Download Hawai i Institute of Marine Biology - HIMB (PDF)

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Name of the Program ____Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology______________________________
Program as used in this prioritization process can be a specialization, section, division, field of study,
center, degree program, etc. The unit head, in collaboration with others as appropriate, must determine
the level of analysis required.
How long has the program existed: The Hawai‘i Marine Laboratory began in 1951 and was officially created
and re-named the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology by the Hawai‘i State Legislature in 1965.
The program would fall under which of the following Vice Chancellor’s offices?
______
Academic Affairs
___X _
Research and Graduate Education
______
Student Services
______
Administration, Finance and Operations
How does the program fit into the larger administrative unit? (Describe in two or three sentences.)
HIMB is a research institute in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.
Briefly describe the program (no more than half a page):
The Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) is a unique resource to the State of Hawai‘i, UHMānoa, and SOEST. It is the only site in the world where living coral reefs and deep ocean communities
lie within a short distance of a technologically advanced laboratory environment complete with
functional genomics capabilities, LC-Mass Spectrometer, and seawater for rearing marine organisms.
HIMB faculty with 14 tenure/tenure-track faculty, 2 faculty education/;outreach specialists, and 2 faculty
supported on three year rollover contracts trains 64 graduate students and 25 postdoctoral fellows.
HIMB hosts the Pauley Summer Program and K-12 curriculum development and training programs for
the Hawai‘i Department of Education and NOAA, and provide the research for management of the
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM). Our scientists collaborate with Japan,
Taiwan, Thailand, Moorea in French Polynesia, France, and Russia.
HIMB has been identified in two prior NSF funded Experimental Program to Stimulate
Competitiveness in Research (EPSCoR) proposals as a focus for tropical ecosystems and evolutionary
genetics research. If funded for a third round, HIMB will continue to obtain funding for its ecogenomics
research. The reason for this funding is the recognition that HIMB scientists have ready access to the 35
million hectare Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument where more than 70% of the nation’s
reefs reside. These resources along with those of the Main Hawaiian Islands span 1,523 miles (2,451
kilometers) southeast to northwest across the Tropic of Cancer with a gradient of anthropogenic stressors
in the south to the relatively pristine environment of Kure Atoll.
Because of the isolation of the Hawaiian Archipelago, its marine environment boasts one of the
world’s highest levels of endemic species. Hawai‘i terrestrial species have long been known for
spectacular species radiations representing all stages of the diversification process, but we know very
little of these processes in the marine environment. The Hawaiian archipelago is an ideal setting for
studies of evolution, speciation, and location adaptation to diverse environmental gradients. It is
critically important that UH provide the leadership and technology to assess and characterize the
relationships that govern the variety and abundance of organisms in these ecosystems. HIMB is an
integral part of these efforts.
HIMB scientists are also recognized as leaders in the field of marine mammal acoustics, sensor
development, environmental monitoring, biogeochemical processes of coastal and oceanic systems, and
ecological assessments of the marine environment.
