The Tropical Landscape and Human Interaction Lab
Aloha, 'O Aliah Irvine ko'u inoa. I am an undergraduate majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Management. This summer I have been working for Dr. Kaufman.
My internship is at the University of Hawai'i in the Harold St. John Plant science laboratory building. The Tropical Landscape and Human Interaction Lab is run by Dr. Kaufman. The mission of the lab is to connect nature and human interaction.
Specifically, the Tropical Landscape and Human Interaction labs' aim is "on the connection between natural features (trees, shrubs, groundcovers, indoor plants and green space) and the outcomes related to healthy human functioning such as, an individuals well-being; vitality of communities, health of the natural environment, providing understanding between/within conservation of natural resources and economic vitality at micro and macro levels.(http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/kaufmana/index.asp)”
Currently, I have been doing research pertaining to Psychophysiological Recordings. This task consists of reading various articles and other material such as the second edition of Robert Stern's book “Psychophysiological Recording." The readings will come in handy when we begin testing subject’s response to greenery for our up coming project.
In addition, to a plethora of reading materials I had the opportunity to help Alberto with his project. Alberto is a master student at the University of Hawaii majoring in horticulture. I assisted him in taking measurements of his plants and trees. I was able to assists Alberto with his project which was located at the Waimanalo Research Station as well as Poamoho Research Station.
Excellent!
By j.akagiFirst of all, I have to admit that I had not heard of the Harold St. John Plant Science Laboratory Building until I read your journal entry. (Which is especially notable, since I have been at the University for more than eight years.)
Your research experience sounds really interesting. For your upcoming project, will you be testing subjects' responses to greenery in indoor environments, like an office workplace? If so, I would be very interested to know how to put greenery in my office to work more effectively, and stay happy all day. It almost sounds like the scientific study of feng shui, as it pertains to plants.
I look forward to more journal entries on your upcoming research.
-Justin
PS: Congratulations... looks like you are the first person to figure out how to post journal entries! Now that you've figured it out, can I ask you to help your fellow interns with their journals?
Groove!!!!!!!!!
By AliahAwesome, I am glad that the posting is in the right place. Boy! Was it a confusing adventure trying to figure this website out
HEY!!!! I couldn't have unrevealed the mystery of this site without the help of my cool roomy!! Mahalo plenty Courtney! Ya rock amiga!!
The upcoming research project will be taken place in Dr.Kaufmans lab. My co worker, Aarthi and I will have the opportunity to show our subject's a short slide show of greenery while the subject's are hooked up various instruments. These instruments are designed to record the subject's responses (brain activity, heart rate, muscle activity and skin conductiity).
It's a pretty interestings processes. lol I had the pleasure of testing the gig out the other week and it was very fun. When things get rolling you are more than welcome to stop by and try it out.
Greenery in the workplace is highly recommended. Throughout the various articles that I have been reading it has be proven that plants make people more calm. Inaddition to improving the wellness of people, plants play an important role in air quality. HEY!!!Good Air is awesome to have !!!Right? lol
Hey! If ya put more green in ya office maybe people would be less crabby ;0) lol jk jk jk
Anyhow, Have a great week.
Re: Groove!!!!!!!!
By j.akagiYes, there are a bunch of things we need to improve on this site. Hopefully, we can fix the user interface so it is easier to use the site.
How do you recruit subjects for your research project? (Would the rest of your Summer Bridge cohort be able to volunteer if you asked them?) I would definitely be interested in helping out if you need more test subjects... please keep me updated.
I do agree that good air is awesome, and plants help with that. However, if an office already has air conditioning to cycle good air, would fake plants work the same as real plants? Or is there something special about real plants?
-Justin