Akela Kuwahara

Akela Kuwahara has a diverse work experience that spans several industries. Currently, they are the Chief of Staff at Siren Biotechnology, where they lead operations, public relations, recruiting, and culture. Akela also serves as a thought partner to the CEO, providing strategic guidance for investor relations and business development.

Prior to their role at Siren Biotechnology, Akela was a Visiting Professor and Fulbright Scholar at The Fulbright Program. During this time, they contributed to academic research and teaching.

Akela's previous experience includes working as a Single Cell Scientist at Gordian Biotechnology, where they conducted high throughput screening of gene therapies for aging-related diseases. Akela'sresponsibilities included animal sacrifices, tissue processing, and single-cell sequencing of lung, liver, and cartilage tissue from various animal models.

Akela also served as a PhD candidate at UCSF's Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, where they conducted research on the transcriptional regulation of tissue fate specification in the developing mouse embryo. Additionally, they were a CIRM Bridges Research Fellow at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, studying the role of VEGF on adult neurogenesis.

Earlier in their career, Akela worked as a Research Technician at Humboldt State University, conducting research on mammalian cell lines and murine embryonic stem cells. Akela also gained research experience as an intern at the Smithsonian Institution and as an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Fellow, where they explored ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity measures.

Throughout their career, Akela has demonstrated a strong background in research and scientific expertise across various fields.

Akela Kuwahara pursued their Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, General at Humboldt State University, a well-known educational institution, from 2009 to 2012. Following this, they took admission to the University of California, San Francisco, where they dedicated five years, from 2014 to 2019, to earn their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology.