Our Team
Ka`imi Sinclair
Ka`imi Sinclair, PhD, MPH is an Associate Professor at Washington State University and the lead of the HHAPI program. She has had the opportunity to live and work in many communities in the U.S. and learn from, and work with, many communities, including Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Alaska Native, African American, and Latino. She has a PhD in health behavior and health education from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and a Master’s degree in public health from the University of New Mexico. She enjoys outrigger paddling, spending time with family, and traveling.
Nicole lee Kamakahiolani Ellison (Fujioka-Krzyska)
Nicole lee Kamakahiolani Ellison (Fujioka-Krzyska), MPH, is the research coordinator for the Healthy Hearts among Pacific Islanders (HHAPI) program. She received her Master's in Public Health with a specialization in Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health from John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai’i @ Mānoa. She is interested in Native Hawaiian health and access to indigenous foods. Her out of work life is typically filled with toddler giggles, puppy barks, and adventure hikes with her husband, if she’s not in the kitchen cooking or baking something yummy.
Sukhneet Toor
Sukhneet Toor (she/her) is a Research Study Assistant at IREACH. She is currently working on two studies: SUNDANCE (Suicide in Urban Natives: Detection And Networks to Combat Events) and the HHAPI program (Healthy Hearts Among Pacific Islanders). She graduated from UC Davis in the spring of 2021, with a B.S. in Human Development and a minor in Psychology. Her research interests primarily include mood disorders (i.e. depression, anxiety), and she hopes to further develop these interests alongside her research skills as her career progresses.
Some of Sukhneet's favorite things: watching TV and movies with her two brothers, laughing with friends, almost anything with cinnamon, music (rock and boy bands never get old), SNL, sushi, and coffee!
Some of Sukhneet's favorite things: watching TV and movies with her two brothers, laughing with friends, almost anything with cinnamon, music (rock and boy bands never get old), SNL, sushi, and coffee!
Lexie Jackson
Lexie Jackson, PhD, RDN, CDCES is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington State University and a research coordinator with the HHAPI program. Lexie has a PhD in Prevention Science from Washington State University and is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She was born and raised in Hawaii and is interested in promoting positive relationships with food and the body while encouraging diet quality. Lexie is excited to work with and continue to learn from Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dogs, gardening, exploring the Pacific Northwest, and baking cookies.
Marla Alohilani Tam-Hoy Barhoum
Marla Alohilani Tam-Hoy Barhoum, MEd, is the Peer Educator for the Healthy Hearts among Pacific Islanders (HHAPI) program. She is bi-racial and proud to be Native Hawaiian. She received her Master’s in Special Education and High-Risk Youth from UW and holds an endorsement in Health/Fitness through the State of WA. She’s worked with culturally diverse student populations while a public school teacher and social worker in both education and youth employment programs. Most recently, she taught Health/PE in Mukilteo School District and is a curriculum designer for The Seattle Times Education Department (NIE). She was also recently appointed Commissioner on the City of Mukilteo Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission. She is grateful this position weaves her passions into one; teaching and creating positive health & fitness outcomes for her people. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hiking, camping, watching her daughter’s play sports, beach walks, cuddles with her puppy, working out, hula, hip hop dance classes, reading & photography.