SOEST PRIORITIZATION
RESEARCH - Program Name: Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB)
CENTRALITY AND ALIGNMENT: Max Score = 28
UHM Vision/WASC Alignment
UHM vision (Hawaiian, Asia-Pacific, natural environment)
Strengthen global leadership
Advancing area of strength
Land-Sea-Space Grant
Addressing an area expected in a land/sea/space institution
Statute or Regulation
Meets statutory or government regulations
State Needs
Addressing needs identified as high priority in the state
Engages stakeholders that are a priority to UHM
QUALITY/INTEGRITY: Max Score = 44
Quality Activities
Training and public service work
Accountability metrics and routinely uses them
Quality Facilities
Good plan for adequate investment in facilities
Facilities and equipment availability and condition
Quality Research
Obtaining highly competitive contracts/grants
Research with prestigious natnl/intn universities
Positive impact on UHM research reputation
Quality Faculty/Staff
Awarded external academic recognition
Jointly authored publications
Faculty/staff publish high number of reviewed papers
Steady increase in number of citations
CRITICAL MASS: Max Score = 16
Peer Comparisons
National/international recognition/visibility
Fundamental Trends
Award amounts and number of contracts/grants
Faculty/Staff Size
Number of staff associated with ORU
Ability to Deliver
Staff expertise adequate to meet program needs
EXTERNAL DEMAND: Max Score = 48
Needs/Trends
Current trends show demand for research
Call on staff to provide expert opinions in past 3 yrs
Policy impact on state/nation
Increase in economic well-being of state/nation
Enriching training and public service
Responding to scientific needs of state/nation
Work has resulted in products with external demand
Work resulting in technology commercialization/patents
score % total
96.429
4
4
4
EXTERNAL DEMAND: Continued
Partnerships
Partnerships with key external stakeholders
Partnerships with native Hawaiian communities
Work used by corporate/business interests
Work used by government interests
score % total
4
3
3
4
4
INTERNAL DEMAND: Max Score = 28
Reliance of Others
4
4
3
95.455
4
4
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
87.5
4
92.857
Collaboration with faculty/staff from other units
Symposia/workshops/seminars value/attendance
Experiential Learning/research opportunities for students
Facilities and Services
Use of facilities, tools/labs by other units
Enhance Research
Opportunities for faculty/staff in other units
Supports graduate students and postdocs
New areas of academic expertise
COST/REVENUE GENERATION (PRODUCTIVITY): Max Score = 36
Revenue Generation
Generates more revenue vs. expenses
Leveraging substantial external funding
Operating Expenses
Favorable operating expense/costs
Core labs/facilities support by external funds
Administrative Costs
ORU typically funded by agencies with higher indirect costs
Efficiency/Productivity
Research/scholarship as compared to other units
Participation in educational and public service
Amount/number of awards as compared to other units
Support of Graduate students on external funds
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
94.444
4
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
89.583
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
SPECIALIZED NICHE/COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: Max Score = 20
Uniqueness/Signature
Uniqueness in state/nation
Area of excellence or emerging area of excellence
Record in meeting needs of Hawaii and indigenous people
Reputation/Peers
National or international recognition
Competitive Advantage
Scholarship level as compared to similar programs
Grand Total Score (%) =
100
4
4
4
4
4
93.636
Centrality and Alignment:
HIMB’s research mission is directly linked to advancing the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) vision
and is an integral part of strength areas identified in the institutional proposal, i.e., marine sciences and evolutionary
biology with Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific orientation and unique location. It also retains a high quality reputation in
addressing an area typically expected in a land-sea-space grant institution.
At the recent 11th International Coral Reef Symposium which is held every four years and represents the
penultimate meeting for coral reef researchers, HIMB scientists were responsible for 32 invited presentations. By far,
HIMB’s contributions at this meeting surpassed any other institution. Our scientists produce over 100 peer-reviewed
publications per year (average 7 publications per faculty member) and in 2008 HIMB faculty members attracted an
average of $429,820 in grant funds.
Moreover, HIMB is highly linked to efforts to meet statutory or government regulations. The Hawai‘i Marine
Laboratory refuge is one of the oldest marine reserves in the state and HIMB has an implicit responsibility to use this
reserve for scientific purposes for the state. Hawai‘i Revised Statute 188-36 provides regulations for this responsibility.
Two initiatives that have been identified as high priority by the Governor’s office are the Hawai‘i Innovation
Initiative and the Hawai‘i Ocean Resources Management Plan. These plans call for workforce development with an
increase in science and technology majors at UHM. Data cited in the Innovation Initiative indicate that UHM graduates
in science and technology subjects have remained relatively constant over the past 7 years. The State has embarked
upon an effort to increase student participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) academies.
HIMB is working with the Hawai‘i Department of Education and NOAA to provide relevant marine science curriculum.
