Award Encourages ‘Go for Broke’ Spirit

Photo Caption (L-R): Matt Platz, Micah Glasgow and Dana-Lynn Koomoa-Lange.

Story Credit: UH Hilo Stories

Micah David Kealaka‘i Glasgow, one of two Native Hawaiians in the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program at the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, was recently presented the second $500 UH Hilo Community Spirit Award by Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Matt Platz.

Assistant professor Dana-Lynn Koomoa-Lange nominated Glasgow for his research in pediatric cancer, which involves nanoparticle delivery of DFMO-based combination treatment for neuroblastoma. She also recognized his community service efforts to interest keiki in science by leading and organizing activities at the pharmacy college for Na Pua No‘eau – Ke Ola Mau K-12 students.

“In addition to his workload as a PhD student, he continues to provide community service work that helps to engage local and Native Hawaiian students in science and research,” Koomoa-Lange said. “This shows his deep commitment and dedication to giving back to the community.”

The Community Spirit Award was established in September 2013 through a $10,000 gift from Edward Yamasaki, a member of World War II’s highly decorated 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and a contribution from Carolyn Doi Nomura, daughter of fellow 442nd member and retired Circuit Judge Masato Doi. Yamasaki created the award to support students who demonstrate the unit’s “Go For Broke” spirit in their pursuit of academic excellence, including applied research and innovation.

Glasgow joins Mike Purvis, a senior computer science major, who received the inaugural Community Spirit Award in December 2014. Purvis served as team captain of UH Hilo’s Team Poli‘ahu, which won the 2013 U.S. Microsoft Imagine Cup Championship and participated in the Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals in St. Petersburg, Russia.