Tomoko Sakishima

BIOL 481 & 481L: Tropical Island Ecology and Evolution

• Taught lecture, laboratory, and field-based undergraduate biology courses.
• Guided students through independent research projects from proposal development to final presentation.
• Developed instructional materials and assessments emphasizing scientific inquiry, quantitative reasoning, and scientific communication.
• Incorporated R-based statistical analysis and data visualization into course activities.

BIOL 124: Environment & Ecology; AQUA 198: Intro to Algae Cultivation

• Taught environmental and ecology concepts (resource use, nutrient cycling, species interactions, human impacts) and guided students in community service projects
• Delivered hands-on instruction in algae cultivation, including site visits to industry and university facilities, highlighting applications in nutrition, water treatment, and biofuels

BIOL 156: Natural History & Conservation; BIOL 280: Biostatistics

• Instructed undergraduate courses and supported student learning in experimental design and statistical analysis while introducing the biology and conservation of Hawai‘i

• Conducted plant reproductive biology research, including cross-pollination experiments, seed collection, and data management
• Maintained laboratory instrumentation and implemented quality control procedures to ensure data accuracy

• Mentored 13 undergraduate STEM students, guiding academic planning and supporting successful internship applications

• Led the establishment of a molecular biology laboratory from the ground up, managing procurement and setup of PCR systems, reagents, and laboratory infrastructure
• Analyzed population genetics data for manuscript preparation

BIOL 197: Introductory Biology Course

• Guided students in foundational biology concepts and laboratory skills, supporting hands-on learning and engagement

• Contributed to research on Hawaiian plants and insects, supporting experimental design, data collection, and analysis
• Trained students in genetic techniques and laboratory safety, promoting best practices
• Led workshops on population and evolutionary genetics, enhancing participant understanding of key concepts and molecular techniques

• Performed DNA extractions and analyzed genetic data to investigate hybrid zones in ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)
• Performed molecular marker analyses, achieving high accuracy in real-time PCR