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 tenure in both executive leadership roles 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. She also previously served as the 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 challenges in varied populations, and substance use prevention programming for at-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 the next generation of mental health scientists, including those from Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and other populations facing barriers to access. 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.