Dr. Akira Sawa

Dr. Sawa’s lab integrates psychiatry, neuroscience, and genetics to develop early detection and intervention strategies for schizophrenia and mood disorders, translating molecular discoveries into clinical care.

Dr. Akira Sawa, MD, PhD is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins, where he directs the Schizophrenia Center and serves as founding Director of the Institute for Mental Health and Neurotechnology (iMIND). A Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Genetic Medicine, Pharmacology, and Mental Health, he leads multidisciplinary research to uncover how brain circuits and molecular pathways drive conditions such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease, with a focus on early detection and intervention. His work bridges cutting-edge neuroscience with patient care and has been recognized by election to the Association of American Physicians and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.