Dr. Akella graduated summa cum laude from a dual-degree BS/MD program at SUNY Stony Brook. She then completed her ophthalmology residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine before pursuing an ASOPRS fellowship at the University of Illinois-Chicago. She is currently an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences with a dual-appointment in  Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at The Ohio State University. She also serves as the associate residency ophthalmology program director. Dr. Akella is a fellow of the American Board of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. She is the recipient of the prestigious Marvin Quickert award and was chosen as a “Rising Star” by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Akella is passionate about mentoring the next generation of physicians and has won numerous teaching awards for her work with them.