Maria Steadmon, a 2019 graduate from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo who earned her doctoral degree this summer from 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补, has charted an inspiring path from student-athlete to microbiologist in Hawaiʻi’s public health sector.
Recently appointed to the Hawaiʻi 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 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 News story: 2 softball players earn 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo guided her through a senior research project on water quality in East Hawaiʻi.
Steadmon graduated from 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo with a BS in marine science with high honors.
Foundational research
Steadmon’s years of research at 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo as pivotal in her career: “糖心Vlog官方 Hilo was definitely the foundation for me, to build as a scientist and as a person.”
- Related 糖心Vlog官方 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 Kīholo fishpond in Kona and met a faculty member from 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补 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 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补, she also worked as a research assistant for the .
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—By Sophia Kim-O’Sullivan
