Biochemistry BA & BS Advisors
Current Biochemistry majors:
To schedule an appointment with your Major Advisor or College Advisor, please log into your STAR Balance account.
Current Biochemistry majors with less than 30 credits:
To fulfill your Mandatory Advising requirement, please schedule to meet with a College Advisor through your STAR Balance account.
Prospective Biochemistry majors:
To schedule an appointment with a Major Advisor, please tap or hover over their name below and contact a Major Advisor via email. No same-day appointments may be booked.
Click here to visit the Chemistry Department's website.
Major Advisor
Jakob Hyvl, PhD
Assistant Professor
Jakub Hyvl was born and raised in Pardubice, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic). He received an Ing. (equivalent to M.Sc.) in 2007 from University of Pardubice, where he did his diploma work with Prof. Oldrich Pytela in the area of synthesis of chiral catalysts. Jakub moved to Prague to pursue his doctoral studies from University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague. He joined research group of Dr. Jiri Srogl in the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, where he worked on reactivity of organic disulfides with transition metals. After he received his Ph.D. in 2011, he worked two years in the Dr. Detlef Schroder group at the same institution in the area of mass spectrometry. After being astonished by Dick Schrock chemistry on his invited lecture, he got postdoctoral position in his research group at MIT, where he worked two years on synthesis of metathesis catalysts and ROMP polymers. In 2015, Jakub moved to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to support his former colleague, Matt Cain, in his main group chemistry research. Jakub joined the faculty of the Department of Chemistry in August 2017.
To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.
Address: 2545 McCarthy Mall, Bilger 404, Honolulu, 96822
Room: Bilger 404
Phone: 808-956-7665
Email: hyvl@hawaii.edu
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Major Advisor
Joseph Jarrett, PhD
Professor
Joe Jarrett received a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Michigan in 1988. He obtained a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Department of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1993, working with Peter T. Lansbury, Jr. on the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation in Alzheimer’s disease. He then returned to the University of Michigan for postdoctoral studies in the laboratory of Rowena G. Matthews, focusing on mechanistic studies of cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase. He was a member of the faculty of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2005. He joined the Department of Chemistry at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2006.
To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.
Address: 2545 McCarthy Mall, Bilger 302, Honolulu, 96822
Room: Bilger 302
Phone: 808-956-6721
Email: jtj@hawaii.edu
PROFESSOR
Major Advisor
Rui Sun, PhD
Assistant Professor
Rui Sun received his B.S. degree in Chemistry in 2009 from Shandong University in China. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Texas Tech University in 2014, working with Dr. William L. Hase on studying gas phase reactions mechanism and solvent effect in condensed phase reaction with ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. He then worked as a postdoctoral scholar in the laboratory of Gregory A. Voth at the University of Chicago developing enhanced sampling methodology to assist biophysical simulations and biochemical reactions. During his postdoctoral appointment, Rui also collaborated with Eli Lilly and Company working on small molecule drug permeation with the support of its Scientific and Technical Advisory Board Award. Rui joined the faculty of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in August 2017.
To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.
Address: 2545 McCarthy Mall, Bilger 245B, Honolulu, 96822
Room: Bilger 245B
Phone: 808-956-3207
Email: ruisun@hawaii.edu
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Major Advisor
Philip Williams, PhD
Associate Professor
Philip Williams received his undergraduate education at the University of Calgary, Canada, and his Ph.D. from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, in 2003. After postdoctoral work at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, California, from 2003-2006, he returned to the University of Hawaiʻi to join the faculty as an assistant professor. His research interests focus on natural products chemistry, isolation and structure determination, and natural products methodologies.
To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.
Address: 2545 McCarthy Mall, Bilger 245A, Honolulu, 96822
Room: Bilger 245A
Phone: 808-956-5720
Email: philipwi@hawaii.edu
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
College Advisor
Last Names: A-C
Reynold Kajiwara
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
My name is Reynold and I’m an Academic Advisor for the College of Natural Sciences! I was born and raised here on O’ahu and grew up in Waipahu.
I received my Bachelor’s of Arts in Japanese and Second Language Studies here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. While in college, I participated in the UHM Study Abroad Center’s Year in Japan Program, was the President of the UHM Japanese Culture Club, and a Student Interchanger.
After graduating, I spent a year and a half working as an Academic Program Assistant and ESL instructor for a local English Language School which housed many students from across the world. Before joining the NatSci Advising team, I worked as an Express Academic Advisor for the UHM Advising Center for the Colleges of Arts & Humanities and Languages, Linguistics, and Literature.
I’m excited to work with you to make your experience at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa impactful, meaningful, and relevant to your academic/professional goals!
To schedule an appointment, log into your STAR Balance account.
Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822
Room: Hamilton Library 002L
Phone: 808-956-0824
Email: reynoldk@hawaii.edu
UNDERGRADUATE
ACADEMIC ADVISOR
College Advisor
Last Names: D-I
April Legaspi, M.S.
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
My name is April and I joined the College of Natural Sciences Student Academic Success Center in the beginning of Summer 2023.
