Member

Full Time

  • Associate Professor / Principal Investigator (PI) Toshihide KURIHARA

    栗原 俊英

    • Biography

      Toshihide Kurihara received his M.D. degree from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan in 2001. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Keio University Hospital in 2005, and obtained his Ph.D. degree under the supervision of Professor Kazuo Tsubota from Keio University Graduate School of Medicine in 2009. Dr. Kurihara completed his postdoctoral training under the mentorship of Professor Martin Friedlander at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, USA. His research interests include hypoxia responses in development, physiology, and pathophysiology of the retina. Currently, he also conducts research focusing on visual restoration utilizing optogenetics technology and molecular mechanisms of myopia development and progression.

    • Research Keywords
      Hypoxia responses, myopia biology, and optogenetic visual restoration
    • Links

      https://researchmap.jp/kurihara

    • Brief Message (free text)
      I hope to convey the “surprise” that brings us closer to the fundamental nature of science, the “excitement” that advances medicine and ophthalmology itself, and the “fulfillment” of engaging with and contributing to patients.
  • Assistant Professor Hidemasa TORII

    鳥居 秀成

    • Biography
      2004 M.D., Keio University School of Medicine
      Junior residency, Yokohama Municipal Citizen’s Hospital
      2006 Residency in Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine
      2007 Keiyu Hospital
      2009 Instructor, Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine
      2022 Part-Time Lecturer (concurrent post), Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University
      2020-present Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine
    • Research Keywords
      Myopia, Cataract, lens
    • Links

      https://researchmap.jp/htorii

  • Assistant Professor Norimitsu BAN
  • 専任講師 Yohei TOMITA

    富田 洋平

    • Biography

      Dr. Tomita graduated from Shimane University and completed his ophthalmology residency and retinal fellowship at Keio University School of Medicine, where he also earned his Ph.D. He subsequently joined Harvard Medical School as a Senior Staff Scientist at Boston Children’s Hospital.
      His achievements include the Young Investigator Awards from the Japan Society of Diabetes Complications (2022), the Japanese Ophthalmological Society (2021), and the Keio University School of Medicine Alumni Association (2021), as well as the Bert M. Glaser Award for Innovative Research in Retina (2021), the Fukuda Award from the Japanese Society of Ophthalmic Diabetology (2024), and the Medical Research Encouragement Prize from the Japan Medical Association (2024).

    • Research Keywords
      Diabetic Retinopathy, Age-related Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Pathological Myopia, Retinopathy of Prematurity
    • Links

      https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1013-5737

    • Brief Message (free text)
      I strive as both a clinician and a researcher to pursue patient-oriented research and develop innovative therapies that benefit future generations.
  • Assistant Professor Hiromitsu KUNIMI
  • Project Assistant Professor Tetsu YOSHIDA

    吉田 哲

  • Project Assistant Professor Shin-ichi IKEDA

    池田 真一

    • Biography
      • Hakodate-Higashi high school
      • University of Tsukuba (B.S. to Ph.D.)
      • Juntendo University (as a poslioctoral fellow)
      • The University of Tokyo (as an assistant professor)
      • Keio University School of Medicine (as an assistant professor)
    • Research Keywords
      Myopia biology, choroidal immunology, cell biology, myopia, high myopia, pathological myopia,endoplasmic reticulum, unfolded protein response, autophagy, hypoxia response, extracellular matrix,microenvironment, biology of stiffness, sclera, suprachoroidal space, choroid, retinal pigment epithelium,macrophages, mast cells, T cells, B cells, gut microbiome, lactobacilli, lactoferrin, omics
    • Links

      Researchmap: https://researchmap.jp/ikeshin777
      ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shin-Ichi-Ikeda-2
      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16FNdPQu8V

