Photos from June 16th Event

"It is with great please that I accept the ARCS Fellowship for 2016-2017.  As a graduate student in the life sciences, I fully appreciate the mission and generosity that ARCS Foundation exhibits to young researchers like myself.  The foundation's dedication to supporting promising young scientists and engineers can be like-changing, and allows its fellowship recipients to become leaders in the fields of science, engineering, and medical research.  As an ARCS fellow, I strive to uphold the values that the ARCS foundation represents.  This scholarship has furthered my professional and academic education enormously, and for that I am humbled and grateful.  I look forward to continuing my journey toward becoming a leader in my scientific field with the immense help of the ARCS fellowship."

Let me start by saying how thankful I am for being selected as an ARCS scholar.  I consider it one of my greatest achievements thus far and I am immensely proud to count myself as one of the amazing group of students that your organization selected to receive this award.  I want you ladies to know you are doing an outstanding job!  You all are embarked on a truly altruistic endeavor and it is my fervent prayer that this organization thrives for years to come.

"I have conducted comprehensive studies on two invasive insect pests in the Hawaiian Islands that are severely impacting Hawaiian ecosystems. The coconut rhinoceros beetle is spreading fast across Oahu and has reached other islands. The hala scale impacts native coastal hala forests."

Besides offsetting the high cost of living in Hawai‘i, funds from the 2024 Maybelle F. Roth ARCS Scholar and Honolulu Scholar of the Year awards would allow Mason Russo to return to Asia if an initial survey produces promising biological control agents for the battle against destructive insects that threaten Hawai‘i trees.