The Paubox Kahikina Scholarship helps Native Hawaiian students pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and Tech in general. Its purpose is to offer financial support and create a strong network for these students. The scholarship makes education more affordable and connects students with professionals, giving them valuable opportunities to learn and grow in their chosen STEM or Tech fields. This scholarship is about more than just money; it's about building a community and empowering Native Hawaiian students to succeed in STEM or Tech careers.

See also: The big ideas behind the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship

 

Taylor Moniz is a 2022 recipient, now pursuing a PhD at Columbia University in the City of New York. Here is a word from Taylor Moniz:

“Aloha! My name is Taylor Moniz, and I am honored to continue as a recipient of the Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship. I was part of the scholarship’s 2022 recipient class, and since then, Paubox has supported me through some of the most exciting and transformative years of my education. This scholarship helped support me throughout my undergraduate degree, from my time at Trinity College Dublin to Columbia University in the City of New York, and I am incredibly grateful that Paubox continues to support me for as long as I continue my education. As someone now pursuing a PhD, that continued support means more than I can express.

I am especially grateful to Paubox and Hoala Greevy for their ongoing commitment to Native Hawaiian students in STEM. The Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship supports Native Hawaiian students pursuing degrees and careers in STEM, with the mission of increasing representation in fields where Native Hawaiians remain deeply underrepresented. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this community of scholars, peers, and friends, and I am proud to continue representing Hawaiʻi in my academic journey.

This past year, I completed my first year in the PhD Program in Neuroscience at New York University. Starting graduate school has been exciting, challenging, and deeply rewarding. During my first year, I completed research rotations, explored different areas of neuroscience, and officially declared my thesis lab. I am thrilled to share that I have joined the Zhang Lab at NYU, led by Dr. Stephen Zhang.

For my thesis research, I will be studying the neural mechanisms behind calorie counting and calorie approximation. Broadly, I am interested in how the brain estimates the caloric value of food, how those signals shape feeding behavior, and how this process may be influenced by factors such as obesity, macronutrient deficiencies, and altered nutrient states. This work brings together my interests in systems neuroscience, metabolism, feeding behavior, and the neural circuits that guide decision-making around food.

One of the most exciting parts of my first year has been growing not only as a scientist, but also as a mentor. This year, I have had the opportunity to mentor NYU undergraduates in the lab and sit on the advisory board for the University of Pittsburgh Hillman Academy, a program I was fortunate to attend as a highschooler. This summer I am also mentoring an NYU SURP student. Mentorship has become one of the most meaningful parts of my graduate experience so far. As a Native Hawaiian woman in neuroscience, I know how important it is to have people who encourage you, answer your questions, and help you imagine yourself in spaces where you may not have always seen people like you. I hope to provide that same support for younger students as they explore research and consider their own futures in STEM.

Completing my first year of graduate school has reaffirmed my passion for neuroscience and my long-term goal of contributing meaningful research to the field. Pursuing a PhD has been a lifelong dream, and I am incredibly grateful to now be working toward that goal at NYU. I am excited to continue developing my thesis project, learning from my mentors and peers, and growing into an independent scientist.”

She further states that “As I continue in my PhD program, I remain passionate about increasing female and ethnic minority representation in higher education, especially for Native Hawaiian students. I hope that my path can help encourage other Native Hawaiian students to pursue advanced degrees, careers in STEM, and spaces where we have historically been underrepresented. Scholarships like Paubox make these opportunities more accessible and remind students like me that we are supported by a broader community.

With the continued support of Hoala Greevy and Paubox, I am able to keep moving toward my academic and professional goals. I am sincerely grateful for their commitment to Native Hawaiian education and for the opportunity to continue as a Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholar. I strongly encourage other Native Hawaiian students pursuing STEM degrees to apply for this invaluable scholarship opportunity.”

Read more: Paubox Kahikina Scholarship Recipient Reflection | Taylor Moniz