
Alika K. Maunakea, PhD
Full Member, Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Academic Appointment(s):
Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology (ABP), John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Graduate Faculty, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE)
Department of Public Health Studies (PHS)
Department of Developmental and Reproductive Biology (DRB)
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB)
Neuroscience Specialization Program
Kanaka Maoli Institute (KMI), Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge
Degree(s):
PhD , Biomedical Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
Postdoctoral Researcher, NIH, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Laboratory of Molecular Immunology
Honor(s) and Award(s)
2017, Keystone Symposia Early Career Investigator Travel Award, Diversity in Life Sciences Program, Epigenetics & Human Disease: Progress from Mechanisms to Therapeutics
2014, Keystone Symposia Early Career Investigator Travel Award, Diversity in Life Sciences Program, Neuroepigenetics
2014 – 2018, NHLBI-K01 Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Faculty Diversity in Biomedical Research
2012 – 2014, The Queen’s Medical Center Fellow, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
2005 – 2008, National Research Service Award (NIH, F-31 fellowship)
Research Focus
The primary goal of the Maunakea lab is to better understand the molecular basis of environmental and epigenetic interactions that consequently influence cellular phenotypes relevant to health outcomes, in particular those that underlie neurological deficiencies, cardiometabolic disorders, and cancer. The majority of the research in the lab involves investigating how DNA methylation and histone modifications collectively operate to inform transcript heterogeneity through interactions with the basal transcription machinery, pre-mRNA splicing factors, and chromatin-associated proteins in the context of normal development and how alterations to these components of the chromatin landscape contribute to disease. To enable this research, high-throughput massively parallel genomic sequencing coupled with various immunoprecipitation technologies (i.e. MeDIP-Seq, ChIP-Seq, ChIA-PET, HiC-Seq, etc) and transcriptomic assays (i.e. RNA-Seq, Ampli-Seq, etc) are integrated using bioinformatic tools. It is anticipated that results from these research activities will lead to a better understanding of disease etiology, and thereby provide new avenues for disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Partnerships and collaborations with several other divisions within the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (i.e. Institute for Biogenesis Research, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Office of Public Health Studies, Hawaiʻinuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization), University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Chaminade University of Honolulu, MAʻO Organic Farms, and others collectively contribute to research and educational activities in the Maunakea lab.
Inherent in the traditional Native Hawaiian concept of health (mauli ola) is the understanding that environmental factors, including nutrition and social behaviors, trans-generationally impact health outcomes in individuals and communities. Epigenetic mechanisms may now explain molecular links between these environmental factors and health outcomes. Research in the Maunakea lab focuses on elucidating the molecular functions of epigenetic mechanisms and how they play a role in gene-environment interactions that underlie diseases of health disparity afflicting the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations through a Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach and community partnerships. These studies also involve investigating the relationship between the human gut microbiome composition (using a 16S metagenomics approach), epigenetic regulation of immune cell function, and health, thereby empowering community-based organizations with evidence-based research.
Selected Publications
Dye C., Corley M., Ing C., Lum-Jones A., Li D., Mau, M. Maunakea AK. Shifts in the Immunoepigenomic Landscape of Monocytes in Response to an Education and Social Support Intervention among Native Hawaiian Adults with Diabetes Mellitus. Clinical Epigenetics (in review)
Miller CB, Benny P, Riel J, Boushey C, Perez R, Khadka V, Qin Y, Maunakea AK, Lee MJ. (2021). Adherence to Mediterranean diet impacts gastrointestinal microbial diversity throughout pregnancy. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth; Aug 16;21(1):558. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-04033-8. PMID: 34399704; PMCID: PMC8369757.
Rubas N., and Maunakea A. (2021). Immunoepigenetic-Microbiome Axis: Implications for Health Disparities Research in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Hawai'i J Health Soc Welf; Aug;80(8):195-198. PMID: 34355196.
Shiohama T, Ortug A, Alatorre Warren JL, Valli B, Levman J, Faja SK, Tsujimura K, Maunakea AK, Takahashi E. (2021). Small nucleus accumbens and large cerebral ventricles in infants and toddlers prior to receiving diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder. Cereb Cortex. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhab283
Corley MJ, Vargas-Maya N, Pang APS, Lum-Jones A, Li D, Khadka V, Sultana R, Blanchard DC, Maunakea AK. (2019). Epigenetic Delay in the Neurodevelopmental Trajectory of DNA Methylation States in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Gene; Oct 1;10:907. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00907. PMID: 31681403
Dye CK, Corley MJ, Li D, Khadka VS, Mitchell BI, Sultana R, Lum-Jones A, Shikuma CM, Ndhlovu LC, Maunakea AK. (2019). Comparative DNA methylomic analyses reveal potential origins of novel epigenetic biomarkers of insulin resistance in monocytes from virally suppressed HIV-infected adults. Clin Epigenetic; Jun 28;11(1):95. doi: 10.1186/s13148-019-0694-1. PMID: 31253200
Publication list via NIH MyBibliography
Active Grants
A. Maunakea, Co-Investigator; Berry, PI
NIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences
P20GM139753-01A1
“Integrative Center for Precision Nutrition and Human Health”
12/2021 -11/2026
A. Maunakea, PI
NIH/National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
R01MD016593-01
“Socioecological Determinants of Immunoepigenetic Signatures of Diabetes Risk in Indigenous Communities”
07/2021 – 06/2026
A. Maunakea, Co-Investigator; Enos, PI
DHHS/Office of Minority Health
OMH
“Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity”
07/2021 – 06/2026
A. Maunakea, Co-PI
NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
OT2HD108105
“Empowering Schools as Community Assets to Mitigate the Adverse Impacts of COVID-19”
06/2021 – 06/2023
A. Maunakea, Project Leader; Hedges, PI
NIH/National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
U54MD007601
“Social Immunoepigenetic Conditioning of Diabetes Disparities”
09/2017 – 08/2022
A. Maunakea, Co-Director; Hedges, PI
NIH/National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
U54MD007601-34S2
“Community Driven Approach to Mitigate COVID 19 Disparities in Hawaii's Vulnerable Populations”
09/2020 – 06/2022