*Please add @biken.osaka-u.ac.jp for E-mail.
Eiji Hara, Ph.D. (Professor) E-mail: ehara
I received my Ph.D. from Tokyo University of Science in 1993 and then held postdoctoral positions at the University of California, Berkeley (USA) and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories (UK) before becoming a group leader at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital (UK). I have held my current position since 2015.
My research goal is to understand the relationship between aging and cancer by elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cellular senescence.
Masahiro Wakita, Ph.D.(Assistant Professor)
E-mail: wakita
After receiving my master's degree from the Graduate School of Life Science & Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, I once worked and experienced corporate research.s After that, I obtained my PhD on the relationship between inflammation and carcinogenesis from the Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, and since July 2016, I have been working in the Hara Laboratory focusing on the relationship between inflammation, carcinogenesis and aging. While studying in Hara's lab, which conducts cutting-edge cellular aging research, I aim to establish new cancer therapies.
Ken Uemura, M.D., Ph.D.(Assistant Professor) E-mail: kenuemura
I graduated from Kobe University School of Medicine in 2017. I completed my initial clinical training at Kitano Hospital and Kobe University Hospital. I became interested in aging research and enrolled in the PhD program in the Hara Laboratory in April 2019. I obtained my PhD in September 2024, became a postdoctoral fellow, and in June 2025, I was appointed as an Assistant Professor. I am continuing my research as a postdoctoral fellow. I am committed to becoming a top scientist.
Yumi Katayama, Ph.D.(Specially Appointed Assistant Professor)
E-mail: y-kaytayama
After graduating from the Division of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, I obtained Ph.D. at the Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University. I have been working on transcription factor regulation by growth factors, tumor microenvironment, adjuvant and vaccine development, etc. Since June 2023, I have been a member of the Hara Laboratory. I will do my best to make exciting discoveries in the Hara Laboratory, which is at the forefront of cellular senescence research.
Noriko Shinjo, Ph.D.(Specially Appointed Assistant Professor)
E-mail: nshinjyo

I graduated from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Tokyo and completed my Ph.D. in the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the same university. I subsequently conducted research on neural glial stem cells at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) and the National Research Council (CNR, Italy). I later engaged in infectious disease research at Chiba University and Nagasaki University, and studied tissue repair mechanisms at the Immunology Frontier Research Center of Osaka University. In April 2026, I joined this laboratory. My research aims to understand, at the molecular and cellular levels, why and how the self-repair capacity of tissues declines or fails during processes of responding and adapting to various environmental factors, and to identify the key mechanisms that sustain this regenerative ability. In this outstanding environment at the forefront of cellular senescence research, I hope to learn extensively and contribute meaningfully through steady and dedicated efforts.
Hiroya Mizuno, Ph.D. (Corporate Joint Researcher)
E-mail: hiroyamizuno
After graduating from Meiji University in 2017, I completed the Master's program at Tohoku University Graduate School in 2019, and completed the Doctoral program at Osaka University Graduate School in September 2024 (Doctor of Science). I am currently working as a corporate joint researcher in this laboratory. I will continue to take on new challenges and do my best to achieve results that will have an impact on society.
Satoshi Hattori, Ph.D.(Corporate Joint Researcher)
E-mail: shattori
I completed my Ph.D. at the University of Tsukuba in 2014. I then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Tokyo and Waseda University, where I was engaged in skeletal muscle research. Subsequently, I have been involved in research in the private sector. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to join this laboratory, and I will strive to conduct high-quality research.
Hideka Miyagawa (Technical Assistant) E-mail: miyagawa.h
I have had the good fortune to work in this laboratory. I am not sure if I will be able to be of any help to everyone in the laboratory, but I am grateful for this opportunity and will devote myself to my work every day. My hobbies are gardening and photography.
Yumiko Okumura (Technical Assistant) E-mail: yokumura
I have been working in Hara Laboratory since September 2022. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work in this blessed environment. I will spare no effort and devote myself to being of service to you as soon as possible. I like to exercise and my hobbies are swimming and hiking in the mountains.
Haruna Kimura (Technical Assistant) E-mail:
I have been working here since April 2026. Although my contributions may be modest, I will do my best each day to be of help to everyone. I enjoy watching international TV dramas and traveling.
Ayako Miura (Secretary) E-mail: miura
I will do my best to help everyone in the lab concentrate on their research in a favorable environment and friendly atmosphere.
JeongHoon Park, M.D.(Ph.D. Student / Osaka Univ. Hospital)
E-mail: j-park
After completing the master's course at Keio University Graduate School of Medicine, I entered the University of Osaka School of Medicine as a bachelor's transfer student. After graduation, I worked as an Immunology physician treating various immunological diseases, and have been a graduate student in our laboratory since April 2024. By clarifying the relationship between cellular senescence, immunity, and chronic inflammation, I would like to resolve questions that arise in my clinical practice, and I will work hard to contribute to patient care.
Dai Sakamoto(MSc Student)E-mail: dsakamoto
After graduating from the School of Science at the University of Osaka in 2025, I enrolled in the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, and have been working in this laboratory. Although I am still inexperienced, I will do my best to catch up with my senior colleagues as soon as possible.
Yuyu Higashino (MSc Student) E-mail: hyuyu
After graduating from the School of Applied Biological Science at Hiroshima University in 2026, I enrolled in the Master’s program at the Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Osaka, where I am currently working in this laboratory. Although I still have much to learn, I am committed to approaching my research with sincerity while steadily deepening my understanding step by step.
Kotono Kanno (MSc Student) E-mail: koto510
After graduating from the School of Science at the University of Hyogo in 2026, I enrolled in the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, where I am currently a member of this laboratory. I will work diligently to contribute to the laboratory as soon as possible.