CV last updated: April 3, 2025
Ph.D. & M.Sc. in Life Sciences (Plant Molecular Biology) with specialization in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UHM) School of Life Sciences, Honolulu, HI, USA
Bachelor of Science in Biology (Major Marine Biology University of San Carlos (USC) , Cebu, Philippines
Molecular and Cell Biology. DNA/RNA & protein isolation, purification and characterization, PCR techniques, target genome enrichment, high-throughput assays in NGS platforms, advanced microscopy, cell culture, quantitative image analysis, alpha-taxonomy.
Bioinformatics. utilizing R and Python within Unix/Linux/HPC and cloud environments, QGIS, and employing AI/ML and bioinformatic toolkit to NGS data for genome alignment and assemblies, genome-wide association studies, comparative genomics, phylogenetics, and multi-variate data analysis.
ORCID Google Scholar Github LinkedIn
University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) current
Postdoctoral Research Scientist (PI: Aide Macias-Muñoz)
**Investigating eye evolution and neurorergeneration in Cnidarians using model systems Hydra sp. and Aurelia spp.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Life Sciences 2018 – 2024 **Research Assistant (PI: Alison Sherwood) **6 yrs — lead and co-authored 12 publications as part of the NSF Biodiversity Survey of Hawaiian Mesophotic Algae , and NSF PurSUiT: Discovery and characterization of mesophotic seaweeds in Hawaiʻi: genomic adaptations to low light environments — developing reproducible cellular and molecular methods, including optimizing NGS assay library preparation for both short-read Illumina and long-read Oxford Nanopore platforms, to accelerate purposeful discovery efforts — implemented exploratory data analysis and statistical inference in complex NGS sequencing datasets from diverse biological systems using various scientific programming languages (R and Python) and data science workflows (e.g. Linux/Unix command line, cloud computing including git and HPC environment) enabling discovery of over 30 novel taxa, and leading to the identification of novel mitochondrial genomic structures in Rhodophyta — manage several aspects of Sherwood Algal Biodiversity Laboratory , overseeing multiple projects, setting priorities, and providing mentorship to a diverse group of (6) lab interns and (4) graduate students
Data analyst (PI: Mark Burgman) project based 2024 **conduct International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessments of several species using various risk analysis methods following IUCN rules, assessing threats to species, and using argument maps to make decisions for conservation
Smithsonian Institution 2022 – 2023 Research Fellow (PI: Sonia Rowley and Andrea Quattrini) 1 yr design and execute NGS genomic workflow for the specific enrichment of genomic regions of interest across over 250 gorgonians as part of NSF: Novel target-enriched genomic approaches to assess the diversity of Gorgonian Octocorals on Indo-Pacific Mesophotic Coral Reefs
University of San Carlos, Department of Biology 2017 – 2018 Research assistant (PI: Paul Geraldino) 2 yrs conducted fieldwork for sample collection and use analytical chemistry (GC-MS and HPLC) to profile and isolate secondary metabolites particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids in local red seaweeds Halymenia
Philippine Local Government agencies 2015 – 2017 Field scientist (Freelance) 2 yrs conducted and designed field experiments on the following government projects as needed: Bantayan Blue Crabs Project, Bantayan Island Local Government Unit, 2017; Filipinnovation Coral Reef Restoration Program, Department of Science and Technology, 2017; Dry Season Coral Reef Assessment, Shangri-la Mactan Cebu Resort, 2016; Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation, Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, 2016; Environment Impact Assessment, Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, 2015. As part of these projects, I regularly conduct presentations to policymakers and tourists to raise awareness of environmental science and conservation issues among the broader public.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Life Sciences S2019 – S2022 Teaching Assistant (Instructor: Celia Smith) 3 yrs instructed the laboratory sections of BOT 480: Algal Diversity and Evolution and taught the second course in a three-part series that focused on introducing evolutionary history of Rhodophyta and its cellular innovations
Kazumi Allsopp, Sophie Paradis June–August 2024 Rosalie Michot, Eve Cook June–August 2022 Ashley Edwards June–August 2021 Charles Hambley*, G'Voni Kalaiwaa*, Rebecca Katz June–August 2019
*Self-identifies as an underrepresented minority in STEM
Bernice Pauahi Bishop Musem. 2020–present: Content Writer for the Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems exhibit in the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center and contributor to “Taxonomy: Our Lives Depend On It” archived exhibit (July 23, 2022 – February 19, 2023). 2018–2024: Earth Day Table Volunteer, contributed annually to environmental outreach
'Ōlelo Community Media. 2021–2022: Creative Director and Science consultant for Sugilanon, a 30-minute, six-episode series showcasing diverse community voices airs every 2nd Saturday at 6:00 PM and Thursdays at 4:30 PM on on ʻŌlelo 53.
