An independent investigation is underway to determine the cause of a laboratory explosion last month at the University of Hawaii at Manoa that seriously injured a 29-year-old researcher.

The university has retained the University of California Center for Laboratory Safety, which is regarded as a national leader in laboratory safety. The blast occurred March 16 at the Pacific Ocean Science and Technology building, injuring visiting researcher Thea Ekins-Coward. She was alone in the lab when the explosion occurred.

A three-member investigative team arrived in Hawaii last week and is expected to complete the investigation by the end of April.

In a news release UH Manoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman said, “All preliminary indications are that the accident was an isolated incident and not the result of a systemic problem at Manoa or intentional wrongdoing.”

Ekins-Coward, a postdoctoral fellow, was working with a mixture of low-pressure hydrogen, carbon dioxide and oxygen when the blast occurred. The lab is operated by the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute.

Hawaii News Now reported that she lost an arm in the explosion. She has been discharged from the Queen’s Medical Center. Bley-Vroman said, “The entire Manoa community is keeping her in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.”

The university closed the Pacific Ocean Science and Technology building following the blast and reopened it March 18 after a structural engineer deemed it safe.

The state Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division will conduct a separate investigation.