Author: Marco Leon

Erin Turban

Erin Turban is a 36-year-old former KCC student from ‘Ewa Beach who has begun her first semester at UH Mānoa for Fall 2019.

She originally started taking nursing classes, and one of those prerequisites was John Berestecky’s Micro 130 class. She “found it really interesting” and is now pursuing a BS in Microbiology. 

Erin enjoys hanging out at KCC.

“I love it here!” she said.

She can be found working alongside a research team investigating Campylobacter spp., a bacteria that is commonly found in poultry. 

“We are looking for a specific gene that Campy has,” she said. “It’s the type VI secretion system, the hcp gene. This gene provides cells with a needle like method of passing on its genetic information to other cells.” 

Turban got involved in research by joining the on campus organization, Kapiʻolani Association of Research in Microbiology (KARM).

“KARM has been a supportive environment,” she said. :This will for sure help me with my Microbiology degree. I get to work with the equipment and learn techniques from Becky Kanenaka [a mentor for KARM], JB [Berestecky] himself, and my lab mates.”

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Voices & Views

  • Voices & Views: Alyssa LaiVoices & Views: Alyssa Lai
    Alyssa Lai is a 32-year-old who graduated with an associates degree in Hospitality & Tourism from Kapiʻolani Community College last Friday at Commencement. Lai attended Hawai‘i Pacific University in 2010 then dropped out due to difficulties in balancing work with school. She had been working full time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lai decided to return to her education. "I needed something I was accomplishing for myself," said Lai. "During COVID, I didn't have anything, and that kind of scared me." She enjoyed her experience at the college, finding that the support of faculty, staff, and classmates helped her to succeed at college while working full time at Hilton Grand Vacations. "It was a long journey, but ... I got back on track," said Lai. Lai is of Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portugese, and Korean heritage. She brought to Commencement a decorated cap highlighting her status as an indigenous woman with a degree, as her heritage was important to her, and she felt pride in being the first graduate of her family. "Joining KCC, I was able to connect more with my Native Hawaiian culture," said Lai. "I connected with the Hoʻopika Program just to understand more of my indigenous culture."

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