معرفی
Yasuko Iwakiri, Ph.D., is a Professor of Medicine (Digestive Diseases) at Yale School of Medicine, affiliated with the Department of Medicine (Digestive Diseases). Her research focuses on liver vascular biology, including lymphatic systems, fibrosis mechanisms, and alcohol-induced liver disease. She leads the Iwakiri Lab, investigating hepatic stellate cells, Kupffer cells, and therapeutic nanoparticle delivery. Key contributions include studies on Nogo-B protein’s role in fibrosis and lymphangiogenesis’s protective effects. Dr. Iwakiri is a recipient of awards such as the Samuel D. Kushlan Award and holds editorial roles in journals like Hepatology Communications.
Research Interests: Her work bridges basic science and translational medicine. Major areas include vascular biology of the liver, fibrosis pathogenesis, and alcohol-related liver injury. She explores novel therapeutic approaches using nanoparticles targeting specific liver cells. Notable findings include the sympathetic nervous system’s role in hepatic lymphangiogenesis and mechanisms of liver sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction in alcohol-related diseases.
Publications: Over 120 peer-reviewed articles highlight her contributions to understanding liver lymphatics, fibrosis, and disease models. Recent work includes guidelines on portal hypertension and studies on IL-7-based identification of liver lymphatic cells.
Awards and Honors:
- Samuel D. Kushlan Junior Faculty Award (2012)
- Clinical and Translational Scholar Award (2007)
- National Research Awards (2000–2005)
Lab and Collaborations: The Iwakiri Lab collaborates with departments like Biomedical Engineering and Oncology. Key partners include Dr. Mark Saltzman (nanoparticle research) and Dr. William Sessa (vascular biology).
