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Misaki Takabayashi Highlight
I still don't know if I've discovered my entire self-identity because it's a complex thing for everybody.
About Misaki
- Grew up in Australia; her and her friend were the only two women of color in their entire school.
- Says since she was little, she knew exactly what she wanted to be when she grew up—she’s always been into “ocean stuff.”
- Earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in biology from the University of Sydney.
- Then she earned her Ph.D. in marine studies from the University of Queensland.
- She’s taught marine biology at the University of Hawaiʻi for over 12 years.
- Her research revolves around coral disease and coral bleaching throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago.
- While in college, she realized that she was starting to “leave behind” her Japanese heritage when she went to class.
- That started her interest in the study of identity; she recently earned an associate’s degree in Hawaiian studies.
