Hakase Shinonome, whose true name remains unknown, is an eight-year-old scientist living at Shinonome Laboratories, born on June 6. She possesses exceptional intellect, demonstrated by creating advanced robotics like the android Nano Shinonome, yet displays distinctly childish tendencies such as throwing tantrums, having a short attention span, and loving snacks like omurice, shark-shaped sponge cakes, and strawberry juice.

She wears an oversized white lab coat resembling full-length pajamas, complete with a collar and red tie. Her appearance features light ginger hair reaching her waist, sapphire-blue eyes, and an unkempt style with a prominent cowlick. Hakase adamantly refuses to remove the wind-up key from Nano's back, insisting it is cute despite Nano's discomfort. She frequently modifies Nano without warning, adding impractical features such as concealed weapons or snack dispensers.

Her personality mixes immaturity with intense curiosity. She adores sharks, often drawing them and eating shark-themed treats, while fearing dogs due to potential bites. Though aware of Nano’s desire to hide her robotic nature, Hakase dismisses these concerns, believing robots are inherently cute. This leads her to accidentally reveal Nano’s identity to others, like Yuuko Aioi, whom she befriends quickly due to their shared energetic personalities. Her relationship with the talking cat Sakamoto is contentious; she gave him a speech-enabling scarf but resents his condescending attitude and often mistreats him.

Financially independent despite unspecified income sources, Hakase invents whimsical devices like oversized glue tubes or ineffective biscuit androids purely for amusement. She aspires to win the Akutagawa Prize, a literary award, for unclear reasons. She knows Korean phrases like "Saranghaeyo" (I love you). Later manga chapters depict her attending high school following a time skip.

Her familial background is unspecified, and any potential relation to Principal Shinonome remains unconfirmed.