Talk Story: Chantell Balaan

Chantell Balaan is on a mission to understand how the gut microbiome affects brain function and human behavior, particularly in people with autism spectrum disorder.

She has been fascinated with science since she was a keiki, running around on the farm and out in Kauai’s forests and oceans. Now, years later, the Koloa girl is immersed in research on Oahu, working on her doctorate in developmental and reproductive biology.

She’s a graduate of Kauai High School, in her third year in the doctorate program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and already has her sights set on a post-doctoral research position on the West Coast. Already, she has bachelor’s degrees in biology and religion and a master’s degree from UH-Manoa.

Balaan is also the winner of the 2019 Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation Award in Medicine.

Her research is focused on autism spectrum disorder, specifically looking at the relationship between the brain and the gut and trying to understand how it’s all connected.

Recently, she’s been with a team that’s studying the differences between Mexican tetra fish that live along the ocean surface and those in deep, underwater caves in Mexico. Balaan took a break from that research to talk with The Garden Island about why she chose to go into the field of medical research and what she misses about her home island.

What were some of the best parts about growing up on Kauai?

In my opinion, the best part about growing up on Kauai is the immediate access to nature. Being from the South Side of the island, I had access to award-winning beaches within minutes from my home. Kauai definitely does live up to its nickname “The Garden Isle” because it is so green. I remember as a little girl, I spent most of my time observing the mountains during the drives between Koloa and Lihue. We moved to Lihue when I got older. However, we commuted to Koloa all the time because my extended family lives there. I always mention that I spent most of my childhood on my family’s farm and, in retrospect, I now realize that it functioned as an early-learning science class for me, which turned out to be the best scenario possible.

Additionally, the people on Kauai are very welcoming and the lifestyle is laid-back; reminiscent of the vibes you would expect from Hawaii in general. I love that there is a blend of cultures and a sense of family wherever you go. I’ve always called my friend’s parents “aunty” or “uncle,” and it is common to have multi-generational households where we spend time with our friend’s families and they become our family as well. All around, I am very proud of my roots.

Koloa is my favorite simply because it was where I grew up and spent most of my childhood. I love the small-town feel that it has, and majority of my family lives there, so naturally it is my favorite place on the island. Koloa also has specialty shops and maintains original building structures from the plantation days, so it is quite charming.

You’re first-generation college student. What made you decide to take that path?

Both of my parents have worked hard throughout their lives so that they can provide my brother and I a college education, something that they were unable to afford in the Philippines. I knew that after I graduated Kauai High School, I would pursue a bachelor’s degree. It was a natural transition. Eventually, I realized I wanted a career where I could maintain many roles (educator, mentor, researcher, leader, etc.), and a Ph.D. degree encompasses all of that.

Let me clarify: When I entered as an undergraduate student, I did not intend to pursue a Ph.D. I really didn’t have a lot of knowledge in terms of career options. I initially thought students pursuing a biology degree were only geared to become medical doctors, and I was just following that course. However, through new experiences came newfound perspective and inspiration to explore my options. Most importantly, it is all about surrounding yourself with people who are as invested in your future and growth as much as you are. I’ve been extremely blessed in this aspect because I’ve always been surrounded by great people who want to see me succeed.

What inspired you to go into the field of science?

Because of my days spent in the farm, I developed a natural curiosity for the world around me. Science has always been a part of my life. I remembered in third grade, we were given an assignment to complete a biography report from a given list of famous people. However, no two students can be assigned the same person. I chose Marie Curie, the first female scientist to win a Nobel Prize, and she is the only scientist to receive a Nobel Prize from two disciplines: physics and chemistry. I also want to credit my science teachers throughout middle school and high school for making science class cool. It was my favorite subject in grade school, as it was both challenging for me, but the most rewarding in the end.

What solidified my decision to stay in science was becoming a volunteer in Dr. Monika A. Ward’s lab at UH Manoa, where I worked under her post-doc, Dr. Jonathan Riel, who was a Ph.D. student at the time. Again, I firmly believe that the people you surround yourself with can have a lasting impact on your personal and professional growth. Dr. Ward’s lab and the Institute for Biogenesis Research not only do world-renown research, but they maintain a sense of ohana and community. This made me enjoy my volunteer work even more. My colleagues were very supportive, knowledgeable, and most of all relatable.

Why have you chosen to focus on autism spectrum disorder in general?

To be honest, it chose me. I was initially part of a reproductive biology project that was doing a collaborative study focusing on autism spectrum disorders. Through this collaborative work, I was trained in mouse behavioral assays pertaining to the core symptoms of ASD. It then culminated into my master’s thesis, where I further characterized mice with a mutation correlated to ASD development.

