Dr. AKIKO IWASAKI
IMMUNOLOGIST
Dr. Iwasaki is an immunologist who studies viruses and the immune system. She is a researcher and professor at Yale University. Her work focuses on how the body can “recognize” viruses and how the body can subsequently protect itself from future infection of that virus.
Immunologists study the immune system, and the immune system is how your body protects itself from infection and disease and stays healthy.
A major goal of Dr. Iwasaki’s work is to support the development of vaccines. Vaccines work by injecting a tiny part of a virus -- or dead or weakened virus -- into your body, which creates an immune response in your body. Later, if your body is exposed to the real, harmful virus, it can fight it off successfully.
Her card was developed by CAPTS and former Hoover High student Fatima P.
Further Resources
Read: “I am a scientist working with severe cases of COVID-19” by Dr. Iwasaki in Newsweek
Read: “Meet the COVID-19 Researcher Whose Studies Help Shape Patient Care,” from Yale Medicine.
Watch: COVID-19 immunology 101 for non-immmunologists by Dr. Akiko (for older students and adults)
Profile of Dr. Iwasaki from PNAS
Follow her on Twitter: @VirusesImmunity
Short STEM STAR Interview
Q: What was your favorite subject in K-5 or K-12?
A: Math.
Q: Did you have a favorite teacher growing up?
A: My favorite teacher was a math teacher in high school. He challenged me to tackle advanced math. Solving math problems became so much fun!
Q: Who inspired you growing up?
A: My parents. I admired my mother for her strength to stand up for justice, and my father for his curiosity of the world around us.
Q: Do you have children, nieces, or another special relationship with a child?
A: I have two children and four nieces and a nephew. Each one is so different. It gives me so much joy to interact with children and to learn from them.
Q: Do you have pets or a favorite animal? What is something you like about being a pet-owner or your favorite animal?
A: I have a dog and a tortoise. They give me a lot of joy. My dog greets me at the door every time I come home with so much enthusiasm, as if she has not seen me in years. My tortoise roams around freely in the house. He comes to me every morning when he is hungry.
Q: What is your favorite non-work activity, hobby, or way to relax?
A: I love to cook and eat, do yoga, and read books.
Q: What is the weather like where you live? Is there anything interesting about it?
A: We have four seasons where we live. I love watching nature change.
Q: Did you have a favorite game or song as a child?
A: I used to enjoy playing volleyball with my friends on the street.
Q: Is there anything interesting you’d like to share?
A: I learn a lot from watching YouTube. I learned how to give different styles of hair cut, fix furniture, make soap, and do yoga. My new challenge is to learn how to play the guitar.