Dr. Rii is a Specialist Faculty member at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) and the Research Coordinator for the He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve. Her expertise lies in nutrient and plankton dynamics in estuarine, coastal, and oceanic environments through various methodologies such as eDNA, primary productivity, and microscopy. She leads the System-Wide Monitoring Program for the He‘eia NERR and investigates impacts of biocultural restoration and environmental change on native and non-native species and functions as they relate to the whole watershed and ahupua‘a (Native Hawaiian social-ecological division) scale. Dr. Rii is passionate about enhancing access to place-based science within their communities, promoting reciprocity and engagement in community-driven research projects, and has a strong track record of mentoring early college, undergraduate, and graduate students through immersive, place-based marine STEM experiences.