The AAAS STEMTalks is an interview series aiming to inspire youth by connecting them to real-life scientists and showcasing the incredible diversity of STEM careers.

Our STEMTalks series, including video and written interviews, can be found here.

GET TO KNOW KAMUELA

Occupation: Associate Professor
Institution: University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu
Focus: Math

Kamuela Yong is an associate professor of mathematics at the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu (UHWO). His research explains biological, ecological, and epidemiological processes using mathematical models. Kamuela earned two bachelor's degrees in Civil Engineering and Applied Math from Loyola Marymount University, and then a master’s in Math and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Iowa. Prior to teaching at UHWO, he was an NSF Alliance Postdoc at Arizona State University where he studied mathematical epidemiology. Some fun facts about Kamuela are that he is the first Native Hawaiian to earn a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and he founded the Indigenous Mathematicians community! If you identify as an Indigenous Mathematician or know someone who does, please contact them on their website.

In his free time, Kamuela likes spending time with his family, reading, biking, working in the yard, going to the beach, and searching for the best boba milk tea.

1. What is your job?

I am an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Hawaii - West Oahu (UHWO). UHWO is primarily a teaching university, so most of my time is spent teaching or thinking about ways to redevelop my curriculum. I still do some research in the field of mathematical epidemiology and mathematical ecology. Although I am not developing mathematical models for COVID-19, I am using my skills as a mathematical epidemiologist to educate people about this disease.

2. When did you first become interested in your field?

I was always interested in math, however, I didn’t know what I could do with a math degree, so as an undergraduate, I enrolled as a Civil Engineering major. While working on this degree, I took so many math courses that if I just took two more, I would get a minor in math. I liked all the math classes and kept taking more. Before I knew it, I was on my way to a second degree, this time in Applied Mathematics. Although I was majoring in Applied Mathematics, I didn’t really know what a mathematician did. It wasn’t until my senior year, when I took my senior capstone course, that I finally got to work on a mathematical modeling project. Instantly I was hooked and knew that was what I wanted to do. At first, I still identified as an engineer and thought I would develop mathematical models to solve engineering problems, however, I eventually shifted and began to identify as a mathematician who did the modeling of applications. This shift allowed me to focus on any topic, including ecology, a field that I found interesting, but lacked training in. Here, I could combine my skills as an applied mathematician with my interest in ecology.

3. What is your favorite part of being a mathematician and/or STEM educator?

My favorite part of being a mathematician and STEM educator is that I can use mathematics to explain the world around us. Everything from determining how a virus spreads to protecting endangered species to finding the best route to school can be explained through math. Through this, I’m able to encourage students’ curiosity in the mathematical sciences.

4. What is a typical day like for you?

A typical day for me usually begins with teaching. In class, I try to create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions. When I’m not in a class, I’m often thinking about how to redesign my lessons to include more place-based knowledge into their curriculum. For example, I’ve recently integrated Polynesian voyaging into my Precalculus course.

5. Do you have any advice for young people interested in science or the other STEM fields?

If someone is interested in math or more generally in STEM, then they belong there. These fields are tough, and you may encounter difficult situations, but know that there are many resources and allies that can help you overcome obstacles and accomplish this goal.

6. January is National Mentoring Month, an annual campaign nationwide dedicated to celebrating and elevating the mentoring movement. We are celebrating peoples throughout history who have inspired us. Is there someone who has inspired you or is still inspiring you?

There are a lot of Native Hawaiians and Indigenous people in STEM and they all inspire me. Some people are using ancestral knowledge to explain Western science while others are at the forefront of scientific exploration. There is such a wide spectrum in STEM that every one of us has a place where we belong and will thrive.

Hear More of Kamuela’s Story:

• From College Algebra to Calculus II, watch one of the many tutorial videos he created on his YouTube Channel. If you are interested in the math of elections and the math of a pandemic, check out his new YouTube channel too.

• Interested in Mathematics or Statistics and want to learn more? Head to the Math Alliance website, you might consider requesting Kamuela to be your mentor!

• Mathematics is a knowledge system that has a rich history and many cultures from around the world have contributed to its development. It is owned by all of us. Learn about the origins of the Indigenous Mathematicians community that he created.

• The Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for a faculty and a graduate assistant recognizes the dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and UH Mānoa for 19 years. Kamuela won the 2019 Frances Davis teaching award!

• The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) has served as an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanics & Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership within STEM. He is an active member of SACNAS, and in 2017 he wrote a blog about his experiences and struggles through graduate school.

• The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching is awarded by the UHWO Board of Regents as a tribute to faculty members who exhibit an extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness, and creativity and personal values that benefit students. He received the 2020 Board of Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching!