- Hiking
- Camping
- I participate in a variety of outdoor recreational activities
- Enjoy hobbies that combine physical activity with outdoor exploration
- Volunteering
Melanie Pitiki
HONOLULU,HI
Summary
Agricultural researcher and Ph.D. student specializing in nematology and biological control within tropical agroecosystems. Have over four years of experience in plant protection, sustainable pest management, and soil health in the highlands region of Papua New Guinea and in Oahu, Hawai‘i. Passionate about sustainable management of pest and pathogens, and in optimizing biologically based pest management strategies that contributes towards food security and climate sustainable options for environmentally safe and sustainable crop productions.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Graduate Assistant
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Plant Nematology & Soil Health Labs
Honolulu, Hawaii
01.2022 - Current
- Conduct nematode extraction, identification, and community analyses using Baermann, elutriation, and density centrifugation methods.
- Maintain entomopathogenic nematode species Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis indica cultures for laboratory and field bioassays.
- Analyze nematode and soil health data using R and SAS.
Research Officer – Crop Protection (Australian Center for Internation Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Project: Sweetpotato Pest & Disease Management)
Papua New Guinea University of Technology
Lae, Morobe Province
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Isolated and mass-multiplied entomopathogenic fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae) and (Beauveria bassiana) strains for field trials.
- Designed and implemented sweetpotato pest control experiments across multiple provinces.
- Collaborated with National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA), and two Australian university partners; University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and Charles Sturt University (CSU) in conducting the field research.
Instructor
University of Goroka
01.2018 - 06.2018
- Instructor of two Year-3 undergraduate courses, SAE 311: Soil and Land Management and SAE 312: Organic Farming for one semester.
- Designed lesson plans, delivered lectures, supervised labs and field sessions.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Tropical Plant Pathology
University of Hawai‘i At Mānoa
Honolulu05.2027
Master of Science (M.S.) - Tropical Plant Pathology
University of Hawai‘i At Mānoa
Honolulu05.2024
Master of Science (M.S.) - Agricultural Science
Papua New Guinea University of Technology
Lae04.2017
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Agricultural Science
Papua New Guinea University of Technology
Lae04.2015
Skills
- Nematology: Extraction from soil, identification, culturing, and bioassays
- Molecular Work: DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequencing
- Soil Health Assessment: Nematode indices, soil-baiting, soil nutrient and microbial analysis
- Statistical Analysis: R, SAS, Statistix, Microsoft Excel
- Experimental Design: CRD, RCBD, Factorial designs
- Scientific Communication: Research writing, presentation, and extension outreach
Affiliations
- Society of Nematologists (SON) – Member (2023 – Present)
- American Phytopathological Society (APS) – Member (2023 – Present)
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Pitiki, M., Wiseman, B. and Wang, K. -H. Wang. (2023). Evaluating soil health benefits of four tropical cover crops in the tropic. Journal of Nematology| e2023-1 | Vol. 55 | Page 92
Pitiki, M., Maino, M.K., Buyoyu, P., & Okpul, T. (2022). Isolation and Evaluation of Fungal Endophytes for Agarwood Induction in PNG. 9th Huon Seminar Proceedings.
Awards & Fellowships
- Ambassador Mary Olmsted Fellowship – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, $10000 / Academic Year (2022 – 2024),
- Women in Pacific Studies Graduate Student Fellowship, $500 (2024),
- Corteva Student Travel Award – Society of Nematologists, $500 (2023),
- Tropical Plant Pathology Student Travel Award – UH Mānoa , $500 (2023),
- Graduate Assistant Program (GAP) Scholarship – PNG University of Technology (2015 – 2016). Note: Unable to provide actual amount.
Certification
Hazardous Waste Generator Manoa Refresher Training 2025
Community Engagement
- East-West Center Participants Association, Leadership Representative (EWCPA Board), 2024, 2025, Leadership Representative (EWCPA Board) – East-West Center Participants Association (2024 – 2025)
- Pan Pacific Association, UH Mānoa, Outreach Coordinator, 2024, Present, Outreach Coordinator – Pan Pacific Association, UH Mānoa – Organized community garden projects and cultural outreach events promoting sustainability and Pacific student engagement. (2024-Present)
Interests
Declaration
I, Melanie Pitiki declare that all information contained herein, are genuine and of my own. Dated this on the 8th day of December, 2025.
Timeline
Graduate Assistant
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Plant Nematology & Soil Health Labs
01.2022 - Current
Instructor
University of Goroka
01.2018 - 06.2018
Research Officer – Crop Protection (Australian Center for Internation Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Project: Sweetpotato Pest & Disease Management)
Papua New Guinea University of Technology
01.2018 - 01.2021
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Tropical Plant Pathology
University of Hawai‘i At Mānoa
Master of Science (M.S.) - Tropical Plant Pathology
University of Hawai‘i At Mānoa
Master of Science (M.S.) - Agricultural Science
Papua New Guinea University of Technology
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Agricultural Science
Papua New Guinea University of Technology