Velma Kameoka

Velma A. Kameoka, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita of Psychology and former interim Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) and Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship (VPRS) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. During her terms in both executive leadership positions and as chief campus research officer, Professor Kameoka led research planning and implementation support for the campus’ organized research and academic units, strategic research initiatives, research program and policy development, and research education endeavors. Previously, she also served as University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Associate VCR and the Director of the Social Science Research Institute. Professor Kameoka has an extensive research background in statistical and psychometric modeling for the assessment of depression and related psychological disorders, mental health disparities among multiethnic populations, and substance use prevention programming for high-risk youth. Her research and training programs have been supported by various federal and state grants and contracts. Professor Kameoka’s federally supported research training activities have focused on developing next generation mental health scientists among Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and underrepresented Asian populations. She has served as chair or member of over 65 Ph.D. dissertation or master’s thesis committees and mentored numerous faculty and postdoctoral researchers across disciplines. In recognition of her innovative work in research training and mentorship, she was awarded the Medal of Excellence in Teaching from the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents