Nā kilo ao māiki

I was born and raised on the island of Oahu. Growing up, my family had instilled a strong sense of community and compassion into my siblings and I. I am the oldest of two other siblings, a younger brother, Jonah(19) and sister, Maya(12). I graduated from Damien Memorial School, but it was not until my sophomore year of college when I began to take upper division science classes that I really found my passion for learning. To me, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology were a beautifully coordinated dance in the cell where each and every detail that came together allowed life to exist.  I had graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelors in Science in Psychology and a minor in Biology.  I am currently a graduate student with the Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, under the guidance of Dr. Kiana Frank.  I look forward to strengthening my values of community and better understanding the relationships between land, sea, and everything in between with her guidance. 

Some hobbies that I have are fishing, hiking, weightlifting, and playing my ukulele (although I wish I could sing).  I love stand-up comedy, and I relish in the challenge of making people laugh. 

I hope to take the passion I have for science, learning and the community and attend Medical School.  Under Dr. Kiana Frank’s Mentorship I believe I can and will be able to work towards my goal of becoming a Medical Doctor here in Hawaii.