    • Brief Message (free text)
      Rather than climbing the popular mountains (research fields) that everyone else is climbing, I think it would be a good way to build my identity as a researcher to find mountains that not many people climb but are extremely fun to climb, or that are actually very high.
      There are likely to be many wonderful views on the path to the pinnacle of my new mountain,"Myopia Biology". I am always looking for people who can enjoy looking at these views with us!
  • Project Assistant Professor Satoshi IMANISHI
    • Research Keywords
      Choroid, Vascular biology, Regeneration
  • Project Assistant Professor Erisa YOTSUKURA
  • Project Assistant Professor Yusaku KATADA

    堅田 侑作

    • Biography
      2010 Graduated from Keio University School of Medicine
      2019 Completed Doctoral Program at Keio University Graduate School of Medicine
    • Research Keywords
      Visual restoration, Optogenetics
    • Links

      https://researchmap.jp/yusakukatada?lang=en

    • Brief Message (free text)
      Let's pioneer the future of visual restoration!
  • Project Assistant Professor Ari SHINOJIMA
  • Instructor Xiaoyan JIANG
  • Project Assistant Professor Akiko SUGA

    須賀 晶子

  • Project Instructor Ziyan MA

    馬 子妍

    • Biography
        • Doctor’s degree, Keio University (Ophthalmology) 2024. Exploring the relationship between vision and the brain through basic medical research.
    • Research Keywords
      Myopia, Autonomic nervous system, Choroid
    • Links

      ORCiD : 0000-0002-0630-6831
      https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0630-6831

  • Project Instructor Junhan CHEN
    • Biography
      2020.04 – 2024.03 Keio University Graduate School of Medicine, PhD course
      2024.05 – now Keio University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Project Instructor
    • Research Keywords
      Myopia, Pathologic Myopia, RPE, Digital Health
    • Brief Message (free text)
      Clearer vision, brighter future
  • Project Instructor Tomokazu FUKUCHI

    福地 智一

    • Biography
      2024.10 – Present Project Assistant Professor, School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University
      2024.4 – 2024.9 Researcher, School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University
      2023.6 – 2024.3 Postdoc, Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School
      2020.11 – 2022.3 Researcher, Faculty of Science Department of Biological Science, Shizuoka University
    • Research Keywords
      Myopia, Choroid, Immunology, Mast cells, Vasculature, Development, Regeneration, Bioinformatics, Big data, AI, Medical image analysis
    • Links

      https://researchmap.jp/fukuchitomokazu

      https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0091-2515

    • Brief Message (free text)
      With the rapid advancement of big data and omics analysis, new discoveries are being made every day in the field of biomedical science. I believe that being at the forefront of this dynamic change is a unique privilege given to researchers of our time. With respect for the knowledge passed down from the past, I hope to contribute—step by step—toward connecting it to the future.
  • Project Instructor Jing HOU

    侯 靖

    • Biography
      2020 〜 2024  Keio University Graduate School of Medicine Ophthalmology Doctoral Program
    • Research Keywords
      Myopia, Choroid, Immune cell, Macrophage, Anti-inflammatory, Oxidative stress
    • Links

      https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7104-1607

    • Brief Message (free text)
      We don’t find light by escaping darkness, but by becoming fireflies in it.
  • Project Researcher Kanae KUROSAKI

    黒崎 香栄

  • Project Researcher Ryoko SHIOJIRI

    塩尻 良子

  • Project Researcher Shiori YAMAMOTO

    山本 詩織

  • Project Researcher Konomi FUKUDA

    福田 このみ

    • Research Keywords
      Lowvision
  • Project Researcher Hidenori WATANABE

    渡辺 秀教

  • Project Researcher Rika TANAKA

    田中 里佳

    • Biography

      2019

      		 Bachelor of Applied Biochemistry, School of Engineering, Tokai University
      2021 Master of Science in Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokai University
      2025

      Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokai University

       

      Tanaka R.et al., Adherent-invasive E. coli-induced specific IgA limits pathobiont localization to the epithelial niche in the gut. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14: 1031997, 2023.

