PEOPLE
Principal Investigator
Dr. Jia-Wei Tay
Assistant Professor of Entomology
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Meet our students, postdoc, and staff

Dr. Reina Tong
Postdoc
MS in Entomology from the University of Hawaii and PhD in Entomology and Nematology from the University of Florida researching termites
Email: reinat@hawaii.edu

Dr. Vijaya Movva
Postdoc
Postdoc working on chemical ecology of urban pests, her research is currently based in Hilo
Email: movva@hawaii.edu

Nikku Bhetwal
Graduate student
Email: nbhetwal@hawaii.edu

Beenu Khadka
Graduate student
Email: khadkabe@hawaii.edu

Aradhana Shrestha
Graduate student
Email: aradhana@hawaii.edu
Lab Alumni
Undergraduate
Justin Mew (2020)
Sarah Kim (2021)
Juliana Salehi (2022)
Ulelemaikalani Kwon (2023)

Karim Gharbi
(M.S 2022)
Current position: Extension Agent, Colorado State University

John Mitchell Kirsch
(M.S 2022)
Current position: Senior Entomologist, SC Johnson

John Adam Lawrence
(M.S. 2024)
Current position: R&D Scientist, Koppert Biological Systems
Equipment: PCR system, homogenizer, microcentrifuge, climatic chambers, incubators, insect/animal behavioral tracking system, thermal cycler, microscope camera setup with microscopes, microtome, video microscope, non-invasive microwave sensor-moisture meter-thermal sensor termite detection equipment, etc.