MEMBER

Hideki Ueno M.D., Ph.D.

Hideki Ueno M.D., Ph.D.

Professor

Education:

  • 1992 M.D.

    Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

  • 2001 Ph.D.

    Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Professional Appointments:

  • 2001

    Post-Doctoral Fellow. Baylor Institute for Immunology Research (BIIR), Dallas, TX, USA

  • 2004

    Assistant Investigator. BIIR

  • 2009

    Associate Investigator. BIIR

  • 2011- 2016

    Investigator. BIIR

  • 2016.4

    Professor. Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

  • 2019.7

    Professor. Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (Cross-appointment with Mount Sinai until 2021.3)

  • 2021.4

    Full-time Professor. Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

I have more than 25 years of experience in human immunology research. At Baylor Immunology Research Institute, I started my research carrier with the focus on cancer vaccine development using dendritic cells (DCs), and immunomonitoring on cancer antigen-specific T cells in patients who underwent DC-based vaccinations. I have conducted basic and clinical research on human dendritic cell subsets and human follicular helper T (Tfh) cells. Major achievements include: determination of functional differences in human skin DC subsets; discovery of human Tfh cell subsets; elucidation of the involvement of Tfh cell subsets in autoimmune diseases; establishment of human Tfh cell differentiation pathways; and elucidation of the involvement of Tfh cells in antibody production after seasonal influenza vaccination.

I returned to Kyoto in 2019, 20 years after my Ph.D. Once again, I fell in love with the excellence of Kyoto University and the students, and the beauty of the city of Kyoto. A big fan of 70's and 80's culture, including Japanese vintage audio like Sansui, Denon, Yamaha, and Trio. U.S. citizen.

Kazunari Akiyoshi Ph.D.

Kazunari Akiyoshi Ph.D.

Program-Specific Professor

Hiroyuki Yoshitomi M.D., Ph.D.

Hiroyuki Yoshitomi M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Professor

  • 1995 M.D.

    Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Joined the Department of Orthopaedic surgery.

  • 2005 Ph.D.

    Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Since receiving my PhD, I have been involved in rheumatoid arthritis research in humans.

  • 2012

    Associate Professor. Center for Innovation in Immunoregulative Technology and Therapeutics

  • 2015

    Associate Professor. Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

  • 2016

    Associate Professor. iPS Cell Research Institute (concurrent post),

  • 2019.7

    Associate Professor. Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Major achievements include the identification of CXCL13-producing CD4+ T cells in rheumatoid arthritis synovium, which population is now established as peripheral helper T (Tph)cells that are involved in a variety of diseases. I would like to challenge to elucidate various human pathologies by actively adopting new technologies. I am healed and inspirated by the seasonal nature of the Kamogawa River on my way towork.

I spend my weekends trail running in the mountains to refresh my mind and body, and I sometimes show up at the lab in myrunning clothes.

Yoshitaka Honda M.D., Ph.D.

Yoshitaka Honda M.D., Ph.D.

Program-Specific Assistant Professor

  • 2009 M.D.

    Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

  • 2021 Ph.D.

    Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

  • 2020

    Program-Specific Assistant Professor. Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan

  • 2021

    Program-Specific Assistant Professor. Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

I have been trained as a pediatrician and engaged in the clinical immunology research at Kyoto University from 2014. I have conducted genetic or functional analysis of the patients with inborn errors of immunity utilizing patient cells or patient-derived iPS cells. As a graduate student, I have described a novel disease concept; cell-type specific quantitative NEMO deficiency caused by a deep intronic mutation. After graduation, I have established an in vitro functional assay for the functional classification of MEFV variants to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF).

From 2021, I have joined the Ueno group to further investigate human immunology. Now, my research topics are inborn errors of immunity (especially autoinflammatory diseases), allergy and pediatric rheumatology. I love 90’s J-POP.

Jumana Khalil Ph.D.

Jumana Khalil Ph.D.