      Tanaka R.et al., Cyclic-di-AMP confers an invasive phenotype on Escherichia coli through elongation of flagellin filaments. Gut Pathogens, 16: 6, 2024.

    • Research Keywords
      Myopia, Gut microbiota
    • Links

      https://researchmap.jp/tanaka_rika/

  • Staff Member Rei SATO
  • Staff Member Sami YAMAMOTO
  • Staff Member Kaito SERIZAWA
  • Staff Member Maki UEDA
  • Staff Member Chiaki IKEDA

Part Time

  • Project Associate Professor Kazushige TSUNODA
  • Project Assistant Professor Atsuro UCHIDA
  • Project Assistant Professor Kiwako MORI
  • Project Assistant Professor Kaoru FUJINAMI
  • Project Instructor Yukihiro MIWA
  • Project Instructor Naho SERIZAWA
  • Project Instructor Deokho LEE
  • Project Instructor Ayaka NAKAI
  • Visiting Assistant Professor Xiao HAN
    • Biography

      EDUCATION

      2005 – 2010 Clinical Medicine, Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Bachelor’s degree.
      2010 – 2012 Ophthalmology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Master’s degree.
      2012 – 2015 Ophthalmology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Doctor’s degree.
      2023.6 – 2023.12 Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Clinical Advanced-Study.
      Present

      Ophthalmology, Keio University, visiting scholar

       

      CAREERS

      2015 – 2020 Ophthalmology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, lecturer and attending physician
      2020 – Present Ophthalmology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, associate professor, associate chief physician and master’s supervisor
    • Research Keywords
      Retinal basic and clinical research
    • Links

      ORCiD 0000-0003-2517-9636
      https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2517-9636

  • Visiting Instructor Jian GUAN
    • Biography
      • Position in China: attending physician and lecturer
      • Job in China:
      • The Ophthalmology Department of the First Hospital of China Medical University.
      • 2024.6 – Present　A Visiting Instructor in Keio University School of Medicine
    • Research Keywords
      Retinitis Pigmentosa, metabolism
    • Links

      ORCiD:0009-0005-7750-9803
      https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7750-9803

  • Visiting Researcher (JSPS) Joanna SWIERKOWSKA-JANC

    シエルコフスカ ヤンツ ヨアンナ

    • Biography

      I graduated Biotechnology at the University of Life Sciences in Poznan, Poland. During studies I completed scientific internships at the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences in Norway and the Institute of Molecular Genetics of Montpellier in France. In 2014, I started a PhD programme at the Institute of Human Genetics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS) in Poznan, Poland. In 2020, I defended with honours my PhD dissertation titled ‘Characterization of chosen (epi)-genetic aspects in high myopia in Polish patients’. Later, I received a grant to conduct my own research project titled ‘The role of DNA methylation in etiology of high myopia in Polish children’ at the Institute of Human Genetics PAS. Funded by the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) I completed a research stay at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
      Currently, I am doing a postdoctoral training at the Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan as I received JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan. My scientific interest is focused mainly on genetic and epigenetic aspects in myopia and high myopia pathogenesis.

    • Research Keywords
      Myopia, high myopia, genetics, epigenetics
    • Links

      ORCID: 0000-0001-7688-5667
      https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7688-5667
      Scopus Author ID: 57197797622

  • Visiting Researcher Nana KITAMURA
  • Researcher Kohei SONE
  • Researcher Hikaru MIYAZAKI
  • Researcher Akiko KAMIYA
  • Researcher Koji YOSHIDA
  • Researcher Yuuki YANAGISAWA

    柳澤 祐樹

    • Biography

      Received my Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) in 2014. With experience at both a Japan-based biotech startup and a global pharmaceutical company, currently engaged in AAV vector production at Restore Vision Inc., taking the lead on overall process development.

