Akiko Yoshinaga joined the lab as a postdoctoral research fellow in May 2023. Before starting her basic research career, she worked as a plastic reconstructive surgeon in Japan. Through her experience in bedside practice,  she realized that there are unmet medical needs that still need to be addressed in patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). She then started working on clinical research and surgeries for NF1 patients in 2017. In the Cichowski lab, Akiko is working on developing effective combination therapies for patients with Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNSTs). Her goal is to continue contributing to research to rescue NF1 patients from their diseases. Outside of the lab, she enjoys travel and local foods.