A University of Hawaii AIDS researcher has been named scientist of the year by the Honolulu chapter of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation.

Cecilia Shikuma is a professor of medicine and director of the university’s Pacific Center for AIDS Research.

She has established collaborations with Thailand and Vietnam to identify and treat HIV in Asia and the Pacific.

She is board certified in pediatrics, internal medicine and infectious diseases and holds HIV specialist certification from the American Academy of HIV medicine.

The foundation aims to help meet the country’s need for scientists and engineers by providing awards to academically outstanding American citizens pursuing graduate education in the sciences, engineering and health.