Mark Akpaninyie is a Research Assistant at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He previously was a Research and Special Assistant for the late Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski at CSIS and a researcher with the CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies. Prior to joining CSIS, he lived in China for over three years, serving as a Fellow with Teach For China and then a lecturer at Baoshan University. He is a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and a Young Leader with Pacific Forum. He graduated with a B.A. in Public Policy Studies from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.