    • Research Keywords
      AAV Vector Production、Formulation Development、Pharmaceutical Analysis、Quality Control、Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Regulations、Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) Regulatory Affairs
  • Researcher Momo FUJII
  • Researcher Hiroko NIWANO
  • Researcher Priscilla Sayami AKAMINE
  • Researcher Atsuki HIRAMOTO

    平本 篤紀

  • Researcher Masanori KANAI
  • Researcher Tomoko YAMAGUCHI
  • Researcher Hanako KIYONO

Student

  • PhD student Yajing YANG

    楊 雅靜

    • Biography

      After more than a decade of clinical experience in ophthalmology, especially in strabismus and refractive error management, now pursuing Ph.D. research at Keio University on the retinal mechanisms underlying myopia progression.

    • Research Keywords
      Myopia, retinal function
    • Links

      https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8302-9524

    • Brief Message (free text)
      I am currently investigating the retinal mechanisms underlying myopia. I hope to contribute to translational approaches bridging clinical ophthalmology and experimental research.
  • PhD student Jue SHI

    施 珏

    • Biography
      2022~ Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University.
    • Research Keywords
      Immune and myopia
    • Brief Message (free text)
      Always maintain a spirit of self-improvement and continue to take on challenges.
  • PhD student Xiao FENG
  • PhD student Kate GETTINGER

    ゲッティンジャ ケイト

    • Biography

      Kate Gettinger is an optometrist from America with a specialty in low vision and geriatrics. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Truman State University, her master’s degree in public health from Washington University in St. Louis, and her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Missouri St. Louis. Her research involves both clinical and basic research. Clinically, she is interested in the epidemiology of ocular diseases and the relationship to quality of life, as well as improving treatment outcomes to reduce the burden of visual impairment. Her basic research includes the study of the mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy, as well as exploring non-visual opsins and the role of various signaling proteins within the eye.

    • Research Keywords
      Diabetic retinopathy, non-visual opsins, myopia, presbyopia, cataract
    • Links

      https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7404-5167

  • PhD student Yuanling ZHANG
    • Biography
      2014 – 2019 China Medical University Bachelor
      2019 – 2022 China Medical University Master
      2023 – Present Keio University PhD
    • Research Keywords
      HIF(低酸素誘導因子),　CNV(脈絡新生血管)
  • 博士課程2年 Yusuke SHIMIZU
    • Biography
      September 2021 Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University
      September 2023 Department of Ophthalmology, National Hospital Organization Saitama Hospital
      April 2024 Enrolled in Doctoral Program (PhD)
      September 2025 Scheduled to resign from National Hospital Organization Saitama Hospital
    • Research Keywords
      Retina / Choroid / Myopia / Defocus / Retinal ganglion cell / Bipolar cell / Melanopsin
    • Links

      https://researchmap.jp/yshimizu-ophth

      https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4443-0604

    • Brief Message (free text)
      I am working on elucidating the pathophysiology of myopia progression and the mechanisms of defocus detection at the retinal level.
  • PhD student Yinuo HUANG
    • Biography
      • Graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Sun Yat-sen University (Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center), an ophthalmologist(China).
    • Research Keywords
      Myopia, Choroid Blood Flow, Sympathetic nerve system
  • PhD student Moran LI

    李 墨然

    • Biography
      • North Sichuan Medical University Bachelor of Medicine
      • Xiamen University Master of Ophthalmology
    • Research Keywords
      Visual restoration, Gene therapy, Retinitis pigmentosa
  • PhD student Yuzhu ZHANG
    • Biography

      I studied at Zhengzhou University from 2015 to 2020 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Medicine. From 2021 to 2024, I studied at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and obtained a master’s degree in Ophthalmology. In 2025, I began studying at Keio University, pursuing a doctoral degree in Ophthalmology.

    • Research Keywords
      Myopia, Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Links

      https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2639-187X

    • Brief Message (free text)
      As an ophthalmologist in China, I completed a three-year standardized residency training program. After that, I came to Japan to engage in basic research related to myopia.
  • Medical student Kei KURIMOTO
  • Medical student Risa HOSAKA
  • Medical student Eijirou SAITOU