Meet Our Staff
Hilo Office
Michelle Montgomery
Project Manager
Originally from California, she has lived on the Big Island since 2002 where she began her career in Entomology. She has a degree from UH Hilo in Agriculture Crop Protection and has worked for various federal research facilities within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Hilo over the past 10 years. Her professional interests include invasive species and insect pest control, conservation, education, and public communication.
Email me: manager@littlefireants.com
Ersel Hensley
Operations Manager
Ersel was born and raised here in Hawaiʻi, and has a degree from UH Hilo in Tropical Agriculture and a certificate in plant tissue culture. Before joining the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, he was a navy veteran and has also worked in the construction industry. His main interests lie in Hawaiian entomology, biology, and sustainability of agricultural and natural landscapes.
Email me: ersel.hensley@littlefireants.com
Alison Wagner
Research Specialist
Alison was born and raised in Miami, Florida and has two degrees from California State University, Sacramento. Prior to working at HAL, she was with the US Forest Service in Hilo and is also currently a member of the US Air Force Reserves. Her interests include comic books, roller derby, and traveling.
Email me: alison.wagner@littlefireants.com
Melody Euaparadorn
Outreach Specialist
Melody is from New York City and graduated with an Entomology Degree from University of Delaware. Since 2003, she has worked on various research conservation projects on Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu.
Email me: info@littlefireants.com
Kalena Shiroma
Research Specialsist
Kalena was born and raised here in Hawai’i. She received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, and most recently a Master of Science in the Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science (TCBES) Program at UH Hilo. She has worked on a number of diverse conservation research projects in Hawai’i over the past 10 years. Her interests include forestry, botany, entomology, geography, and ecology.
Donny Marez
Operations Technician
Donny was born in Grants, New Mexico and raised all across the mainland US. He moved to Hawai’i from New Orleans in 2018. Prior to working for the Hawai’i Ant Lab, he worked in pest control, specifically with termite treatment. His main interests include orchids, gardening, working with his bee hives and anything outdoors.
Adam Lawrence
Extension Technician
Email me: jal8@hawaii.edu
Kona Office
Kiyoshi Adachi
Extension Agent
Raised in Akaka Falls on the Hamakua coast of Hawaiʻi island, Kiyoshi graduated from Laupahoehoe High school. He has a background in chemical applications and enjoys spending time with family, hunting, and surfing.
Email me: kiyoshi.adachi@littlefireants.com
Emma Files
Research Technician
Emma is originally from Southern Illinois and attended the University of Hawai’i at Hilo to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. Throughout her conservation career, she has worked a variety of field jobs with wildlife, plants, and invasive species. In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking, and hanging out at the beach.
Email me: efiles@hawaii.edu
O’ahu Office
Laura Macklin
Field Crew Leader
Laura was born on Maui and raised on the south side of Kaua’i. She earned her undergraduate degree in Ecosystem Sciences & Sustainability at Colorado State University. Since moving to O’ahu, she has continued to purse her passion in conservation through invasive species management. When she’s not at work she loves to craft (sewing and crocheting), go to the beach with friends, and love on her fur babies.
Email me: oahu@littlefireants.com
Willow Petersen
Field Technician
Willow grew up in the Chicagoland area and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, with a concentration in Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation, from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. Willow briefly left Hawai‘i to attend to family matters, then moved to O‘ahu a year later to work at the Hawai‘i Ant Lab in pursuit of her goal of a career in conservation. When not at work, Willow enjoys reading, creative writing, birding, and hiking.
Email me: asp6@hawaii.edu
