Throwing shakas at the pau hana after a Friday SoLS seminar!

Assistant Professor of Microbiology and PATH Group Leader

Outside of professional life (plenty of details in the CV below) I love the outdoors and the beach.  I also enjoy music of all kinds. Playing the guitar is an old past time of mine that I still manage to find time for. Traveling and new experiences are a thrill that often go along with the global health work the group does.  scholar.google.com/citations?user=w0nSthcAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao 

Prashant Dahal, a dedicated Microbiology PhD student at UH Manoa under Dr. Michael Norris, originates from Nepal. With a fervor for microbiology, his research focus spans pathogenic organisms, antimicrobial resistance, and infectious disease, particularly Burkholderia pseudomallei. Passionate about trekking, cooking, and exploring new things, Prashant finds his true calling in a microbiology laboratory. He aims to contribute valuable insights to the global understanding of antimicrobial resistance, pneumonia, and novel antimicrobials.  

Rachael Downham is a Ph.D. student in the Cellular and Molecular Biology department at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine. She earned her B.S. in Biology with a pre-medical concentration and minor in Chemistry from Hawaiʻi Pacific University. Prior to her doctoral training, she worked in clinical diagnostics, infectious disease surveillance, and next-generation sequencing, including positions supporting the U.S. Army and Department of Defense at Tripler Army Medical Center. Her current research integrates whole-genome sequencing, comparative genomics, population genetics, and reverse vaccinology to characterize Campylobacter diversity and identify potential vaccine targets. She has worked in infectious disease genomics since 2020 and has focused specifically on Campylobacter genomics and vaccine development since beginning her doctoral research in 2022. She is very interested in field genomics/diagnostics of infectious pathogens in addition to outbreak mitigation strategies. 

Håfa Adai! I’m Therese, a passionate Microbiology PhD student working under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Norris. Originally from the beautiful island of Guam, I’ve lived in many places, each shaping my adaptability and drive. My research passion lies in zoonotic and emerging diseases, with a particular focus on those involving bats and swine. Outside the laboratory, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, exploring new places, and seeking out new adventures together.

Liam Fressie is a Master’s student at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, working in the PATH Group. His research interests bridge wildlife biology, disease ecology, and microbiological techniques, with a focus on understanding pathogen dynamics in wildlife populations. Before joining UH Mānoa, Liam worked with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Wildlife Research, where he gained extensive field and laboratory experience in wildlife monitoring, disease diagnostics, and ecological data analysis. He has contributed to projects on carnivore population monitoring, bat acoustic surveys, and pathogen testing in feral swine. Liam is passionate about applying interdisciplinary approaches to improve wildlife health management and conservation practices

Vaillante Bandini is a master’s student at UH Mānoa, working under Dr. Michael Norris in the PATH Group. His dedication to infection biology during his undergraduate studies led him to investigate cell structural gene knockouts and their interactions with Burkholderia pseudomallei. Inspired by this foundational research, he pursued his masters degree under the guidance of Dr. Norris to expand his work in virology and epidemiology. By combining his passion for island ecosystems and disease reservoir modeling, he seeks to examine transmission vectors across the Indo-Pacific region to advance local population health. Val is a former Microbiology BS student from UHM and was a recipient of a UROP award. 

I am an undergraduate student at UH Manoa majoring in Biology with a strong interest in infectious diseases and immunology. I’m excited to learn more molecular techniques and research skills that will help me better understand pathogen interactions and disease mechanism. Outside of academics, I enjoy going to the beach and exploring new foods with friends. My goal is to become a physician and work in underserved areas, where I can make a difference by improving healthcare access and outcomes for underrepresented communities.

I’m an undergraduate student here at UH Manoa and I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology. Some of my hobbies include baking, swimming and bowling. I’m intrigued by the field of pathology, specifically related to viruses and bacteria. This is why I’m excited to work under Dr. Michael Norris to work with Burkholderia, specifically gene knockouts and the effect of these on immunosuppressive regulation in this bacteria. I love working in the lab and learning new techniques, and I’m eager to learn more about this field. Eventually, I’d like to work in a research/clinical lab to help find cures for infectious diseases (i.e. vaccines).