I have always had a passion for biomedical research because of its clinical applications and its proximity to the medical field, my first career choice when I started my undergraduate degree. I hope that one day our research will allow for a more-robust, yet-holistic, therapeutic approach in treating ASD symptoms.

What is it about the “interplay between brain-gut bidirectional pathways and metabolome” that interests you?

Understanding diseases and other physiological processes within our body is quite challenging, as it involves a myriad of communication or pathways between several organ systems simultaneously. Yet we can observe and experience these interplays within our bodies ourselves. Like, for example, the effects of taking antibiotics for treatment can leave us feeling sick. At the molecular and/or physiological level, it is informative to understand what exactly is happening in this scenario, and determining this is what interests me.

More in line with my research, previous studies have highlighted differences within the gut microbiota profiles of children with ASD as compared to other children, which then generates a different metabolic profile. These resulting metabolites may affect neurological physiology, immune-system function, and downstream behaviors such as manifestation of comorbid symptoms and core symptoms of ASD. I want to understand the trajectory to which these metabolites function, especially in the brain, and find new, robust treatments to mitigate ASD symptoms.

What have you found out about that interplay, and how it is connected to autism?

For my project, we utilize a novel model organism, Astyanax mexicanus (Mexican tetra) which has two subtypes: surface fish and cavefish. They are very different both morphologically, physiologically and behaviorally due to the environment they thrive in. However, they are inter-fertile and can interbreed with each other. Cavefish thrive in the dark, underwater caves of Mexico, and exhibit unique behaviors that help them survive under harsh conditions. In the lab, we have shown that cavefish show loss of sleep, hyperactive swimming, and vibration-attraction behavior (VAB). More recently, we characterized obsessive turning behaviors which can correlate to repetitive behaviors as well a social assay to characterize sociality in our fish. These are novel approaches that have not been previously explored in our model system.

Our collaborator, Dr. Lee, and his group treated ASD patients here on Oahu with the ketogenic diet (high fat, moderate protein, and low carbohydrate content) and found that it mitigated some ASD behaviors. We applied the same diet to our cavefish and saw similar behavioral responses. Dr. Yoshizawa recently highlighted similarities in ASD-risk gene expression patterns between cavefish brain and post-mortem ASD patients’ brain that are highly associated with immune function as we study metabolic/digestive pathways. These results suggest that our fish may hold the key in understanding specific pathways and regulators underlying ASD etiology.

Where are you headed next with your career and research?

I plan to finish my Ph.D. within the next couple of years (hopefully) and I plan to do a post-doctoral research position or two at a university on the West Coast. I plan to stay in the biomedical research field and to focus more on bridging ASD research and women reproductive health, aligning with an institute or a hospital.

My first choice in terms of career is to become a tenure professor at UH Manoa, where I hope to eventually rise to program chair or departmental head, all while being a mother and a wife (again, hopefully). Basically, I want to become superwoman. Otherwise, I may delve in research for the industries or government sectors. My goals are definitely ambitious. However, I want everyone to know that your limitations are within the boundaries you set yourself, so always dream big.

Do you see yourself ever coming back to Kauai to live and work?

I am currently living on Oahu. In the best-case scenario, I find myself coming back to Hawaii and working at UH Manoa. However, I believe Kauai may benefit from a research facility or an institute. In the future, I would love to see a program focusing on research (perhaps research tech) or a research program between Wilcox Hospital and KauaiCC to represent more transitional aspects. It would be a lifetime achievement if I could spearhead something to that extent or even be part of the initial planning of it.

I will say that sometimes life doesn’t go as you plan. So if all else fails, I know I want to be able to make a difference in the community as an educator. As a graduate student, I was fortunate enough to teach anatomy and physiology lab courses at UH Manoa, where majority of my students were pre-nursing majors. Second to research, I love teaching and being able to advise others on their academic and career journey.

Shout outs to people on Kauai?

I want to shout out my family, of course, and the Kauai High School graduating Class of 2009. It is our 10th-year reunion, and I believe we already have plans for it. However, I won’t be able to attend (sorry!). I also want to extend a big mahalo to The Garden Island newspaper for wanting to showcase my story, and for your recognition. It has all been a humbling experience, and I hope that my story inspires someone out there.

Most of all, I want to shout out my parents, Romeo and Evelina Balaan, as well as my older brother Cheston Balaan and sister-in-law Haidee. My accomplishments are truly a reflection of their endless support and guidance. Otherwise, I would not be able to do what I do!

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Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or at jelse@thegardenisland.com