Akshay Maheshwari

Akshay is an MD/PhD candidate in the Bioengineering department at Stanford University working jointly with Prof. Drew Endy and Prof. Roseanna Zia. His research focuses on the interface between colloidal physics — how molecules move in cells — and synthetic biology, where he is developing methods for building synthetic cells. His ultimate goal is to enable operational mastery of living matter, sufficient to safely construct and effectively control cells that are unconstrained by evolutionary lineage. As a Bio Futures Fellow, he hopes to develop ways to ensure that such emergent cellular biotechnology is equitable, just, and globally accessible. Akshay holds an M.S. in Bioengineering from Stanford University and a B.S. in Bioengineering: Biotechnology from UC San Diego, where he graduated summa cum laude. He enjoys reading science fiction and philosophy, exploring the outdoors, and mentoring.