Clifford Kapono

Assistant Professor,

School of Ocean Futures

Other ASU affiliations

Faculty, Earth Systems Science for the Anthropocene

Researcher, Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science

School of Life Sciences

clifford.kapono@asu.edu

Mail code: 7904

Campus: Tempe
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Long Bio

Cliff Kapono's life involves equal parts surfing as it does science. Outside of a professional surf career, his work focuses on elevating scientific literacy. While contributing to peer-reviewed publications in the fields of molecular bioscience, he has also produced a handful of award-winning films around indigenous activism, ocean conservation, and virtual reality. He has been profiled in publications like The New York Times, NBC, CBS, Surfer Magazine, and more. Kapono is currently based at ASU’s new Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science in Hilo, Hawai‘i and and is an assistant professor in the School of Life Sciences and the School for Social Transformation. He can be found tinkering in the lab when not chasing the best waves on the planet.

Education

Ph.D. Chemistry University of California, San Diego
M.S. Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering, University of Hawai‘i -Manoa,

Courses

2025 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
SEA 394	Special Topics
SEA 394	Special Topics

2024 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
SEA 598	Special Topics
SEA 440	Imagining Ocean Futures

2023 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
HUL 494	Special Topics
HUL 598	Special Topics
FMS 494	Special Topics

2022 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
IED 502	Indigenous Knowledges in Ed