Education

Ph.D. in Environmental Life Sciences Fall 2022 to present Arizona State University – Hilo, Hawaiʻi

Striving to become a bridge between communities and science in Hawaiʻi.

Master of Science in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Summer 2022
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo – Hilo, Hawaiʻi

Furthered my practice of the scientific process and gained new skills in water quality monitoring and DNA sample collection.

Bachelor of Science in Marine Science Spring 2016 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo – Hilo, Hawaiʻi

Gathered skills that allow me to understand the processes of scientific research and gain a better understanding of the processes that impact or occur in the ocean.

National Science Foundation Aug. 2022 to present Arizona State University PI: Dr. Clifford Kapono

The Honoliʻi Project

Examining the first response of corals to environmental changes due to land-based runoff from the Honoliʻi Stream through the lens of the coral mucus microbiome.

University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program June 2020 to Aug. 2022 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo PI: Dr. Tracy Wiegner

Detection of sewage pollution in coastal waters with river and groundwater inputs, Hilo, Hawaiʻi, USA.

Worked to assess water quality of coastal waters in Hilo, determine the importance of rivers and groundwater as sewage vectors, and examine the efficacy of sewage indicators in a tropical setting with high freshwater inputs.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 2022 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
PI: Dr. Jamison Gove

SE-22-02 West Hawaiʻi Biodiversity Expedition

Developed methods to improve environmental DNA collection from benthic seawater samples aboard the research vessel Oscar Elton Sette.

Dr. Greg Asner and Miloliʻi Community Jan. 2022 to April 2022 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Miloliʻi Water Quality

Measured indicators of sewage pollution in the coastal waters of a Native Hawaiian fishing village amid community concern and compiled reports to inform the county government of the issue.

Pacific Internship Program for Exploring Science May 2016 to Aug. 2016 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Advisor: Luka Mossman

Hoʻopono Hale O Lono

Completed Hawaiian fishpond restoration using hand and power tools and developed a draft best management practices plan.

C-MORE Scholars Program Aug. 2015 to May 2016 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Advisor: Dr. Steven Colbert

Conditions for calcification over an environmental gradient around Hawaiʻi Island.

Determined conditions for calcification around Hawai’i Island by measuring the alkalinity of different sites through pH titration of water samples.

Academic Support Jan. 2024 to present UH Hilo Boating Safety Program – Hilo, HI

Ensuring the availability of boating services for courses, graduate research, and professional research.

Teaching Assistant July 2023 to present Arizona State University – Online

Providing support and feedback for undergraduate students enrolled in BIO 181 Online. Developing curriculum to improve course content and assignments.

Audio/Visual Technician Nov. 2023 to present East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center – Hilo, HI

Providing A/V services for various events focused on enriching the community.

Media Equipment Manager Aug. 2022 to present The MEGA Lab – Hilo, HI

Managing equipment, providing light design, and sharing creative input for various projects focused on increasing scientific literacy to a global audience.

Research Assistant June 2022 to Nov. 2022 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo – Hilo, HI

Mentored a graduate student assessing sewage pollution in Kailua-Kona, Hi.

KMEC Instructional Research Assistant Sept. 2021 to Aug. 2022 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo – Hilo, HI

Assisted with undergraduate oceanography labs and small boat operations.

Graduate Assistant June 2020 to Aug. 2022 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo – Hilo, HI

Trained high school and undergraduate interns in assessing sewage pollution in coastal environments.

Research Technician Nov. 2018 to July 2020 Ocean Era, LLC – Kailua-Kona, HI

Collected data for a range of research projects on various fish species while carrying out general site maintenance. Dissected and collected genetic samples of various fish species. Constructed new hatchery and broodstock tank systems.

Supervisor March 2013 to Nov. 2018 Hawaiian Island Creations – Hilo, HI

Supervised the work of 8-10 staff members while fulfilling my own responsibilities. Improved my ability to better resolve conflicts, improve relationships, and lead group projects.

Sales Associate Oct. 2012 to March 2013 Hawaiian Island Creations – Hilo, HI

Interacted with customers and other employees in a professional manner.
Worked directly with the owner of Hawaiian Island Creations in ordering product needed to improve sales.

Improv for Researchers Sept. 2021

Learned techniques to improve public speaking and confidence in sharing science.

Blog Writing April 2021

Improved writing skills to effectively communicate research to the general public.

Community Research Partnerships ~ Kūlana Noiʻi Jan. & March 2021

Learned thought processes and techniques to strengthen relationships with community partners.

Big Island Coffee Roasters April 2024 Hilo, HI

Community Mapping Techniques
Shared various 3D coral mapping techniques accessible to community members.

UH Hilo Chancellor’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workshop Oct. 2023 Hilo, HI

Pathways of underrepresented students in STEM
Discussed my journey in science and areas for improvement to increase diversity in STEM to UH Hilo faculty and administration.

11th Annual Rising Voices Workshop May 2023 Boulder, CO

Understanding the Relationships: People, Place, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change
Discussed the role of indigenous perspectives in addressing the effects of climate change.

National Sawdust May 2023 Brooklyn, NY

NS+ Presents: Honoring the Resilience of Hawaiʻi
Discussed the work of the MEGA Lab and how we incorporate unique perspectives into the systems we study.

Master’s Thesis Defense June 2022 Hilo, HI

Detection of Sewage Pollution in Coastal Waters with River and Groundwater Inputs: Hilo, Hawaiʻi.
Discussed the findings and implications of my master’s thesis that assessed rivers and groundwater as vectors of sewage pollution and assessed various sewage indicators.

ASLO Ocean Sciences Meeting Feb. 2022 Virtual

A multi-indicator approach to identifying sewage pollution hotspots along the Hilo, Hawaiʻi, shoreline. Discussed water quality in Hilo Bay to an international audience and highlighted the importance of using multiple sewage indicators to study sewage pollution.

Keaukaha Community Association March & Nov. 2021 Hilo, HI

Updated the Hilo and Keaukaha communities on preliminary findings and progress of sewage pollution research.

TCBES Research Symposium April 2021 Hilo, HI

A multi-indicator approach to identify sewage hotspots along the Hilo, Hawaiʻi coastline. Presented my master’s thesis to the scientific communities of UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Island.

Aquaculture America Feb. 2020 Honolulu, HI

The Potential for Culture of Kyphosids and Other Herbivorous Marine Finfish. Presented the progress made with a species new to aquaculture, highlighting milestones that were reached in the last five years.

Graduate College Enrichment Fellowship Aug. 2022 - present Arizona State University

Covering cost of attendance and providing a stipend for two years.

Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation Aug. 2020 - Aug. 2022 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Covered cost of attendance and provided a stipend for two years. Provided professional development funds for two years.

University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Fellowship Summer 2020, 2021 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Funded sewage pollution research in Hilo and provided summer stipends.

Computer skills

Microsoft Office ArcGIS Pro
ArcMap
Minitab Qiita R

Knowledge areas

Knowledge of Hawaiian culture and language Knowledge of the ocean

Field Skills

Fencing and maintaining my family farm Boater safety and small craft operation Hawaiʻi Thrill Craft certification
Aquaculture system construction Water quality analysis Alkalinity analysis Bacterial culture