Kiana Frank

Assistant Professor, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Kiana Frank serves as an assistant professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and studies how microorganisms (the smallest forms of life that live on land and in water) shape the land for productivity and health by weaving contemporary western techniques with Native Hawaiian Science. Her work evaluates overall ecosystem health and informs current monitoring, restoration, cultivation, and management of Hawaiian resources to sustainably support the people of Hawaii. She has strong relationships working within communities using scientific hands-on experiences in native ecosystems, our natural laboratories, to inspire the younger Hawaiian generations to cultivate a connection to science through their culture.