Kiana Miyamoto

Bio:

Kiana Miyamoto is the Director of Life Sciences at CONNECT, where she works closely with early-stage founders, researchers, and entrepreneurs to accelerate the commercialization of innovative life science and healthcare technologies. She brings over a decade of multidisciplinary experience spanning scientific research, public health policy, and venture development, which allows her to effectively bridge the gap between discovery and real-world impact by helping teams refine their value propositions, navigate funding pathways, and build scalable businesses.

Dr. Miyamoto's unique combination of research expertise and entrepreneurial acumen sets her apart as a commercialization advisor. She has published research across neuroscience and immunology, and has been recognized for her expertise in evaluating market opportunities, de-risking emerging technologies, and guiding founders through the commercialization process through NSF I-Corps, Venture Institute, and several Nucleate fellowships.

Beyond her work with founders, Kiana is deeply committed to science communication, education, and public engagement. She has led community-based education initiatives, mentored students and early-career scientists, and advocated for science policy at the local, state, and federal levels, most recently as an ASPET Washington Fellow. Her work reflects a passion for making science accessible, actionable, and impactful for future generations in San Diego.

Dr. Miyamoto holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Physiology & Neuroscience and Cognitive Science and a PhD in Biology from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master of Public Health from The George Washington University.