Profile: Srinivas Akkaraju, 36

Board member: Seattle Genetics, Barrier Therapeutics, Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, Vela Pharmaceuticals (private) Microscience (private), Piramed (private)

Srinivas Akkaraju, 36, has a medical degree and a doctorate in immunology, but he doesn't see patients or analyze laboratory specimens.

He works for J.P. Morgan Partners, a private investment arm of financial giant J.P. Morgan Chase that manages about $15 billion. He is also one of two new directors — both in their 30s — that Seattle Genetics brought on its board last year.

As part of the life-science team at J.P. Morgan Partners, Akkaraju focuses exclusively on venture-capital investments in biotechnology. At one time, he aspired to do academic research but became more interested in the business side of the industry after working at biotech industry pioneer Genentech in South San Francisco.

When venture-capital firms invest significant money in a company, they generally get a seat on the board. Akkaraju is on six boards, three of them at public companies, and says he spends about 50 percent of his time on those commitments.

Technology companies, such as biotechs, generally tend to have younger board members than other companies do. Akkaraju said he doesn't feel like he's the youngest guy in the room during meetings.

"For anybody who's on these boards, regardless of age, you have to be engaged, thoughtful, and you have to spend the time to be a constructive member," he said. "One question is whether I will be a more valuable board member 10 years from now, and I think absolutely yes, because I will have more experience."

Kim Peterson: 206-464-2360 or kpeterson@seattletimes.com