Even after studying biology for years, it still amazes me that the tiny cells I observe under the microscope are individually and collectively achieving daily yet astonishing bodily functions that we take for granted. The motivation behind my research is to gain a more intuitive understanding of how these cellular functions are executed and – more interestingly – why cells do what they do.

In Galit’s lab, I investigate what happens in cells with micronuclei, which are thought to be one of the driving forces of cancer evolution. Currently, I am focusing on how p53 and other proteins/pathways affect the fate of micronuclei and subsequent inflammatory responses within cells.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and dancing to hip-hop music.

I used to travel all around Japan and collect various stag beetle species. Eventually, I collected about two-thirds of all the stag beetle subspecies in the country (i.e., about 30 subspecies).