Dr. Yamazaki is also the Co-Project Director of LSAMP, the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program, which helps increase the number or underrepresented minorities graduating with a STEM baccalaureate degree that then go on to pursue a STEM Ph.D. program. Prior to joining Cal State LA, Dr. Yamazaki received her PhD in Molecular Pathology (UCSD) and was an IRACDA post-doctoral fellow (UCSD) working in the Mitochondrial Biology Lab of Dr. Anne Murphy. Dr. Yamazaki is the recipient of multiple research and education grants and awards throughout her career.