Fellows (1st-term)

Biography

2005-08 Research fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
2008　　 Ph.D. Hiroshima University
2008-13 Research fellow, Japan Somnology Center, Neuropsychiatric Research Institute
2011-13 Postdoctoral fellow for Research Abroad, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
2011-13 Postdoctoral fellow, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
2013-16 Aerospace project research associate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
2016-17 Senior researcher, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
2017- Associate professor/Principal Investigator, International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine(WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba

Research Outline

Our laboratory aims to understand human mind and behavior related to sleep in the fields of psychophysiology and neuroscience. Currently, we are focusing on two main areas of research: (1) understanding the role of REM sleep in waking emotional processing and (2) understanding and mitigating performance deficits caused by sleep loss.
(1) Understanding the role of REM sleep in waking emotional processing: Our laboratory is conducting research on the psychological functions of sleep. Specifically, we are studying the functions of REM sleep. We have discovered a brain potential that occurs before rapid eye movements during REM sleep, which we have named the pre-rapid-eye-movement negativity (PRN). Our research also found that the PRN originates from the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. This brain region is involved in emotional regulation, so we believe that the PRN reflects emotional processes during REM sleep. We are using the PRN as a marker to investigate the psychological functions of REM sleep.
(2) Understanding and mitigating performance deficits caused by sleep loss: Our laboratory is conducting research to understand and mitigate performance deficits caused by sleep loss in order to prevent accidents and human errors related to sleep loss. One aspect of this research involves developing a new system for evaluating and predicting declines in cognitive performance due to sleep loss using an accurate and unobtrusive measure. We have identified several new markers for vigilant attention and developed a new algorithm for detecting the level of vigilant attention by integrating these markers. We are continuing to improve this algorithm and conducting research towards its practical implementation. In addition, we are also exploring ways to prevent performance deficits caused by sleep loss. Our laboratory is developing non-invasive and non-pharmacological methods for promoting sleep, and we have developed new approaches for inducing sleep using sensory stimuli. Through these research and technological developments, we aim to prevent accidents and human errors related to sleep loss.

What is my goal as a transborder researcher?

私は、これまで大学や国立研究所で、ヒトを対象とした睡眠の基礎研究を行なってきました。現在は基礎研究を続けながら、基礎研究の成果を実用化することにも挑戦しています。自身の興味に基づいて、基礎から実用化に至る様々な研究フェーズを、それぞれに最適な形で進めることができる研究者になりたいと考えています。

I have conducted basic research on human sleep at universities and national institutes. Currently, in addition to the continuation of my basic research, I am also challenging myself with the application of the results of my research to practical applications. My goal is to become a researcher who can optimally perform various stages of research, from basic research to practical applications, based on my own interests.