Principal Investigator

Dr. Austin J. Shelton serves as an associate professor and the director of the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant. A native of Guam, Shelton grew up observing environmental degradation and was inspired to become a marine and environmental scientist. Shelton is an Obama Leader, BMW Guam Electrifying Leader, Micronesia Conservation Coalition Tide Changer Educator, and one of 50 Under 40: Emerging Leaders in the Government of Guam. He led the team that earned the University of Guam its designation from NOAA as a Sea Grant Institute in 2022. Shelton works to revive island ecosystems and advance the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He is the steering committee co-chair of Guam Green Growth (G3), the island’s most comprehensive public-private partnership ever created to achieve a sustainable and prosperous future. Shelton leads projects focused on watershed and coral reef restoration, circular economy, food security, aquaculture, renewable energy, science communication, and building STEM capacity in Pacific Islander communities. Since starting his career at the University of Guam in 2016, Shelton and his collaborators built a portfolio of grants exceeding $54 Million, created more than 60 full-time jobs, provided over 260 paid workforce development experiences, and delivered thousands of community-focused impacts. His service roles include co-chair of the Climate Strong Islands Network, board treasurer of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), and trustee for the Micronesia Conservation Trust. Shelton earned a B.S. degree in marine biology from Hawaiʻi Pacific University and both an M.S. and Ph.D. in zoology with a specialization in marine biology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Co-Principal Investigator

The Honorable Joshua “Josh” Franquez Tenorio is the 10th elected Lieutenant Governor of Guam. He is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of managing large organizations in both the public and private sectors and has led numerous government boards and non-profit organizations. He lives in Talofofo and was raised in Sinajana.

Since taking office in January 2019, Lt. Governor Tenorio has spearheaded efforts that embrace sustainable development and has worked tirelessly to expand youth programs and opportunities, reduce homelessness and poverty, expand drug and alcohol treatment programs, and improve the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. He is focused on modernizing the business license and building permit systems and improving public infrastructure including village streets and roadways.

He is the Chairman of the Islandwide Beautification Task Force, the Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Guam Hazard Mitigation Committee, and the Guam Product Seal Task Force. He is the Co-Chairperson of the Guam Green Growth (G3) Steering Committee and has oversight over the Guam State Clearinghouse, charged with monitoring federal grant expenditures and programs.

He is a current and founding member of the Talofofo Rangers Lions Club. Tenorio currently serves on the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) board of directors, an international organization whose mission is to build resilient and sustainable island communities; and was selected by his peers to serve on the Executive Committee of the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association.

Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Cheryl Sangueza is the Co-PI in the Guam Hub NSF Navigating Home. Sangueza’s role includes being a member of the Steering Committee where she attends all alliance level meetings and oversees experience of fellows and Near Peer mentoring.

Sangueza is also an Associate Professor at the University of Guam School of Education. She serves as the Program Chair for the M.Ed in Innovations in Teaching and Learning and also serves on several unit and university level committees such as: curriculum, assessment, student success initiatives, and accreditation.

At the University of Guam, Sangueza is also on grant leadership teams with her role as lead in participant research experiences, Near Peer mentoring, and culture and identity in STEM for high school to early career participants.

Sangueza is deeply committed to designing experiences that illuminate authentic self in science and cultural communities and experiences in science communication. Sangueza has had the honor of doing so while partnering with the U.S Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as the PI for the Alfred P. Sloan project titled: Addressing the Hidden Curriculum: Strengthening Pathways to STEM Graduate Education and Co-PI and Steering Committee member for the NSF INCLUDES SEAS Islands Alliance, and as the lead for student experiences with Guam EPSCoR.