PIERC partners with UH Hilo PIPES Program
The Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Sciences (PIPES) places undergraduate students in research positions with government agencies to gain experience and mentorship.
Conor Handley, Senior at Humboldt State University
Conor learned about the PIPES internship two years ago when he traveled to the island of O‘ahu to attend the annual Hawai‘i Conservation Conference, as component of another internship. At the conference, Conor interacted with many of the PIPES interns that were in attendance and got information from program coordinators. These interactions sparked his interest in the program, and two years later applied to be an intern himself.
Conor is interested in wildlife conservation and science and particularly interested in birds. Conor’s interests were a great match for Dr. Paul Banko’s project investigating the efficiency management options for conservation of Hawaiian forest birds. Conor has been astounded with the number of new skills that he has learned during his internship including: bird banding, trapping of rats and wasps, radio telemetry to track rats, and more. Of all of the components of the internship, the bird banding has been his favorite part.
Andrew Hanano, Senior at Oregon State University
Andrew first heard about the USGS while studying science at Oregon State University and was interested in opportunities with the agency in order to focus on scientific research, rather than management. The experience in research science Andrew is gaining during his internship as part a project investigating anchialine pool ecosystems in national parks on Hawai‘i Island is complementary to his long-term career goals.
During his internship, Andrew has spent time in the lab and in the field and enjoys the balance of the two components. He has also been exposed to aspects of project development such as: obtaining permits, planning logistics, and building the project from the ground up. He is particularly gaining experience in the problem solving and adaptive components of research that can’t be taught in the classroom.
Tressie "Aloha" Kapono, 2016 Graduate of University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
Aloha learned about the PIPES program while she was a USGS volunteer with Dr. Frank Bonaccorso working with Hawaiian hoary bats during 2015. Before volunteering with the USGS, Aloha had worked with bats during an international undergraduate program. After returning to the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, she inquired with a professor about bat research on Hawai‘i Island and connected with Dr. Bonaccorso. Aloha was interested in continuing to work with wildlife so was matched with Dr. Paul Banko’s rats and birds project for her PIPES internship.
Initially hesitant to sign up for a project researching the effects of rats (and other alien predators), Aloha knew that she would learn a lot from the new and different experiences and is glad she made the choice. Her favorite part of the project has been learning about the forest birds, banding them and learning to identify their calls. On a recent trip to the island of Moloka‘i, Aloha was excited to use her new skills to identify the native forest bird calls she heard.
The Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Sciences (PIPES) places undergraduate students in research positions with government agencies to gain experience and mentorship.
Conor Handley, Senior at Humboldt State University
Conor learned about the PIPES internship two years ago when he traveled to the island of O‘ahu to attend the annual Hawai‘i Conservation Conference, as component of another internship. At the conference, Conor interacted with many of the PIPES interns that were in attendance and got information from program coordinators. These interactions sparked his interest in the program, and two years later applied to be an intern himself.
Conor is interested in wildlife conservation and science and particularly interested in birds. Conor’s interests were a great match for Dr. Paul Banko’s project investigating the efficiency management options for conservation of Hawaiian forest birds. Conor has been astounded with the number of new skills that he has learned during his internship including: bird banding, trapping of rats and wasps, radio telemetry to track rats, and more. Of all of the components of the internship, the bird banding has been his favorite part.
Andrew Hanano, Senior at Oregon State University
Andrew first heard about the USGS while studying science at Oregon State University and was interested in opportunities with the agency in order to focus on scientific research, rather than management. The experience in research science Andrew is gaining during his internship as part a project investigating anchialine pool ecosystems in national parks on Hawai‘i Island is complementary to his long-term career goals.
During his internship, Andrew has spent time in the lab and in the field and enjoys the balance of the two components. He has also been exposed to aspects of project development such as: obtaining permits, planning logistics, and building the project from the ground up. He is particularly gaining experience in the problem solving and adaptive components of research that can’t be taught in the classroom.
Tressie "Aloha" Kapono, 2016 Graduate of University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
Aloha learned about the PIPES program while she was a USGS volunteer with Dr. Frank Bonaccorso working with Hawaiian hoary bats during 2015. Before volunteering with the USGS, Aloha had worked with bats during an international undergraduate program. After returning to the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, she inquired with a professor about bat research on Hawai‘i Island and connected with Dr. Bonaccorso. Aloha was interested in continuing to work with wildlife so was matched with Dr. Paul Banko’s rats and birds project for her PIPES internship.
Initially hesitant to sign up for a project researching the effects of rats (and other alien predators), Aloha knew that she would learn a lot from the new and different experiences and is glad she made the choice. Her favorite part of the project has been learning about the forest birds, banding them and learning to identify their calls. On a recent trip to the island of Moloka‘i, Aloha was excited to use her new skills to identify the native forest bird calls she heard.