BRIT Research Associate

Ph.D. in Biology, University of California, Irvine, 1970
M.S. in Zoology, University of Hawai`i, 1967
B.A. in Zoology, University of Hawai`i, 1965

Kim recently has given up classroom activities after 40 years of university teaching in botany, biology, geography, and computer science. Most of his professional career has been at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa (UHM). Although he thought that he would study fish, it was the challenge of quantitative and simulation studies that brought him over to botany. His dissertation research required the use of computer graphics, a technology that was then used by only a few people. His early foundation in computer programming, combined with a passion for statistics, led him into ecosystem studies. Teaching a course in statistics got him involved with students and faculty across the campus. This, in turn, led to periodic appointments in administrative posts and a variety of collaborative research projects. He was often the person to bring new technology to the solution of team-oriented problems. An example was his development of one of the earliest "computer communication" (now called "e-mail") systems. After a decade of intensive, team-oriented ecosystem studies, Kim took up the teaching of the introductory biology courses at UHM. At one point, he was teaching both the introductory biology and computer science courses, a feat that required 65 teaching assistants just to handle the laboratory sections. His instructional contributions were recognized by the University of Hawai`i in 2001 with the Regents Medal for Teaching Excellence, its highest teaching honor.

The last decade of formal teaching saw a shift in Kim's teaching and research focus from ecology to ethnobotany. This was due, almost exclusively, to the opportunity to work with Will McClatchey, who during this time was developing the ethnobotany program in the UHM Botany Department. Kim brought his quantitative and organizational skills to this discipline. He even took on the teaching of new courses such as quantitative ethnobotany and cognitive ethnobotany. He continues this interest after his formal retirement. Now he has more time to devote to some of the background activities, such as the re-organization of the Conservation Ethnobiology Field School. He is also able to travel more often; this lets him come to BRIT several times a year. It doesn't take face-to-face interactions for Kim to participate in BRIT's activities. He is an avid user of technology (as would be expected) and he is likely to pop up on Skype at any time.

Phone: 808.741.7824
E-Mail: kim@hawaii.edu

Personal website: Link