Akito Kawahara is the Director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, a Curator at the Florida Museum of Natural History, and a Professor at the University of Florida. In 2023, he became the Director of the McGuire Center, which houses one of the world's most extensive collections of butterflies and moths, with over 10 million specimens. In this role, he is responsible for guiding the center’s research, fostering public education, and securing donor funding to support ongoing scientific studies and conservation efforts.

Kawahara’s research focuses on the Lepidoptera order, which encompasses approximately 160,000 species of butterflies and moths. His primary areas of interest include genetics, evolution, and behavior, focusing on how moths use ultrasound to evade predation from bats. This remarkable defensive mechanism is one of the key areas of study in his lab, as it offers insight into the complex survival strategies that have evolved over millions of years.

In addition to predator-prey interactions, Kawahara’s research team explores how other behavioral traits, such as the time of day at which insects are active, influence evolutionary patterns. By combining phylogenetic analysis, behavioral science, and genomics, he aims to answer critical questions about insect diversity, including why so many species exist and how they have adapted to different ecological environments. His lab also investigates the effects of human activity, such as habitat destruction and artificial light pollution, on the behavior and survival of Lepidoptera.

Kawahara has received numerous accolades for his work in the field of entomology. He was awarded the John Henry Comstock Award by the Entomological Society of America and the Alexander B. Klots Award by the Lepidopterists’ Society. He has secured over $13 million in research funding, leading over 20 significant projects with support from organizations like the National Science Foundation. These grants have enabled his lab to conduct pioneering research in Lepidoptera evolution, predator-prey interactions, and the broader ecological impact of moths and butterflies.

Kawahara is a prolific scholar who has authored over 200 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals, including Science and PNAS. His publications cover a wide range of topics, from the evolution of Lepidoptera to moths' use of acoustic signals to avoid predators. His work has expanded our understanding of how moths and butterflies interact with their environment and predators, offering insights into the complex evolutionary processes that shape their behavior.

Kawahara’s expertise has also led to several media appearances. He has been featured in documentaries such as PBS’s American Spring Live and Nature’s Sex, Lies, and Butterflies and has participated in radio shows like NPR’s Science Friday. His research has been discussed in leading publications such as The Washington Post and Smithsonian Magazine. In his TED Talk, "Why You Can Thank a Moth," he highlights the often-overlooked contributions of moths to pollination, silk production, and even technological advancements.

In addition to his research, Kawahara is dedicated to inspiring future scientists. He regularly speaks to schoolchildren, sharing his passion for butterflies and moths and encouraging young people to explore the natural world.

Kawahara earned his undergraduate degree in Entomology from Cornell University and a Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. His doctoral research focused on the phylogenetics of leaf-mining moths.

Outside of his professional work, Kawahara enjoys playing sports like basketball and tennis and spending time with his two children. He is bilingual in Japanese and English and has additional proficiency in Spanish and Chinese. Having been raised in New York City and Tokyo, his bicultural background has significantly influenced his personal and professional life.