Strategic Professional Development Program for Young Researchers
Top Runner Development Program Engaging Universities,
National Labs, and Companies
Strategic Professional Development Program for Young Researchers
Top Runner Development Program Engaging Universities,
National Labs, and Companies
Associate Professor
Institute of Medicine
University of Tsukuba
Apr 2009 - Mar 2013 University of Tsukuba, Graduate school of Comprehensive Human Science
Apr 2013 – Mar 2019 University of Tsukuba, Institute of Medicine, Assistant professor
Apr 2019 – Mar 2021 JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research Abroad (RRA)
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Research fellow
Apr 2021 – Feb 2022 University of Tsukuba Hospital, researcher
Mar 2022 – present University of Tsukuba, Institute of Medicine, Associate professor
My research focus is on the morphological characteristics of lung cancer. The pattern in which cancer cells spread through the airways is known as Tumor Spread Through Air Space (STAS), and it has been reported to be negatively correlated with patient prognosis. I expect that the causes of STAS could serve as new therapeutic targets, so I am working on modeling STAS and exploring the genes responsible for it.
The research consists of two main aspects: the modeling and visualization of STAS. First, I am designing microfluidic devices that mimic alveolar spaces to model STAS, which will lead to identifying STAS-responsible genes. Second, I am utilizing techniques for organ clearing and three-dimensional tissue staining of tumors to visualize STAS in a lung orthotopic transplant cancer mouse model to validate the function of candidate genes. Ultimately, I would like to develop a new therapeutic strategy targeting such STAS-related genes.
Society is marked by various boundaries—national borders, academic disciplines, and gender divides. However, I believe that many of the borders we create are unnecessary and often drawn unconsciously. I want to be a researcher who isn’t confined by these boundaries, who follows their interests and passions fearlessly, and who shares the excitement of science with others.
In Preparation.