Current Title and Department:
Clinical Fellow in Orthopaedics

Current Employer:
Mie University in Japan

Undergraduate Degree, University:
2012 Mie University

Graduate Degree, University:
2020 Mie University 

Who have been your mentors?
I have been lucky to have had wonderful mentors and research environment. I went on to graduate school on the recommendation of Akihiro Sudo. In graduate school, I conducted research on Achilles tendon in the Department of Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine with Akinobu Nishimura. They were able to construct a theme according to what I wanted to research and let me work on the experiment actively rather than passively. I am extremely grateful to be able to conduct research in such a wonderful environment. 

What are your specific research areas and expertise, particularly related to the tendon?
I study the efficacy of Platelet rich fibrin (PRF), an autologous blood product, for Achilles tendon injuries, especially Achilles tendon defects, and the effects on tenocyte and signaling pathways that play an important role in tendon repair. 

What are you currently working on?
Currently, I have studied with the Department of Pathology at Mie University to study the healing process after Achilles tendon rupture and the effects of PRF on the pathology in detail. A detailed understanding of the healing process after Achilles tendon defects may lead not only to the clinical application of PRF for tendon injuries but also to the discovery of new treatment methods. 

What has been the biggest challenge for you lately in your research?
COVID-19 caused delays in the arrival of research materials and the repair of equipment used in the research, and we had to stop the research.

What project(s) are you looking forward to in the near future?
What I see as a future project is to further our knowledge of the factors involved in the healing of Achilles tendon injuries, to conduct research that can be applied clinically in the future, and to apply PRF to other tissues such as meniscus injuries. 

What advice would you give investigators who are just starting out in the field?
Research involves a lot of steady work, but it becomes very enjoyable when you see the results. I think the shortcut to success is to find a topic that interests you and enjoy doing research on it. 

When you’re not in the lab, what do you like to do for fun?
When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy playing with my baby and playing soccer. This fills me with energy to work hard on my research. 

What is the most unusual/unexpected item sitting on your desk right now?
Massage products because massage is the best way to heal for me.