Margaret Sena Akpo

What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?

Leadership begins with self-awareness. The ability to recognize your limits, seek input, and make thoughtful decisions matters more than having all the answers. The leaders who shaped me most were those who modeled integrity, consistency, and humility, and I strive to lead the same way.

What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?

Stepping into a research area that required me to rebuild my expertise from the ground up; this pushed me intellectually and personally. The process strengthened my confidence as an independent thinker and reinforced my belief that growth often happens outside familiarity.

What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why? What obstacles will you overcome?

To build a career that blends scientific excellence with mentorship, opening doors for others and shaping lives. I’m driven by the belief that guidance can transform careers, and I aim to overcome systemic barriers and time constraints to create lasting impact.

Describe an amazing opportunity in your STEM career.

One defining opportunity in my STEM career was participating in the No Person Left Behind: Biotech Unveiled program, which broadened my understanding of the biotech industry and helped me connect my scientific training to real-world impact.

How was AWIS helped you professionally and/or personally?

AWIS has provided a space where I could observe, learn from, and engage with women who lead with confidence and purpose. Being part of this community has encouraged honest conversations about career challenges, and reminded me that success in STEM does not have to follow a single path.

What is your favorite word? (only one word)

Resilience.

How do you define it?

Resilience is the capacity to adapt, recalibrate and continue moving forward despite uncertainty or setbacks

How has this word influenced or inspired your career?

Resilience has shaped how I respond to failure and change. Instead of viewing obstacles as endpoints, I see them as opportunities to refine my approach and strengthen my skills. This mindset has allowed me to remain focused and motivated through demanding phases of my training.

How does AWIS impact your career journey?

Through AWIS, I hope to gain access to mentorship, visibility, scholarship opportunities and exposure to leadership development. Through these experiences, I hope to gain confidence in mentoring others, articulating my goals and advocating for myself within academic and professional spaces.

What are you currently reading or listening to?

I am currently reading Nice Girls Still Don’t Get the Corner Office by Lois P. Frankel, PhD

What do you consider the best professional or personal advice you’ve ever received?

Stay flexible, be open to change, adapt when plans shift, and trust that growth often comes from unexpected directions.

Margaret Sena Akpo is a PhD candidate in Anatomy and Cell Biology at Wayne State University, studying the role of cell adhesion molecules in neural circuit development to inform potential therapies for neurological disorders. Passionate about mentorship, Sena guides young scientists while expanding her skills in global and public health as well as science communication.