The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) has announced six students selected for the 2026 Research, Education and Extension Fellowship (REEF) and Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Internship. Over the coming months, these students will bridge the gap between classroom theory and hands-on practice, gaining professional experience in fields ranging from coral reef ecology to the island’s circular economy.

“These programs are funded under the UOG Sea Grant Omnibus, which supports undergraduate fellowships and workforce development internships. Together, these opportunities equip students with a strong toolbelt of practical skills, research experience, and professional mentorship that prepare them for careers in sustainability and beyond,” said UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Project Leader Phil Cruz at the event announcing the new program participants.

The REEF Program pairs students with mentors working in the sustainability field to conduct research or extension projects that address regional sustainability issues, including conservation. The fellowship runs 20 weeks from the start date, and interns are required to present their research at a G3 Science Café event at the conclusion of the program.

Selected as 2026 REEF fellows are Dominic Torres, Angelie Donguines, and Ale’a Duenas, all majoring in Integrated Biology at UOG. They are mentored by Peter Houk, Ph.D., at the UOG Marine Lab, where research is being conducted in the areas of coral reef ecology, fisheries, and climate change research.

Dominic Lubas, who is training in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) at the Guam Community College (GCC), is also a REEF Fellow hosted by the G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub.

Duenas shared that she looks forward to expanding her knowledge of the ocean, particularly coral and reef ecology. “To also be more well-rounded in what I already know, and to practice these skills,” she said.

Donguines joined the program to pursue her interest in marine science. Though she was initially unsure of which direction to take her major, her positive experience during a previous internship with Dr. Houk led her to return to his lab to focus on coral research.

Torres added that his interest in spearfishing sparked his curiosity about reef ecosystems. “So, I wanted to learn more about the reef, stuff like that. I’m excited to be a part of the team. I hope we get to go scuba diving and do all those fun things along with the data collection and whatnot,” he said.

Lubas shared that he wanted to learn how to operate machines at the Makerspace and understand how they are integrated into recycling efforts on Guam. “I wanted to involve myself in that process… and see how I can use the skills that I learned during my time and transfer them to other career opportunities in the future,” he said.

Meanwhile, the G3 Circular Economy Internship focuses on recycling reclaimed plastics at the G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub. Interns gain hands-on experience operating equipment such as laser engravers, routers, CNC machines, and lathes while working closely with mentors to meet shared objectives. The internship runs from February to May or upon completion of 150 hours.

Selected as G3 Circular Economy interns are Francisco Egurrola and Camia Wy, both Civil Engineering majors at UOG. They are mentored by the G3 Makerspace Team led by G3 Makerspace project lead Emily Wendte, along with Navigating Home fellow Justin Cruz and Makerspace staff Shawn Garcia.

Wy said the internship has expanded her experience beyond research and design by giving her hands-on exposure to machines and plastic recycling. “It’s been an eye-opener; you get to see how much plastic we have on island,” she said.

Egurrola said his interest in sustainability led him to apply. After completing research projects in high school, he wanted hands-on experience and a better understanding of waste management on Guam. He said contributing to efforts that address plastic waste and support a circular economy is meaningful to him.

The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) is inviting the public and partners to share their support and experiences through a new initiative highlighting the value the program brings to Guam and the broader Micronesian region.

The “I Value CIS & Sea Grant” campaign encourages community members, partners, and program participants to add their names and comments on a dedicated web form explaining why they support the work of UOG CIS & Sea Grant. Participants can simply sign their names or share personal stories describing how the program has impacted their lives, their work, or the island community.

The effort follows a broader national initiative across Sea Grant programs throughout the United States, which are emphasizing the importance of Sea Grant research, education, and outreach programs in their local communities. These initiatives are designed to demonstrate how Sea Grant programs support coastal economies, environmental stewardship, and community resilience.

Sea Grant programs operate through partnerships between universities and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and are known for addressing coastal and marine issues through research, education, and community engagement.

At the University of Guam, the Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant has grown into a major regional hub for sustainability initiatives, working with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community groups to address critical island challenges. The program focuses on environmental protection, economic development, education, and community engagement in Guam and across Micronesia.

Since its establishment, UOG CIS & Sea Grant has supported projects ranging from marine conservation and fisheries research to workforce development, watershed restoration, and sustainability initiatives such as Guam Green Growth.

The new campaign is designed to give the community an opportunity to share their voices and demonstrate the wide-ranging impact of the program’s work.

The submission form can be found at https://forms.gle/KcPP7f8LPKxJwDvX8.

From ancient fishing traditions and modern marine science to a fish kelaguen competition, the second annual Fish Fest —organized by the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant —returned this month, continuing its mission to promote sustainable fishing and food security.

Anchored to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, the festival brought together scientists, traditional fishers, and local families, alongside key partners like the UOG Marine Lab, the Guam Department of Agriculture, the Micronesian Conservation Coalition, among others, for the event held at the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub at CHamoru Village.

Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, highlighted biodiversity, economy, and culture as the three pillars of the event. He noted that Guam boasts some of the most diverse coral reefs in the United States, supporting over a thousand species of reef fish. Given the significance of the island’s marine resources, Shelton emphasized that the festival serves as an essential platform for sharing best practices in sustainable fishing and resource management.

“We want to be able to ensure that the values that have been passed on for generations continue to get passed on to the future. And as we go to harvest these different species that you learn about here at Fish Fest, I think that’s a really exciting and special time where we can have that focus on at least once a year for our Fish Fest and inspire the next generations to carry this forward,” Shelton said.

Fran Castro, associate director for operations and development at UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, noted that Fish Fest is a key component of the research extension and education efforts of the program. By collaborating with non-profit organizations, government agencies, and other partners, the festival provides a dedicated space to discuss the status of local fisheries on Guam and the region.

Leilani Sablan-Naden, project leader for Guihan for Guahan, described the event as a celebration of a resource that has been central to CHamoru culture. “This is an outreach event that is meant to celebrate our fish, our fisheries, and this amazing resource that surrounds our island. We have our various outreach partners that are here engaging the community on the various types of work that they do, whether that is science or management…We are just here to celebrate all things fish,” Sablan-Naden said.

She added that this year’s festivities introduced several new interactive elements, including a fisher storytelling segment designed to pass down generational wisdom and a fish kelaguen competition.

Guam DoAg also played a major role in the day’s programming. Leilani Duenas, an aquatic education and outreach biologist with the Division of Wildlife and Aquatic Resources, observed that in a modern world where many people are increasingly disconnected from nature, Fish Fest serves as a necessary reminder of the beauty and importance of the ocean.

“What we’re trying to do is to emphasize that message to our community, that we should care about our environment, especially what’s in our ocean. We promote fishing in our community, like I said, and part of that is fish management. Understanding the fish helps us to manage our resources better,” Duenas said.

The impact of these outreach efforts was evident among the attendees. Svetlana Adzhigirey, who visited the event with her family, said, “This is my first Fish Fest. My 8-year-oldson is just a fanatic of fishing. That’s why when he saw the sign at Fish Hook, we have to make it here,” Adzhigirey said. She also praised the “nice setup” and the educational takeaways at the event.