Our Mission

The Taparra Lab's mission is rooted in exposing indigenous invisibility by emphasizing the existence of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHPI) populations in scientific research and health data collection. The NHPI population has been a United States federally defined race standard since 1997. However, over the past quarter century, there is limited attention to NHPI health data inclusion.  Through focused data disaggregation, we are committed to unveiling deep-seated NHPI health disparities, like unique mental health challenges, rates of the unhoused population, and cancer disparities that have long impacted NHPI communities. By leveraging our shared NHPI historical contexts with present-day research initiatives, we strive for a future where NHPI narratives are integral to contextualizing the understandings of the health of our communities.