Chrystie Naeole, Ph.D.
Special Projects Coordinator & Lecturer
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, HI USA
“You have to feel good about what you're doing. I don't like to hear people say, 'Oh, that's just my job.'”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationChrystie Naeole, Ph.D.
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
When she was a child, she had a curvature in her spine and had to go to physical therapy.
Her experience as an outpatient inspired her to study to become a physical therapist herself.
At the end of her junior year at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, she took a “genetics for non-science majors” class.
She was in a population genetics lab that was studying the biomarkers of fruit flies...and she fell in love with it.
Simultaneously, she was volunteering as a physical therapist’s aide; as graduation neared, she had to choose between the two.
Despite having planned to go into physical therapy, she took a risk and applied for a master’s in biomedical science.
She earned her Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, and won an Achievement Rewards for College Scientists grant for her research.
Now she teaches undergraduate biology classes at Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Special Projects Coordinator & Lecturer
I am a professor of biology that uses DNA based methods for molecular identification of species.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Science
Medicine
Learning / Being Challenged
Day to Day
Interacting with students and colleagues.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Always ask yourself "What are you passionate about?"
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Myself:
"I thought I wanted to do this, but I don't think I want to anymore. "
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
Interviewed By
Setting Course
Science, tech, engineering, arts, and math careers in Hawaii
