Patience Akok

Patience Akok currently serves as a COMPASS Researcher at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, a position held since February 2024. Patience is also a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Paths Scholar, participating in a prestigious program dedicated to the professional development of undergraduate life sciences students. As a Gates Scholar, recognized by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Patience is among an elite group of student leaders selected from a highly competitive applicant pool. Additional experience includes serving as a caregiver and medpasser at various senior living facilities since March 2022 and previously directing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at St. Paul Ballet. Patience is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology & Society at UCLA, expected to graduate in June 2026, following the completion of secondary education at DeLaSalle High School in 2022.