Kupaianaha Thurman

Enhanced patient care by providing daily assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming. Maintained accurate records of vital signs, fluid intake, and output for effective patient monitoring. Assisted patients during meal times, ensuring they received proper nutrition according to specific dietary requirements. Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment. Delivered individualized patient care by recording vital signs, documenting observations, administering treatments, and evaluating patient needs.

As a research technician I worked on the PaclOOS project for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. My primary responsibilities were to deploy and pilot zodiac boats for the retrieval, cleaning, and repairing of water quality buoys off the coast of Hilo Bay and Kawaihae. I would monitor buoy and high frequency radar websites, and report regularly on data quality after collecting information from the buoys and analyze the water samples in the lab. Performed complex statistical analyses on large datasets using specialized software tools.

While working in Region 3 as an Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) member. I conducted intense fire suppression, initial attack, extended attack, and controlled fire operations with my 20 man hand crew. Hotshot crews are the most highly trained, skilled and experienced type of hand crews in the US that fight wild fires. They’re able to deploy anywhere in the United States for strategic fire suppression. During this time we fought 13 fires in Arizona, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, California, and two Tribal Territories. This resulted in the protection of thousands of homes and dozens of National Forest land.

While working in the Gehring lab I studied and grew mushrooms & fungi in the laboratory using Potato Dextrose Agar/Broth and Malt Extract Agar/broth while maintaining very accurate and sterile techniques. This job requires high levels of attention to details. Organized and worked in the south campus greenhouses. Where I helped facilitate the growth of over 300 native cottonwood and willow trees for growing and recording data of mycorrhizae fungi for restoration projects all around the American Southwest.

Worked as a Firefighter on a type 2 hand crew out of Oregon. Majority of the fires we fought during this time were in California, Oregon, and Washington. During my time, we stablished water supplies, connected hoses, and directed water onto wild fires. Constructed many fire lines to prevent spread of fire. Patrolled burned areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that could restart fires. Supported incident management teams with accurate mapping, GPS tracking, and real-time information sharing.

Throughout my time as a leader in the Army I was responsible for the individual training of 9-18 soldiers with focus on marksmanship, physical fitness, warrior tasks and drills, and airborne operations. Providing mentorship in personal, performance, and professional development areas and supervised administrative actions and logistics. I served as a Section Sergeant, Squad Leader, Team Leader, and Rifleman during my 7 years as an Airborne Infantryman with multiple oversea deployments.