I am truly honored to step into the role of Professor at the Center for Medical Education and Internationalization at Kyoto University School of Medicine, starting this April 1st. For my educational background, I received an MD degree from Osaka University in 2009 and a Ph.D. from Kyoto University in 2013 under the supervision of Prof. Shuh Narumiya (currently Emeritus Professor). Throughout my academic career, I served as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmacology, followed by an Associate Professor at AK project and the Department of Drug Discovery Medicine. Moreover, I had the opportunity to spend around four months as a Visiting Researcher in Max Krummel’s lab at the Department of Pathology, UCSF School of Medicine, during 2013-2014.

Growing up in the United States and Thailand before pursuing higher education in Japan, my diverse background has profoundly shaped my passion for internationalization. Upon my arrival in Japan, I encountered and tackled various challenges such as diversity issues, language barriers, and the need for greater internationalization in Japanese universities. These experiences have deepened my dedication to making a positive impact in such transformative processes. Moreover, during my 28 years of living in Japan, I have observed significant changes in Japan’s academic landscape, particularly in the notable increase of international students and faculty members. Despite these encouraging developments, persistent challenges remain. Therefore, I aim to advance the internationalization and diversity agenda, elevate educational standards to global levels, and promote global connections in research endeavors. Through these efforts, I seek to enhance the global presence of Kyoto University and our medical school.

In the realm of education, my primary focus is on enhancing English-language classes and daily communication, fostering a global mindset for Japanese students, and breaking down language and culture barriers for international students. I also believe it’s important to focus on both the content and delivery of freshman classes, making sure the learning environment is engaging and easily understandable. Experimenting with innovative teaching methods, such as interactive lectures, will be part of my commitment to enhancing students’ educational experience. And, equally important is ensuring that students grasp the importance of adopitng a global perspective in their education. This understanding will not only enhance the communication skills of our medical students as they become healthcare professionals but will also be vital in an era where Japan is experiencing a substantial increase in international patients due to globalization.

Regarding research, I am committed to maintaining Kyoto University’s and our medical school’s high research excellence and fostering scientific breakthroughs. My aspiration is to contribute significantly to our university’s esteemed reputation, based on our tradition of uniqueness and originality. Training the next generation of researchers is pivotal for long-term success, and I am eager to engage in research alongside our students. In my research, I’ve previously investigated the physiological roles of the actin cytoskeleton. More recently, my focus has been on the role of immune system in cancer and tissue regeneration. A notable feature of my research is the seamless integration of conventional wet experiments with dry computational analysis, such as the utilization of single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. My ultimate goal is to harness our immune system to defeat cancer and facilitate tissue repair.

Taking on my new role as a Professor at Kyoto University’s Faculty of Medicine, I’m excited to collaborate with fellow faculty and staff, contribute to educational and research endeavors, and participate in university organizational activities. Moreover, I look forward to both teaching and learning together with our students, contributing to an environment that nurtures their academic and research achievements. With Kyoto University’s philosophy of “自由の学風” or “Academic Freedom” in mind, I am dedicated to giving my best to enhance our institution’s reputation and to nurture the promising future of our students, ensuring they become invaluable assets to humanity.”