HIMB was a participant in the development of the Hawai‘i Ocean Resources Management Plan that was
adopted in 2006. The majority of HIMB funded projects are directly related to the plan’s goals which include the
planning and development of sustainable commercial aquaculture in coastal areas and ocean waters and the expansion
of ocean science and technology.
Quality/Integrity
HIMB faculty members provide education and public service work in high demand in the state and beyond.
They serve on state, national, and international advisory panels. HIMB outreach and education programs provide
training for teachers and students from K-12, undergraduate and graduate students, and the public in ocean and coastal
zone stewardship and coral reef biology.
Accountability metrics have been established and implemented and HIMB routinely engages in self review. In
2004, the HIMB faculty and staff met to develop a strategic plan for the next 5 years and beyond. An assessment of the
benchmarks developed in this plan is performed annually. In 2008, as a result of another strategic planning session with
Steve and Marylyn Pauley, HIMB adopted a sustainability initiative and has instituted an active recycling program for
bottles, cardboard, plastics, and paper as well as metal recycling with the City and County convenience center.
HIMB has critical facilities and equipment needed to carry out its mission. However, these facilities are in
need of improvement and plans have been developed for investing in these facilities. HIMB’s newest building, the
Edwin Pauley Marine laboratory building is now ten years old and has the dubious distinction of being the most energy
inefficient building at UHM. We have worked with the Vice Chancellor of Administration to re-commission the
building and repair the building’s envelope and provide more energy efficient air handling system. HIMB’s energy bill
for 2008-09 is estimated to be $492K. UHM and higher administration is aware of this cost and the need to reduce this
by installation of energy efficient equipment. We have sent in requests for maintenance and repair on an annual basis.
HIMB has been successful in obtaining highly competitive contracts and grants. In the last 5 years, nearly
$26m were awarded to HIMB faculty for research. In 2008, the faculty generated $6,877,119 in grant funds, an average
of $429,819 per faculty member. Further demonstration of the quality of the research effort is the engagement of many
colleagues in collaborative research and the number of prestigious predoctoral and postdoctoral awards made to HIMB
trainees.
HIMB publications have shown a steady increase in citations related to HIMB’s work, from 1261 in 2000,
2149 in 2005, to 3154 in 2008. The accumulated citation indices for the faculty indicate that the average annual citation
per faculty member is 197 (3157 citations in 2008 for 14 tenure-track/tenured faculty + 2 rollover faculty).
Critical Mass
HIMB faculty are leaders in their fields. All have served on numerous NSF, USDA, and NOAA grant review
panels. Among the senior faculty, all have assumed leadership roles in their respective scientific societies. The HIMB
faculty identified the following major research efforts where HIMB can excel in its scientific contributions:
1. Coastal and Pelagic Ecosystem Processes Involving Coral Reefs
2. Marine Animal Sensory Processes and Ecology
3. Marine Evolutionary Genetics
4. Physiology and Diseases of Fish and Corals.
In order to realize this excellence, HIMB faculty will work collaboratively with other units and seek to recruit faculty in
the research areas (2) and (4).
External Demand
In the report “Innovation and Technology in Hawai‘i: An Economic and Workforce Profile” (October 2008)
produced by the Hawai‘i Science and Technology Institute, the Ocean Sciences Market segment in Hawai‘i and in the
Nation continues to be a strong market driver. Since our students also develop skills in environmental technologies
(1.7% expected annual growth rate) and aquaculture biotechnology (3.2% expected annual growth rate), HIMB faculty
members are critical to the continued training and capacity building required for this projected growth.
Moreover, HIMB faculty are routinely called upon to provide expert testimony for different government
agencies including the Senate Commerce Committee, the Marine Mammal Commission, NOAA Scientific Advisory
Board, the Ocean Studies Board of the National Research council, NOAA’s Oceans and Human Health initiative, ocean
acidification and climate change, and management of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. HIMB
research led to the changes in the policies governing the regulation of the marine protected areas. The Ecological
Acoustic Recorders developed by the marine mammal program have been invaluable in monitoring boat traffic in the
monument and documented, for the first time, the presence of humpback whales in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Internal Demand
HIMB faculty members hold their tenured positions in HIMB, but their academic homes cross UHM Colleges
and Schools. HIMB faculty members also serve on the graduate student committees for faculty in these departments,
serve on committees that are integral to these departments, and collaborate on research proposals that are jointly funded.
