Welcome to my website! My name is Akira — I am an applied psychologist, researcher, and strategist with a Ph.D. in Psychology, where I trained in applied social and cultural psychology and child clinical psychology. My research and theoretical foundations are rooted in developmental science and relational developmental systems perspectives.

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I currently serve as Founding Vice President of Research & Operations at Power Public Schools, a nationally scaling EdTech organization building evidence-backed systems that transform outcomes for students and educators. In this role, I lead research planning across AI agents, adaptive learning platforms, and educator training, while also designing the operational infrastructure that supports the organization's growth and global replication.

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My research focuses on how student sense of belonging develops in schools, the dissemination of mental health strategies in youth-serving environments, and the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resilience in the lives of children and families facing challenging circumstances. Across my career, I have conducted and supported research in belongingness, social-emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed practice, equity-centered approaches, and research-practice partnerships.

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My aim is to bridge rigorous developmental science and real-world systems change — translating research into tools, frameworks, and practices that meaningfully improve the experiences and outcomes of children, youth, and the educators and communities who support them.