Kahealani is a kanaka ʻōiwi (Native Hawaiian) from Waipahu, Hawaiʻi, pursuing her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania. Kahealani is the first in her family to obtain her B.S. in Biochemistry from Chaminade University in Honolulu, HI. With academic research opportunities limited in Hawaiʻi, Kahealani participated in various pre-gradudate research programs in the U.S. Mainland during her baccalaureate studies. Currently, her research interests broadly span the elucidation of biochemical mechanisms underlying metabolic disorders, including studies of metabolic flux, circadian rhythm, regulation of metabolic homeostasis, and substrate utilization. Outside of the lab, Kahealani enjoys playing ʻukulele, doing puzzles, and watching NBA (Go, Sixers!). Kahealani is passionate about working with her community to advocate for the next generation of scientists. ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia - No task is too big when done together by all!