A first-ever graduate student symposium involving the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s graduate programs will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday at Vulcan Gym.
A first-ever graduate student symposium involving the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s graduate programs will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday at Vulcan Gym.
The event is free and open to the public.
The theme for this student-organized event is “Integrated Community Design: Health, Environment, and Culture.” The symposium will focus on connections between health, environment and culture in Hilo and their roles in developing practical solutions across vulnerable populations, Hawaii’s youth and community-based research.
Highlights of the symposium include the keynote address by acclaimed filmmaker Matthew Nagato, who wrote and produced the documentary “Ola,” which examined the widespread social factors that facilitated Hawaii’s health care crisis and was an official selection in the 2013 Hawaii International Film Festival Spring Showcase.
The event will also include panel presentations about the three symposium subthemes, followed by breakout sessions.
“Our graduate students, faculty, and community members are well-positioned to affect positive change in our community’s health,” said Dr. Jonathan Koch, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Biology and Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Graduate Program. “This student-led symposium is an important first step to achieve that goal.”
For more information, contact Mahealani Jones at 932-7926 or email amyj@hawaii.edu.