I'm from Guam but grew up in Yokosuka, located in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan. I received my BS in Biology at University of Guam where I did fieldwork for endangered and endemic Guam flora. I had the opportunity to be selected for an internship for the Undergraduate Research and Mentoring in the Biological Sciences Program at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2012 where I was matched with a mentor who later became my graduate advisor. I received my MS in Botany on the Phylogenetics and Molecular Systematics track with a specialization in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation in 2018 from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
I have had experience as a student, teaching assistant, and a lab coordinator within College of Natural Sciences from 2015 to 2023. I was a teaching assistant for various lab courses: Introduction to Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Genetics.
I look forward to working with you as you embark on your academic journey at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa!
To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.
Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822
Room: Hamilton Library 002M
Phone: 808-956-8109
Email: anjc@hawaii.edu
UNDERGRADUATE
ACADEMIC ADVISOR
College Advisor
Last Names: J-Me
Kamana Seymour, M.P.A
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Aloha mai kākou!
My name is Kamana Seymour and I joined the College of Natural Sciences Student Academic Services Center in late 2022.
My professional background includes over ten years of service at UH Manoa working primarily within the Office of Residential Life and Student Housing Services. There, I worked directly with residential students and student staff to support their educational experiences and provide direct supervision and paraprofessional training. I also had extensive experience with student resourcing as well as facilities management.
My personal background includes being born in Honolulu and being raised on both Oahu and Hawaii island. I attended public schools on Oahu and began my higher education journey at Kapi’olani Community College before transferring into UH Manoa. I am a proud two-time graduate of UH Manoa, with a BA in American Studies and a Master of Public Administration. In my spare time I enjoy community service, cultural advancement, martial arts, travel, and other hobbies. I strongly believe that our students thrive when supportively engaged by faculty, staff, peers, and educational and professional resources.
I am excited to work with you in your academic journey and am committed to helping you have the best overall experience at UH Manoa! Go Bows!!!
To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.
Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822
Room: Hamilton Library 002M
Phone: 808-956-0788
Email: kamanaok@hawaii.edu
UNDERGRADUATE
ACADEMIC ADVISOR
College Advisor
Last Names: Mi-R
Jordan E. Abanto
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Hello everyone! My name is Jordan Abanto and I joined the team in late Spring 2023.
I earned my Master of Education in Educational Administration & Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management and Accounting here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. I previously worked as an Admin and Fiscal Support Specialist at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. In my free time, I enjoy trying out places to eat, gaming with friends, and catching up on books I planned on reading a while ago.
I look forward to advising you and helping you throughout your academic journey here at this University!
To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.
Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822
Room: Hamilton Library 002H
Phone: 808-956-6174
Email: abanto@hawaii.edu
UNDERGRADUATE
ACADEMIC ADVISOR
College Advisor
Last Names: S-Wi
Amanda Ponce,
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Amanda Ponce is a Chicana from Omaha, Nebraska, where she has made a deep-seeded commitment to working with communities in education, social work, as well as improving her community civically. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate at University of Nebraska-Omaha. Post undergrad,she completed a Public Policy fellowship with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington D.C. Returning to Nebraska she served at the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Juvenile Services as a Juvenile Service Officer and Caseworker.
Over the past decade, Amanda has supported and advocated for first generation, low-income and under-served students and families by providing college access, during her tenure at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Metropolitan Community College in Nebraska. In addition to breaking down systemic barriers in education; she has helped run political campaigns, created and supported organizations who are civically engaged. Amanda loves traveling, dancing, digging deeper into her cultural heritage and connecting with Mother Nature.
Scholars, I look forward to being a part of you becoming the best version of yourself and assisting you in reaching your goals here at UH Mānoa.
To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.
Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822
Room: Hamilton Library 002H
Phone: 808-956-8996
Email: aponce42@hawaii.edu
UNDERGRADUATE
ACADEMIC ADVISOR
College Advisor
Last Names: Wo-Z
Stephanie Kraft-Terry, Ph.D.
Interim Director of Advising
I am currently serving as the Interim Director of Advising for the College of Natural Sciences. In addition, I advise undergraduate students in Zoology (no longer accepting new students).
I am originally from Hillsboro, Oregon. I completed my BS in Chemistry with a minor in Art at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. I then moved to Omaha, NE where I completed my PhD in Experimental Neuroscience in 2011. I studied the effects of HIV-1 on the brain using proteomic techniques. I moved to University of Hawaiʻi as a postdoctoral researcher in 2011, where I focused on HIV-1 clinical research before starting my current position in the Department of Biology in the summer of 2012.
I am eager to work with students to align their educational pathway with their personal and professional goals. Coming from a science background myself, I understand the unique needs of science majors and work to ensure that the College of Natural Sciences Advising Unit meets these.
Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822
Room: Hamilton Library 117
Phone: 808-956-0735
Email: kraft2@hawaii.edu
INTERIM
DIRECTOR OF ADVISING
College Advisor
Max Lee, M.A.
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Study Abroad Advisor
Hello! I joined the College of Natural Sciences team in June 2018, but I’ve been an advisor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Study Abroad Center since 1997. I received a double BA in Japanese and French, and an MA in French language and literature, both from UHM. While a student I studied in Germany, Argentina and France. Besides English, I speak Japanese, French, Spanish and German, at various levels. The skills I learned while navigating different languages and cultures still serve me professionally and personally.
I encourage all students to consider participating in a study abroad program while at UHM. It doesn’t have to delay graduation and can be a truly fulfilling experience.
To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.
Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822
Room: Hamilton Library 002C
Phone: 808-956-3365
Email: maxl@hawaii.edu