Vera Wang, a senior at Kaiser High School in East Honolulu, achieved remarkable success at the 2026 Hawaii State Science & Engineering Fair with her project on a fungus discovered in coconut husks. This fungus shows potential for cleaning up plastics and sunscreen from the ocean, winning her multiple awards and qualifying her for the International Science & Engineering Fair next May in Arizona.
Wang’s journey began in her sophomore year, conducting experiments in Anthony Amend’s lab at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She designed an ocean filter inspired by traditional Polynesian weaving, which not only effectively removed pollutants but was also sustainably made from coconut byproduct waste.
Recognizing that disposal was a challenge, she explored the relationship between coconut fibers and microbes. Her research revealed that fungi on coconut husks can biodegrade harmful substances, and some species may be previously uncharacterized, as indicated by genetic testing.
Among her accolades, she secured 1st place in the Microbiology category and received a scholarship award from the McInerny Foundation. Wang expressed her gratitude for the support she received from her mentors and emphasized the significance of her work for the future of science in Hawaiʻi.