Program-Specific Assistant Professor

I got my PhD in innate immunity in 2021, but I then wanted to expand my knowledge in Immunology and have a broader understanding of the field, so I shifted my research to adaptive immunity in human diseases and vaccination. I am fond of immunology and I believe that the future of medicine largely depends on achieving a better understanding of our immune system. No other field of basic science is as intimately connected to disease pathology and treatment as Immunology. I am a mom of two kids and I love climbing mountains, walking in the forests, and listening to Arabic music.

Asako Shimoda Ph.D.

Asako Shimoda Ph.D.

Program-Specific Assistant Professor

  • Ma Shuhe Ph.D.

    Program-Specific Researcher

    Shuhe Ma got her bachelor degree in Biotechnology at Harbin Institute of Technology (2014), and earned her master degree in Biology at Leiden university (2016). From 2017, she joined the doctoral course at the Graduate School of Medicine in Kyoto University, and undertook postdoctoral training at the Dept. of Immunology (2020-2021) as a postdoc. She obtained her Doctor degree at 2022. She joined ASHBi at April 2022.

  • Wajid Amin Ph.D.

    Program-Specific Researcher

    I did my Master in Human Genetics from Pakistanand then got a Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT) for my PhD studies in2018. I started my PhD by joining Nobel Laureate (Medicine, 2018) ProfessionHonjo's lab in Kyoto University, Japan. During my PhD, I focused on molecular mechanismof antibody diversification against pathogens. After completing my PhD in BCell Immunology in 2023, I further expanded my field to T Cell Immunology byjoining Professor Ueno's lab in Kyoto University. My hobbies include; soccer,bicycle ride, photography and travelling.

  • Ryusei Nishigori M.D.

    Researcher

    I graduated from Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in 2013. I'm involved in clinical work with a focus on neuroimmunological diseases. Since 2020, I have been continuing my research in clinical immunology using patient blood and cerebrospinal fluid at the Ueno Lab.

  • Masaki Takata M.D.

    Research Student

  • Naila Shinwari

    Program Specific Researcher

    Master’s from Quaid-e-Azam university Pakistan. I Joined this lab as COVID-19 researcher focusing on unraveling the mysteries of this pandemic. With a passion for science, I strive to understand how the virus spreads and contribute to the development of effective vaccines. Previous MEXT scholarship recipient. An awardee of ASHBi Financial Support Program for International Graduate Students.

  • Akinori Murakami M.D.

    Program Specific Researcher

  • Hajime Morita M.D.

    Research Student

    I graduated from Kyoto University in 2014. I worked as a nephrologist and finished the nephrology fellowship in 2020. I am investigating liver resident T lymphocytes. I'm interested in the balance between tolerance and host defense in the liver.

  • Yuya Shinoto M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

  • Toshiaki Bando M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

    I graduated from Faculty of Medicine at Nara Medical University in 2013. After working as a neurosurgeon for 6 years and obtaining a neurosurgeon specialist, I joined Ueno Lab in 2021 on the recommendation of my neurosurgeon boss. I am focusing on the interaction between liver hepatic stellate cells and immune cells in autoimmune liver disease, especially in primary biliary cholangitis.

  • Zhang Moyu

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

  • Rina Fujita M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

    I graduated from Hyogo College of Medicine in 2015. Following my clinical training, I enrolled in the doctoral course for neurology at Kyoto University in 2021. Since joining Ueno Lab in 2023, I have been conducting research on microglia using iPSCs.

  • Sari Hatanaka M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

    I graduated from Nara Medical University and worked as a pediatrician for five years. I am investigating immune cells, including T-cell subsets and basophils, which are involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and the acquisition of tolerance. Recently, I have been interested in gardening and machine learning.

  • Mouna Khan Pharm.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

    I graduated as a Pharmacy Doctor in 2016, then specialized immunologist in 2021 from Algiers University. I worked as an immunology resident in Pasteur Institute of Algeria from 2016 to 2021, After that I joined Ueno Lab where I started my Doctoral course at the graduate school of Medicine in April 2022. I am interested in gamma-delta T cells in the liver. MEXT scholarship recipient.

  • Shunsuke Uno M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

    I am a board-certified pathologist in Japan. Currently, I am engaged in research on single-cell spatial transcriptomics in liver diseases.

