Keiko Wilkins is originally from Ohio where she received both her B.S. and M.S degrees in Biology from Miami University (Oxford, OH) with a focus on freshwater zooplankton ecology. She now currently resides in Honolulu, HI as a PhD student within the marine biology graduate program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Her research explores the effects of microplastics and their associated-chemicals on coral reef health, survival, and reproduction. She is also a 2022 NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar exploring corals eating microplastics within the three NOAA National Marine Sanctuary protected areas within the Pacific Island Region: Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the National Marine Sanctuary of American Sāmoa.

Outside of research, she works for BWEEMS as the membership management and program coordinator as well as a co-chair for the North American Lake Management Society's: Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion program. In her free time, she enjoys scuba diving, completing a jigsaw puzzle and taking underwater photos.