Maria Steadmon, a 2019 graduate from the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo who earned her doctoral degree this summer from UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹, has charted an inspiring path from student-athlete to microbiologist in Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s public health sector.
Recently appointed to the Â鶹´«Ã½ Department of Health¡¯s State Laboratories Division, Steadmon now monitors respiratory viruses in wastewater across the state—a critical role informed by her deep commitment to environmental health and resilience.
Growing up in Huntington Beach, California, Steadmon developed her skills as a standout softball player and a love for the ocean.
“One of my favorite things to do was to go down to the beach with my friends, go swim, watch people surfing,” said Steadmon. “Through that I realized I wanted to do something that kept me close to the ocean.”
Navigating scholar, athlete roles
When she found UH Hilo¡¯s marine science program, it was a perfect match. A softball scholarship sealed the deal, allowing her to pursue both passions. Balancing her roles as a scholar and an athlete at UH Hilo did present some challenges.
“We¡¯re the only school in the nation that has to fly to every away game,” Steadmon said. “It takes a lot of time and energy, but it was worth every bit.”
- Related UH News story: 2 softball players earn UH Hilo athletic honors, March 28, 2019
She credits her coaches and faculty alike for supporting her journey. Steadmon said Tracy Wiegner, a marine science professor at UH Hilo guided her through a senior research project on water quality in East Â鶹´«Ã½.
Steadmon graduated from UH Hilo with a BS in marine science with high honors.
Foundational research
Steadmon¡¯s years of research at UH Hilo, addressing the rising concern of microbial pollution in Hilo Bay, culminated in a published study on Staphylococcus aureus and fecal bacteria in Hawaiian waters, co-authored with Professor Wiegner. Reflecting on her journey, she credits UH Hilo as pivotal in her career: “UH Hilo was definitely the foundation for me, to build as a scientist and as a person.”
- Related UH News story: Rising public risk of infection at Hilo Bay linked to climate change, August 12, 2024
Serendipitous encounter
While living in Hilo, she was doing volunteer work at K¨©holo fishpond in Kona and met a faculty member from UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ who had just received a grant to do waterborne pathogen research.
“I was asked to join Dr. Kiana Frank¡¯s lab as a PhD student. My focus was ,” said Steadmon. “We had never met before, and it was just crazy chance that we started talking and then she asked me to be her graduate student.”
While at UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹, she also worked as a research assistant for the .
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—By Sophia Kim-O’Sullivan
