Current Title, Department, Employer:
PhD Candidate in the lab of Associate Professor Takanori Kokubun
Mechanobiology and Human Movement Sciences,
Saitama Prefectural University

Bio: I was born and raised in Japan. From my early childhood, I was involved in various sports such as ballet, soccer, swimming, and track and field, and became interested in kinesiology. I studied at Saitama Prefectural University for my undergraduate and master’s degrees and am currently enrolled in a doctoral program here. I obtained my license as a physical therapist the year I graduated from the university. However, I became acutely aware of the lack of scientific evidence in the rehabilitation field and decided to engage in basic research alongside my clinical practice. I joined the Lab of Prof. Takanori Kokubun in my third year at the university and have been engaged in the project of mechanobiology on the healing process of tendons. Last year, I got the opportunity to study abroad with a national research grant and spent three months in the Lab of Dr. Ara Nazarian at BIDMC MSTII. I had an exciting research experience with engineering students and MD members.

Who have been your mentors?
My mentor is Prof. Kokubun Takanori, who has been guiding me for 6 years since I started my science career. His research ideas and the animal models that focus on the mechanical stress types are fascinating. Because he keeps moving to expand his sphere of activities and to take on difficult challenges, I am no longer afraid to take on my challenges. I am also indebted to Dr. Ara Nazarian for accepting me for a short research internship. I did not know much about engineering, so evaluating the mechanics of tendons during healing using quantitative kinetic devices was interesting and filled an aspect that was lacking in my doctoral research. Of course, I am grateful to the members of his lab who took the time to help me with my experiments. Hopefully, we can keep in touch with and continue the tendon project together.

What are your specific research areas and expertise?
My main research motivation is consistently to elucidate tendon healing from a mechanobiological perspective. Occasionally, I am also involved in other projects in the laboratory, such as the relationship between mechanical stress and the development of knee osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal disorders in young adults. During my master’s program, I studied the effects of static stretching and muscle contraction on tendon healing and muscle recovery, focusing on the differences in the mechanical stress response properties of the muscle-tendon complex. Currently, I am pursuing mechanisms that contribute to the functional recovery of mechanical stress and muscle-tendon complexes by focusing on intra-tendinous vascular structures after Achilles tendon rupture.

What are you currently working on?
I’m writing my thesis, which is newly defining the Exercise Therapy Strategies After Achilles Tendon Rupture.

What has been the biggest challenge for you in your research?
The biggest challenge was to work on other projects abroad while continuing my doctoral research project in Japan. I am glad to have this opportunity because I met wonderful students of my generation and gained new knowledge.

What project(s) are you looking forward to in the near future?
I would like to publish my ongoing research on tendon healing using a new mouse model that controls mechanical stress by inhibiting joint movement and muscle contraction.

What do you want to do next in your career?
I would like to work for an Industry to utilize the problem-solving skills I have developed through my research activities in a wider range of fields.

What advice would you give young investigators in the field?
To expand the possibilities of your science career, please find an environment and colleagues outside of your field of expertise.

When you’re not in the lab, what do you like to do for fun?
Outside of the lab, I really enjoy listening to music and going to live concerts!

What resources would you like to see available from the ORS Tendon Section?
For students interested in tendon research, I would like to see opportunities for matching students with overseas researchers and support for study abroad expenses.

How can we follow you?
Personal Twitter | Personal LinkedIn | ResearchGate | Lab Website