification, and quantitation
outboard motor small watercraft handling
nitrate reductase protein assays
acoustic Doppler velocimeter deployment
scientific diving
Matlab
water sample collection