Interview

What you keep in mind in your work and research

Before becoming a faculty member, I worked for five years as a medical technologist in the laboratory of Kyoto University Hospital. In the course of my work, I observed seen patients and their families anxious about tests and feeling happy or sad about test results. I try to share in my lectures not only my professional knowledge and skills, but also things that cannot be learned from textbooks by utilizing my clinical experience. Moreover, since medical technologists are professionals who analyze laboratory data, I conduct research that takes advantage of my expertise. My main research interest is the genetics of leukemia. By carefully comparing clinical information and genetic data of leukemia patients, new findings can be made.

What do you find interesting about your work and research

For example, when we examine the genetic abnormalities found by comprehensive genetic analysis of leukemia patient samples, we may find a high percentage of overlap with other specific genetic abnormalities or a high frequency of relapse in those with genetic abnormalities. In these cases, the detected genetic abnormalities are expected to cooperate with other genetic abnormalities to cause the development and relapse of leukemia. In this way, unexpected insights can be obtained from the analysis of clinical samples, which I feel is interesting. I would like to continue to clarify as many pathological mechanisms as possible and link them to new testing and treatment methods, so that I can contribute to patients in the present and future.

Please describe in one word what you think is unique about Kyoto University.

It has been 17 years since I started my undergraduate studies at Kyoto University, and it is difficult to describe in one word, but I would say “freedom and diversity. When I was a student, I became interested in the medical technologist system overseas, and became the first Japanese who passed ASCP international, an international certification for medical technologists, and was awarded the Kyoto University President's Award. In this way, Kyoto University has a culture in which students are encouraged to pursue their interests freely, and there is a system to support such pursuits. In addition, the diversity of Kyoto University provided me with a great deal of intellectual stimulation outside of my field of specialization when I was a student, and I have also benefited from collaborative research with professors in the information sciences and various departments of the hospital after becoming a researcher.

Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine celebrates 125th anniversary

I would like to express my respect for the 125 years of glorious history established by our alumni, faculty members, and staff. I will continue to conduct research and contribute to the training of future generations so that the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine will continue to develop as an institution that produces world-leading medical researchers and professionals.