Dr. Tomoko Akaike Appointed Assistant Professor
The UW Department of Dermatology is proud to announce the appointment of Tomoko Akaike, MD (she/her) as an Assistant Professor.
In this new faculty role, Dr. Akaike will divide her time between clinical care and translational research. She will see patients and participate in teaching at the UW Medical Center – Roosevelt Dermatology Center and Fred Hutch Cancer Center. In addition, she will continue her work on ongoing research projects in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Nghiem and the Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute.
Dr. Akaike first joined the Nghiem Lab in 2018 as a visiting scientist, and since then she has steadily taken on more demanding roles as a result of her impactful leadership, teaching, and research in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) cancer immunology. Dr. Akaike has contributed to 13 peer-reviewed journal publications, including seven as first author, three of which have been cited in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Additionally, she has authored chapters in two textbooks, Bologna and Fitzpatrick.
Her accomplishments have been recognized through six prestigious awards, including the 2019 Everett C. Fox, MD Memorial Lecture Award and Grant from the American Academy of Dermatology Resident and Fellows Symposium, and the 2022 Conquer Cancer Merit Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. This new role reflects her continued professional growth and significant impact on the field.
Her research interests include MCC and cutaneous lymphoma. As an Assistant Professor, Dr. Akaike will lead clinical trials and translational research on MCC, focusing on areas such as blood-based tumor biomarkers, circulating tumor DNA, and innovative approaches in radiation oncology, including hypofractionated radiotherapy.
Dr. Akaike has been a driving force in our lab, consistently demonstrating strong initiative, a collaborative spirit, and a strategic, patent-focused approach to new challenges. Her curiosity and commitment have significantly enriched our team, and we're eager to see her continued impact on our department and the future of Merkel cell carcinoma research and patient care.
Biography
Dr. Akaike earned her MD from Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan in 2010. She completed a residency in internal medicine at the International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan in 2012 and a fellowship in internal medicine at the Kitasato University, Kitasato Institute Hospital, Tokyo, Japan in 2013. Afterward she went on to complete a dermatology residency and clinical senior fellowship at St. Luke’s International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan in 2017. Dr. Akaike joined the University of Washington in 2018 as a visiting scientist. After coming to the Department of Dermatology as a visiting scientist, she continued her research in the Nghiem Lab as a senior postdoctoral fellow from 2020-2022. Since 2022, Dr. Akaike has served as an Acting Instructor based in the Nghiem Lab.
Outside of work, Dr. Akaike enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, scuba diving, and traveling, where she loves exploring new restaurants and immersing herself in different cultures. She is a yoga enthusiast and a dog lover. She enjoys spending quality time with her husband, a radiologist, and their daughter.
