Team members

Marla

Berry

Professor and Director

My background includes over four decades in research, over three decades studying the functions of selenium and selenoenzymes, and over two decades in leadership roles. My current focus is mentoring and training researchers at all levels, which I consider the most important contribution I can make to the scientific community.

email: mberry@hawaii.edu

Lucia

Seale

Associate Professor

I am originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and have been working on selenium, selenoproteins and the role of selenocysteine lyase in energy metabolism, specially adipose tissue, for the last 25 years. I have worked in biotech and consultancy, am an avid reader/writer and, when not thinking about selenium, am involved in mentoring and career development activities.

email: lseale@hawaii.edu

Briana

Shimada

Assistant Researcher

My background includes almost 10 years of cardiovascular related research and several years of selenium related research. I am primarily interested in studying cardiometabolic diseases, particularly those related to nutrition. This includes overnutrition such as high consumption of fructose as well as nutrient deficiencies including selenium which is the current focus of my research.

email: bkshimad@hawaii.edu

Daniel Torres

Assistant Researcher

I investigate the many ways that selenium is vital for brain function. My work spans a range of topics, such as neuronal physiology, glucocorticoid exposure, metabolic disorder, and early life stress. Methodologies involve mouse models, primary cultures, electrophysiology recordings, behavioral tests, and cutting-edge spatial transcriptomics techniques. 

email: djtorr@hawaii.edu

Naghum

(Nia)

Alfulaij

Research Associate
Lab Manager

My background is mainly focused on Cell and Molecular Biology with a specialization in Neuroscience, specifically Alzheimer’s disease.  I also have a good foundation in Clinical Psychology. I currently am a Research Associate and Lab Manager in the Berry/Seale lab assisting with various selenium-related projects, mentoring students, and managing the lab. 

email: alfulaij@hawaii.edu

Antonio Soares

Postdoctoral Fellow
My background is in cardiovascular pharmacology and renal physiology. I have collaborated with researchers worldwide on projects focused on metabolism and cardiorenal diseases. My interests are GPCR, ion channels, and the role of selenocysteine lyase in cardiorenal physiology.
 

email: agsj@hawaii.edu

Aurelia Gallagher

Ph.D. Student

I am a graduate researcher with interdisciplinary training in biology, chemistry, and scientific writing, currently pursuing a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology. My work examines how systemic stressors, including circadian disruption and metabolic imbalance, interact with micronutrient biology to influence cellular function and tissue-level outcomes. Using experimental and population-based approaches, I study redox pathways across the lifespan to inform translational strategies for cardiovascular disease.

email: agallagh@hawaii.edu

Mark  Boktor

Ph.D. Student

My background includes research spanning astrocyte biology, clinical neuroscience, and genomics. I am currently a first-year Ph.D. student in the Cell and Molecular Biology program. I study the role of glucocorticoid signaling in selenium homeostasis and selenoprotein P regulation, more specifically its contributions to metabolic dysfunction.

email: mboktor@hawaii.edu

Kayla Colaruotolo

Ph.D. Student

I am a first-generation college graduate working towards my Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology. I worked in biotech before deciding to pursue my Ph.D. and am currently studying selenoprotein degradation.

email: kaylacol@hawaii.edu

Princess Santiago

Masters student
I am a first-generation Masters student of the Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering program and on the pre-med track. I am currently involved in selenium research surrounding metabolism and thermoregulation. I am working towards attending medical school in the near future. 

email: pjsantia@hawaii.edu

Kescher Nakahara-Akita

Undergrad student

I am currently an undergraduate student majoring in Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology and an honors and MARC scholar. My current focus is studying selenoproteins and selenium metabolism in adipose tissue and the potential influence these have on insulin receptors. In the future, I plan on attending graduate school and continuing my passion for research.

email: kescher@hawaii.edu

Gabriela Lagatta

Undergrad student

I am an undergraduate student majoring in Animal Science and minoring in Arts. I am a student employee responsible for mouse husbandry and maintenance, as well as genotyping. 

email: gremedio@hawaii.edu

Kaitlyn Saelua

Research Assistant

email: saeluak@hawaii.edu

Christine Lau

Undergrad student

Hello! I am an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. My current research focus is on the relation between selenoproteins and the beta-amyloid plaques of Alzheimer’s disease pathology, and I am a MARC scholar. In my free time, I love to go to the beach, visit cute cafés and consume anything matcha, and am part of the university color guard!

email: clau2@hawaii.edu

Isabella Flores

Undergrad student

I am an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology (MBB). I am currently involved in research on glucocorticoids and Selenoprotein P. In the future, I hope to attend medical or graduate school.

email: floresik@hawaii.edu

Kian Sanchez

High School student

I am a high school senior born and raised on the east coast of Oahu. I am interested in molecular biology, marine biology, and environmental science, and plan on pursuing an undergraduate degree in biology in Stanford.

email: sanchezk2025@universitylaboratoryschool.org

Alumni and current Position/Affiliation

  • Kian Sanchez (Undergraduate student, Stanford University, CA)
  • Braxton Ramos (Clinical Assistant, Honolulu, HI)
  • Jessica Nicholson (unknown)
  • Noa Brenner (Graduate student, Quantitative Health Sciences, UH Manoa, HI)
  • Lana Ravelo (Undergraduate student, Pomona College, CA)
  • Nadia Apo Takayama (unknown)
  • Brent Underwood (Undergraduate student, Hawaii Pacific University, HI)
  • Marissa Watanabe (PhD student, Cell & Molecular Biology Graduate Program, UH Mānoa, HI)
  • Sydonie Swanson (Medical Laboratory Scientist postbacc student, Oregon Tech, OR)
  • Adrie Mitchell-Butler (Undergraduate student, Center College, KY)
  • Pamela Toh (Masters student, Neuroscience Graduate Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY)
  • Matthew Pitts (Assistant Researcher, JABSOM, UH Mānoa)
  • Ligia Watanabe (Postdoctoral Fellow, Univ. São Paulo – Ribeirão Preto, Brazil)
  • Ashley Ogawa-Wong (Regulatory Affairs Liaison – Global, Merck US Inc.)
  • Ting Gong (unknown)
  • Ann Hashimoto (Retired)
  • Christy Gilman (M.D., Gastroenterologist, The Queens Medical Center, HI)
  • Alexandru Sasuclark (Clinical Research Associate, Medpace)
  • Herena Ha (Ph.D., UH Mānoa)
  • Penny Kremer (Honolulu Police Dept. DNA Analyst, HI)
  • Elizabeth Nguyen-Wu (unknown)
  • Amanda Reyes (Associate Principal Investigator, Intertek Pharmaceutical Services)
  • Victor Young (Undergraduate student, Lewis & Clark College of Arts and Sciences, OR)
  • Victoria Ka’aha’aina (PsyD, Montare Behavioral Health, CA)
  • Kyrillos Guirguis (Clinical Research Associate, The Queen’s Medical Center, HI)
  • Aleksya Batoon (unknown)
  • Katherine Hui (unknown)
  • Katlyn An (Graduate Student, UH-JABSOM)
  • Ashley Hanato (unknown)
  • Stella Maris Remigio (unknown)
  • Jun Kyoung Kim (Undergraduate Student, University of Pittsburgh)
  • Alyssa Vetter (unknown)