In addition to the direct collaborations, HIMB hosts symposia, workshops, and seminars routinely for the
benefit of its faculty, the faculty at UHM and UH-Hilo. The annual Pauley Summer Program brings in scientists and
graduate students from around the world to participate in marine research. Every 3 years HIMB hosts the International
Workshop on Conservation Genetics, considered one of the most important workshops in conservation genetics. As
part of the research effort with Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, HIMB cohosts a symposium with the
PIFSC annually and hosts monthly brown bag meetings with DAR, Fish and Wildlife Services, and NOAA.
Many of the HIMB faculty members are involved in providing experiential learning opportunities for high
school and undergraduate students as well as providing research training for DOE science teachers.
HIMB scientists, through grant funds, support a functional genomics facility that is used by other scientists
including faculty from UHM, UH-Hilo, USGS, NOAA. We also have a seawater system and an aquatic rearing system
that supports researchers from Zoology, Botany, DAR-DLNR, CSU Northridge, U of Wisconsin, UCLA, and EPA.
Costs/Revenue Generation (Productivity)
HIMB extramural funding has been growing with the Institute. The average of the last four years of grant
funding has been over $5.58m, while total operating costs have been hovering around $3m. While generating more
revenue than expense, HIMB has higher operating expenses than other Mānoa “on campus” units, as it is responsible for
its own facilities maintenance, grounds-keeping, janitorial services, utilities, fuel and maintenance agreement costs.
These costs amount to approximately $1.27m per year. Since most units at Mānoa have these services furnished as part
of the F & A costs, HIMB (which pays full on-campus indirect costs) functions at a distinct disadvantage. If all things
were equal, HIMB would have costs closer to $1.7m and compare very favorably with similar units.
All the research in all the labs at HIMB is supported by extramural grants or, in the case of the core genomics
lab, user fees. HIMB has been highly successful in acquiring infrastructure over the past 5 years using extramural
funds, fully equipping the genomics lab and augmenting the equipment in other labs both in number and sophistication.
One building is slated to be refurbished totally with extramural funds and new holding pens for pelagic fish are in the
early stages of installation.
Specialized Niche/Competitive Advantage
With projected global warming and ocean acidification, the work at HIMB is critical to the study of carbon
cycling in the ocean, the future of coral reefs in tropical environments, and effect of reef loss to ocean fisheries.
Kāne‘ohe Bay is of particular importance because it is an increasingly urbanized embayment that houses one
of the only tropical habitats within the United States. Further, HIMB is located within the bay and within ten miles of
the University of Hawai‘i. Therefore, within close proximity of HIMB is easy access to state of the art biological
laboratories, a world class oceanography department and an ocean engineering group. The juxtaposition of a national
resource such as Kāne‘ohe Bay, an urbanized environment that increasingly impacts the bay, yet provides for needed
access to electricity, building supplies and infrastructure and the expertise of a world class marine laboratory and
university is extremely rare. This combination of resources makes HIMB a unique and invaluable resource where
transdisciplinary research can succeed and provide maximum results.
The NSF EPSCoR program is evaluated each year for its progress. This is the reference that was made for the
program at HIMB: “.. the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) research facility can immediately form a nucleus for the
development of a Center proposal that not only links other investigators in Hawai‘i, but also partners with other institutional facilities
of a similar type on the mainland. The uniqueness of the marine habitat in Hawai‘i makes such a Center proposal a natural. Few of
these awards are successful in the initial application, but the MAP team believes that it is important for this focal area to become
more visible and position itself for a center award. Strategic planning now for a submission within a year should be a high priority.”