Contact Info

nyeung@hawaii.edu
(808) 956-0956 (ph)
(808) 956-2647(fax)
3050 Maile Way, Gilmore 408
Honolulu, HI 96822

Education

Research Interests

In the footsteps of great minds like Thomas H. Huxley, I am interested in trying “to learn something about everything and everything about something.” My current research interests are focused on understanding the evolutionary mechanisms and processes that generate, maintain, and in some cases, reduce biodiversity. I received my PhD from the University of Hawaii, working on the systematics, population genetics, ecology and conservation of seabirds. I am currently part of a National Science Foundation Biodiversity grant (PI Hayes) whose goals are to comprehensively identify, catalog and reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of the native land snails of Hawaii. These data will allow for the development of more efficient and comprehensive management policies for this rapidly vanishing fauna.

Teaching is also central to my research and career goals. As an educator of science, policy and management, I am keenly interested in integrating research and education in novel approaches. Doing so enables me to bridge the gap between science and public outreach through the development of environmental education curricula, and to better focus on and efficiently serve contemporary conservation issues. I am currently using Hawaii’s native biota (specifically Hawaii’s native birds and land snails) for science education to improve students’ understanding of the scientific process through the development of evolutionary theories.

Department and Laboratory Webpages

Selected Publications

Additional Information