Kalihi Uka Elementary School. February 2023, Resource Speaker for STEAM night. Introduced kids ages 4-11 (400 attendees) to a touch tank diversity of algae and emphasizing their global importance and taught them how to press algae using DIY mini herbarium press kits.
University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program. August 2022, Resource Speaker for a Community Science-Art Workshop Introduced a wide cross-section of the community (30 attendees) to the ecology, biology, diversity of common native seaweeds in Hawai‘i while seaweed-inspired alcohol ink paintings
University of San Jose-Recoletos Science. May 2022, Resource Speaker for Career Talk Delivered a presentation to over 400 junior high Filipino to inspire them on pursuing STEM careers and provide an overview of my research targeted towards a public audience.
Association of Filipino Scientists in America (AFSA). 2021, Resource Speaker for the event Connected By Oceans: Intersections between Filipino/a/x marine scientists by AFSA. Shared my work intersections with art, culture and community as an early career researcher to the Association of Filipino Scientist in America with over a thousand global audience. Talk live recorded with 1,400 public views.
DYRF Radio Fuerza: Lessons on the Environment. 2017, ****Program Speaker for morning local radio in Cebu.
STAND Educational Discussion Caravan: Being a Marine Biologist in the Philippines. 2016, ****Facilitator of this career seminar.
Cebu-Hiroshima International Student Exchange. 2015, Marine Conservation Workshop presenter
Lab Seminar Speaker. Stanford Department of Bioengineering Wang lab October 2024. Presented evolutionary research studies of algae
Guest Instructor. Windward Community College HWST 155: Nā Limu Hawaiʻi October 2024. Presented current molecular biology topics integrated in the study of Hawaiian algae
Guest Instructor. University of Hawai‘i BOT 480: Algal Diversity and Evolution March 2018-2020. Presented research on deepwater algae to 80 life science undergraduates registered in BOT 480 at UHM
Guest Instructor. University of Hawai‘i BOT 201 Plant Evolutionary Diversity October 2019. Presented lecture on biology of red algae and a primer on Hawaiian algal research to 200 life science undergraduate in BOT 480 at UHM
Phycological Society of America Annual Meeting. Providence, RI. June 24**–**30, 2023. Talk titled: A taxogenomic journey on investigating the morphotypes of Hawaiian Amalthea (Halymeniales, Rhodophyta).
Gordon Research Conference: Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems. Ventura, CA. Feb 19**–**24, 2022. Poster titled: Tale of Two Orders: Diversity of Gigartinales and Halymeniales (Rhodophyta) associated with the Hawaiian mesophotic reefs.
From High Islands to the Ocean Floor: Pacific Island Plants at the Extreme: Botany. Anchorage, AK. July 24**–**27, 2022. Talk titled: Chronicles of Deep Reef Flowers: Biodiversity, Biogeography, and Adaptations of Hawaiian Mesophotic Expanded Red Blades in the Orders Gigartinales and Halymeniales.
Hawai‘i Conservation Conference. Hawai‘i, HI. July 27**–29, 2021. Talk titled: Characterizing pseudocryptic diversity in Hawaiian mesophotic red blades of the genus** Croisettea**.**
Global Coral Reef Week Virtual Meeting. July 1**–**14, 2020. Talk titled: Chronicles of Deep Reef Flowers: Diversity of Kallymeniaceae (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta).
Hoshaw Travel Award. PSA January 2022 ($1200)
Phycological Society of America Grants-in-Aid. Nov 2021 ($2000)
Lani Stemmerman Fellowship Fund. UHM, June 2021 ($5000)
Harold and Elizabeth St. John Scholarship. UHM, August 2021 ($1500)
Graduate Achievement Scholarship. UHM, May 2020 ($1000)
Hoshaw Travel Award. PSA January 2019 ($500)
Torrey-Degener Rock Scholarship Endowed Fund. UHM, January 2019 ($900)
NSF Biodiversity Survey of Hawaiian Mesophotic Algae