Keolu Fox

Keolu Fox is an Assistant Professor at UC San Diego with joint appointments in Anthropology, Data Science, and Global Health. A Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) scientist, he co-directs the Indigenous Futures Institute and co-founded the Native BioData Consortium. Fox pioneered Indigenous-led genomic research with projects spanning data sovereignty, climate resilience, and microbial biotechnology.

Research Vision: Develops ethical frameworks for genomic research that center Indigenous knowledge and community benefit. Current work explores fungal biotechnology for sustainable materials, Andean high-altitude adaptations, and blockchain-based data governance.

Publication Trends: Recent articles focus on decolonizing biotechnology through Indigenous partnerships, sustainable materials science, and genetic adaptations in marginalized populations. Interdisciplinary approaches bridge genomics, ecology, and social justice.

Honors & Outreach: Recognized as a TED Fellow for advocacy in diversifying genetic research. Secured funding from NIH, NSF, National Geographic, and Emerson Collective. Leads science communication initiatives through TED talks viewed over 1.5 million times.