Ken Inoki

Ken Inoki is the Roger C. Wiggins Collegiate Professor of the Life Sciences and a Research Associate Professor at the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute. He holds Associate Professor appointments in both the Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine and the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology at the U-M Medical School. His research focuses on the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway’s role in diabetes, aging, and cancer.

• Education: MD (1991) and PhD (1998) in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from Shiga University of Medical Science, Japan
• Clinical background: 8 years as a physician in Nephrology at University Hospital, Japan
• Key affiliations: U-M Life Sciences Institute, Medical School, and Klatskin-Sutker Discovery Fund recipient

Research Interests: Dr. Inoki investigates how the mTOR pathway coordinates nutrient and growth factor signals to regulate protein synthesis, lipid biogenesis, and cellular proliferation. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, addressing pathologies in diabetic nephropathy, cancer, and age-related disorders through biochemical and genetic approaches.

Scientific Awards:

• Koikai Award for Excellence in Basic Science (2004)
• Biological Sciences Scholar, University of Michigan (2008)

Lab Members: Collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams at the Ken Inoki Lab (Room 6183A, Life Sciences Institute) on projects funded by the Klatskin-Sutker Discovery Fund, focusing on antiparasitic development and kidney disorder prevention.