Contact Info

allexa@hawaii.edu

(808) 956-2713

1993 East-West Rd. Honolulu, HI 96822

Education

• University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology 2015-2021
• University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Master of Science in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering 2011-2012
• University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Bachelor of Science in Biology 2006-2010

Curriculum Vitae

Research Interests

I investigate microorganisms and their behavior in biological systems. With a background in pathogenesis, I interrogate host-microbe relationships and changes in bacterial behavior in response to host and environmental cues such as micronutrient availability. Moving from microbe to microbiome, I am working to define microbiome function in production systems with a focus on aquaculture production. Current projects include (1) deciphering the role of selenium and selenium-utilizing symbiotic gut fungi in microbiome form and function and the impact on health of mass-reared mosquitoes, (2) developing state-of-the-art guided probiotic delivery via live feeds for microbiome assembly and stability in larviculture operations, and (3) bioengineering process design for fermentation of macroalgae to a nutritionally upgraded feedstuff for agriculture and aquaculture. I seek to bring my expertise in microbiology, including isolation of unique and niche microorganisms, especially fungi and microeukaryotes, to develop sustainable solutions to real world issues by establishing and maintaining healthy microbiomes.

In addition to my independent research, I manage the Microbial Genomics Analytical Laboratory (MGAL), a core facility promoting microbiome research. MGAL is supported by the Integrative Center for Environmental Microbiomes and Human Health (ICEMHH), the ‘microbiome’ NIH-funded COBRE center in PBRC (Grant #: NIH/NIGMS P20 GM125508). I routinely consult and provide guidance in all aspects of microbiome science and metabarcoding approaches to make these techniques accessible to researchers and students from all disciplines and experience levels. This involves training on scientific equipment, teaching basic concepts and methods, and providing suggestions and feedback for sample preparation, reagent selection, and data analysis. MGAL performs wet lab workflows from DNA extractions through library prep to support and engage microbiome in Hawaii and beyond.

Click the images below for more information.

Department and Laboratory Webpages

MGAL on the Integrative Center for Environmental Microbiomes and Human Health (ICEMHH) website

Selected Publications

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=uWqgNcIAAAAJ

Additional Information