  • Rinko Akamine M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

    Interested in autoimmune disease, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Love travel to the islands. Recieving "Kibou" Project scholarship (from Japanese Society for Immunology).

  • Yuki Masuo M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

    I graduated from Faculty of Medicine at Kyoto University in 2018. After residency, I worked as a hematologist for 2 years, when I treated patients with hematological malignancies and autoimmune diseases. Close relationship between these diseases and immunology prompted me to join the research in this field. I am currently focusing on autoimmune diseases and vaccine response in humans. Recieving a scholarship from Takeda Science Foundation.

  • Daichi Akuzawa M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

    I graduated from Shiga University of Medical Science in 2017. After working as a pediatrician, I started research in the Graduate School of Medicine at Kyoto University from 2022. I am focusing on the interaction between cholangiocytes , hepatocytes and immune cells especially in primary biliary cholangitis and hepatitis B by using the human liver organoid model. JSPS DC1 scholarship recipient.

  • Xue Xinxin

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

    I am Xinxin Xue. I graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences from the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science. I joined Ueno Lab in 2021 and obtained a Master’s degree in Medical Science in March 2023. Currently, I am a Ph.D. student specializing in COVID-19 vaccine studies. An awardee of ASHBi Financial Support Program for International Graduate Students.

  • Hirotaka Sato M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

  • Osamu Iri M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

  • Lynn Zreka M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

    I graduated from Tishreen University, school of medicine in 2019 in Syria.Joined Ueno Lab in 2020 October as a research student for 1 year and half.And now, I am a first year master student, working on analyzing granulocytes residing in liver. My dream is to find some treatment to Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) in the future. MEXT scholarship recipient.

  • Tomotaro Tanaka M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

  • Yousuf Tahir Ali M.D.

    Doctoral (Ph.D.) student

    MD from Dow Medical College on Pakistan Government Scholarship. M.Phil. in Biological & Biomedical Sciences from the Aga Khan University with “Great Distinction”. MEXT Scholarship recipient for a Ph.D. in Immunology at the Ueno Lab.My research interests lie in studying liver diseases, particularly Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), at the Ueno Lab!

  • Chua Celine

    Master student

    I graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2022 with honours in Biomedical Science. Since 2020, I was attached to Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) where I focused on the characterisation of immune responses underlying allergic diseases. Joining Ueno Lab in 2023 to further my interest in immunology, I am currently working on elucidating immune responses in infectious diseases and vaccine immunity. MEXT scholarship recipient.

  • Lu Dongyun

    Master student

    I graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2022, majoring in Biotechnology. With a great interest in infectious diseases, especially COVID-19, I hope to become a researcher with good scientific literacy in Ueno Lab. Currently, I decided to spend one year as a Research Student, learning experiment techniques and enhancing my theoretical knowledge basement.

  • Ryo Nishida

    Master student

    Graduate school of medicine, course of Human Health science

  • Joey Matsuyama

    Master student

    Graduate school of medicine, Master's course in Medical science

  • Zhang Yunni M.D.

    Researcher

    Graduated as Medical Doctor eight-year program from West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University in 2018. Worked as a urology surgeon from 2018 to 2022 at Xiamen University Hospital. Joined Ueno lab as foreign co-researcher in 2022 May. Interested in tumor immunological microenvironment and immunotherapy in urological cancer.

  • Mio hamatani M.D., Ph.D.

    Researcher

    Currently at the Department of Neurology (Kuchroo Lab), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

  • Natsumi Iwasaki

    Technical staff

  • Chihiro Nishino

    Technical staff

  • Emi Onohara

    Technical staff

  • Aki Mitsunaka

    Technical staff

  • Seiko Matsuo

    Technical staff

  • Maho Oguchi

    Technical staff

  • Mami Fujita

    Secretary

  • Nana Sugie

    Secretary

  • Kazuya Kimura

    Program-Specific Associate Professor

Past Members

  • Chiyomi Sasaki

    Researcher

  • Yayoi Iwamoto

    Staff

  • Kenji Okuma

    Researcher

  • Kensuke Nishioka

    PhD student

  • Shusei Fujioka

    PhD student

  • Mayu Fujioka

    PhD student