Research Interests

My career path has touched on many subjects, providing me with a broad knowledge of epidemiology and biomedical science.  I have performed a variety of lab-based research, including neuropathology, cancer cell isolation, and microbiology.  As I moved into my graduate studies, my path turned toward social epidemiology as I worked with chemically addicted criminal offenders to learn more about the correlates and consequences of their victimization. 

My first job after graduate school was with the Lincoln Park Zoo where I worked in the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology.  Though my primary role there was to build the infrastructure for a zoonotic disease surveillance system, I also had the opportunity to assist in other zoo research projects in a variety of fields.  After the zoo, I joined the Hawai‘i Health Data Warehouse (HHDW) to perform data management and public health education.  Using vital statistics and national surveys, HHDW maintains multiple interactive websites where public health data for the state can be accessed and retrieved.  Additionally, we provided data seminars for the public and responded to individual data requests from researchers and community providers.  I took a break from HHDW to work with the Pacific Health Research and Education Institute (PHREI) studying aging and cognition in the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study cohort under the mentorship of Dr. Lon White.  The extensive data available for this longitudinal cohort continues to inform on lifestyle and risk factors for cognitive decline and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.  Currently, I am back with the HHDW working on two projects involving social determinants of health and race/ethnicity.  We continue to provide data support for community members, researchers, and students.