Akito Kawahara is the Director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity at the Florida Museum of Natural History, a Curator at the same museum, and a Professor at the University of Florida. He began his tenure as Director of the McGuire Center in 2023, where he leads one of the most extensive collections of butterflies and moths globally, with over 10 million specimens. His role involves managing the center’s research, developing educational programs, and cultivating relationships with donors to support the center’s ongoing work in Lepidoptera research. Kawahara's research focuses on Lepidoptera, a group of insects that includes over 160,000 species of butterflies and moths. His scientific interests lie in understanding the evolutionary and genetic factors contributing to their diversity. One of his key research areas is how moths produce ultrasound as a defense mechanism against bat predation. This work has led him to study the evolutionary processes behind such complex behaviors and how these mechanisms help these insects survive. In addition to predator-prey dynamics, Kawahara’s lab investigates broader questions related to insect diversity and evolution. His team looks at how various factors, such as the time of day an insect is active, influence the development of specific traits within species. By combining phylogenetic methods, behavioral studies, and genomics, he aims to understand why there are so many different insect species and how they have evolved. His research also considers the effects of human activities, including habitat destruction and artificial light, on the behavior and survival of Lepidoptera. Kawahara’s contributions to entomology have earned him several accolades. Among his awards are the John Henry Comstock Award from the Entomological Society of America, the Alexander B. Klots Award from the Lepidopterists’ Society, and the Research Foundation Professorship Award from the University of Florida. He has also successfully led over 20 major research projects, securing over $13 million in funding from organizations like the National Science Foundation and other research institutions. These funds have enabled him to investigate various aspects of moth and butterfly evolution, their defense mechanisms, and their role in ecosystems. Kawahara is a prolific writer, authoring over 200 peer-reviewed papers in journals such as Science and PNAS. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of moth and butterfly evolution, acoustic defenses in moths, and how bats influence moth behavior. Kawahara's research has also drawn attention in the media. He has appeared in several television programs and documentaries, including PBS’s American Spring Live, Nature’s Sex, Lies, and Butterflies, and NPR’s Science Friday. His work has been featured in The Washington Post and Smithsonian Magazine. In his TED Talk, "Why You Can Thank a Moth," he discusses how moths contribute to pollination, silk production, and even technological innovations despite being largely misunderstood. Beyond his research, Kawahara is committed to inspiring future generations of scientists. He frequently engages with students by giving presentations on the fascinating world of butterflies and moths, encouraging curiosity about the natural world. Kawahara holds an undergraduate degree in Entomology from Cornell University, followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, where his research focused on the phylogenetics of leaf-mining moths. In his personal life, Kawahara enjoys basketball, tennis, billiards, and spending time with his two children. He is fluent in Japanese and English and proficient in Spanish and Chinese. Growing up between New York City and Tokyo, his bicultural background has profoundly influenced his career and personal life.