Brigham Young University–Hawaii is happy to welcome Dr. Daniel DeMartini as a new assistant professor in the Faculty of Sciences, beginning in the Fall 2024 Semester. Known for his enthusiasm for marine biology and a deep connection to Hawaii’s unique ecosystems, Dr. DeMartini brings over a decade of research and teaching experience to the university.
Dr. DeMartini, originally from Nevada City, California, first arrived in BYU–Hawaii as a freshman in 1998, returning after serving in the Australia Sydney North Mission, where he preached the gospel in Cantonese-speaking communities. He graduated from BYU–Hawaii in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. Driven by a lifelong fascination with the ocean, he pursued a doctoral degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he conducted groundbreaking research on marine organisms and completed his doctoral degree in 2014.
For Dr. DeMartini, his research is a passion founded on uncovering the mysteries of marine life. His doctoral studies delved into how squids adaptively change the color of their skin, investigating the molecular mechanisms that drive this iridescence. “My whole life, I have been fascinated by the ocean and the amazing creatures that live in it, so I deliberately focus my protein and material research on marine organisms,” Dr. DeMartini shared. “Every discovery has the potential to inspire advancements in technology, healthcare, and sustainable alternatives for a healthier planet.”
After completing his doctoral degree, he continued his postdoctoral research at UCSB’s Marine Science Institute and the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, where he expanded his studies to marine biomaterials, focusing on creatures like nudibranchs and octopuses. His most recent work explores the protective cases surrounding octopuses' eggs, offering insights into natural materials that resist wear and degradation in water—a topic with potential applications in developing sustainable materials.
Dr. DeMartini has also been a familiar face at BYU–Hawaii, teaching as a visiting and adjunct professor since 2018. Outside the classroom, he co-founded Kuleana Coral Restoration in 2019, a nonprofit organization dedicated to coral reef restoration in Hawaii. Under his leadership as president of the board, Kuleana Coral has become a key player in Hawaii’s coral restoration efforts, having planted thousands of coral structures and expanded outreach and funding. "I hope to build strong ties between this organization and BYU–Hawaii to provide opportunities for our students,” Dr. DeMartini noted.
Dr. DeMartini’s hands-on teaching philosophy centers on experiential learning. “We learn through experience and by doing,” he explained. “My goal is to provide opportunities, encouragement, and motivation for students to get fully involved in the subject matter. This is why I love teaching in science labs—it’s a chance to get students engaged with all their senses,” he added, although noting that they usually avoid the sense of taste in the chemistry lab.
Outside of academics, Dr. DeMartini finds relaxation in the ocean, enjoying surfing, scuba diving, and fishing. He credits his love of the ocean as both a pastime and a professional motivator.
Looking forward to his new role, Dr. DeMartini is eager to engage with BYU–Hawaii’s diverse student body. “I am so grateful for the beautiful diversity we have on this campus,” he shared. “We’re unified in Christ, and there truly is no other place like this in the world. I’m excited to share my love for science and help spark each student’s own journey for science and truth.”
Dr. DeMartini’s addition to the Faculty of Sciences strengthens BYU–Hawaii’s educational stewardship across the Asia-Pacific. In his words, “We have such a unique ecosystem and such a high level of endemism that there are interesting things to study all around us, it is just up to us to open our eyes and start looking. We also have the opportunity to learn to care for our environment and to be the kind of stewards that we are supposed to be.”
