Elchung Gladys Hideyos

Tell us about your work/ research. What kinds of things do you do?

My background is in environmental studies, conservation, and management. My current work focuses on critical issues in food security especially in the face of climate change and sharing that knowledge with Palauan youth and communities. I create programs for youths to have hands-on experiences in agriculture and aquaculture while trying to make it fun and exciting. I'm currently working with elementary school 8th graders to create table gardens, where I bring high school and community college agriculture students to peer mentor the activities in farming. I have developed outreach materials like games, activity booklets, stickers, and posters to increase awareness about food security. I also mentor high school and community college students in research projects that focus on a critical food issues in Palau. Aside from working with students, I do tissue culture training in the lab, I do data collection on soil and water qualities for soil inundation research, and I do have experience in sea cucumber spawning.
 

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

So growing up on a small island, (but large ocean state) like Palau, I always had a passion for oceans and environment. It is embedded in our Palauan culture to always respect nature and the resources we rely on for our livelihoods. In addition to that, my mother worked in conservation for many years when I was growing up and that is what really sparked my passion in environment. To explore the deep ocean is very interested to me as it will expand my knowledge in Palau's environment. I also realized in my early career that I enjoy learning and teaching the youth. I enjoy taking them out in nature to learn modern science research, but also learn Palauan indigenous knowledge connected to our environment that way they become more aware and stewards of their own home.
 

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

My mother guided me into the environmental career when I was growing up. She always brought me with her to her outdoor and community events in conservation, even when I didn't want to go. Later I was very thankful for it because it was a segue for me in my early career to already know and network with other environmental groups. My university advisor from my undergraduate and graduate schooling were great mentors who guided and pushed me to be the voice of my small island country. Another person who influenced me is Ann Singeo, who is an environmental activist and director of a local conservation NGO (Ebiil Society, Inc.) in Palau. She was my first mentor and boss when I first started my internship and career. She has guided me to be a voice for the youth and our communities in natural resource management, conservation, indigenous knowledge and modern science.
 

What element of your work/ study do you think is the most fascinating?

The most fascinating thing I have done is going on a traditional canoe-open ocean voyage in 2019. It was such an amazing experience travel from Palau to Ngulu Island in Yap, FSM. This trip we watched the traditional navigators use the stars and the ocean currents to lead us. We watched them use traditional weather predictions. We heard their stories about past voyages that were way more dangerous than the one we were on. It made me appreciate traditional knowledge and island resiliency. It made me proud to be a Palauan and a Pacific Islander.
 

How did you get involved with Ocean Exploration Trust? How did you become part of the expedition team?

I heard about the Nautilus expeditions through a colleague from Palau in a different program. I applied for the Science Communications Fellowship after being excited to learn it was open also to informal educators. I never saw myself as an educator, but in my early career I came to find out that I enjoy teaching and working with youth and community members.
 

What other jobs led you to your current career?

I have had lots of opportunities in the conservation sector with sea bird monitoring, sea turtle monitoring, coral reef monitoring, sea cucumber spawning. My current career is focused on food security (agriculture and aquaculture) so my perspective is similar to previous jobs but looking at increasing food production and resilient food systems.
 

What are your degrees and certifications?

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies-- Chaminade University of Honolulu 2018

Masters of Arts in Global Environmental Studies with a focus on women's fisheries conservation, management, and policy in Palau--Sophia University, Tokyo 2021
 

What are your hobbies?

I like cooking and baking. I like snorkeling and SCUBA diving, mostly being outdoors. I like playing pingpong, volleyball, and basketball. I also love learning about history and enjoy going to museums.
 

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?

If you want to go into environmental/conservation work, you need to make sure you have it in your heart. You need a passion for environmental work because it is a very hard and time-consuming career. You can learn all the science you want but if you don't have that connection in your heart to your environment, the work can become very draining. All you need is passion, an open mind, and a drive to push you in any environmental career.