KYOTO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL Program-Specific Professor
I began my research career in gynecological and female pelvic MRI under the supervision of Prof. Kaori Togashi and Prof. Evis Sala, and have since maintained a strong interest in oncologic imaging, women's imaging, and MRI. While at the University of Cambridge, UK, under the supervision of Dr. Ruth Warren, I conducted epidemiological analyses of mammography data, examining the relationship between mammographic density and genetic factors (with Prof. Antonis Antoniou and Prof. Douglas Easton), and between vascular calcification and cardiac events (with Prof. Kay-Tee Khaw). I also participated in several multicenter collaborative studies.
Since returning to Japan in 2011, I have served as Chief of Breast Imaging, engaging in research, clinical practice, and education in breast imaging with a particular focus on breast MRI. My current research themes include: (1) ultrafast dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast; (2) non-contrast MRI diagnosis, including diffusion-weighted imaging; (3) dedicated breast PET as a screening and preoperative diagnostic tool; (4) AI-based computer-aided detection (AI-CAD) for mammography; and (5) mammographic density, to which I have recently returned as part of projects to establish breast cancer risk prediction tools for Japanese women using the CanRisk tool.
Guided by the theme of "the present and future of diagnostic imaging and breast imaging," I am committed to pioneering new fields such as predictive imaging.
The development of clinical practice guidelines in diagnostic imaging and breast cancer is another area of my expertise. I have served on the guideline committees of the Japan Radiological Society (JRS) since 2013 and the Japanese Breast Cancer Society (JBCS) since 2018. I believe that clinical guidelines play a vital role in bridging research evidence and clinical practice.
My academic and professional activities include serving as a reviewer and editor for peer-reviewed journals, and as a committee member of major societies, including the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the JRS, the JBCS, the Japanese Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (JSMRM), and the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine (JSNM). Recent major roles include Board Member of the JSMRM (2020–2024; 2026–present), Chair of the JSMRM Diversity Promotion Committee (2022–2024; 2026–present), Member of the ISMRM Board of Trustees (2023–2026), Executive Board Member (Special Appointment) of the JBCS (2023–2026), and Chair of the JBCS DX-AI Committee (2024–2026).