Wakaba immigrated to Oregon at 8-years-old from Japan and lived in the Portland Metro Area ever since. She attended University of Portland for her undergraduate degree in biology and completed her medical degree at OHSU. In between, she researched epilepsy with the Legacy Research Institute and volunteered at KP Westside Medical Center. She chose family medicine because her family doctor was the one who helped her and her family, and she hopes she can give back to the community in the same way her doctor did.

Outside of work, she likes to play video games, go hiking, and draw.