Yoshiaki Tsuji

Yoshiaki Tsuji is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University (NC State), affiliated with the Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program and the Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE). His research focuses on gene regulation and signaling pathways governing iron homeostasis and antioxidant defense mechanisms in response to chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., cisplatin) and environmental toxicants (e.g., arsenic, cadmium). He explores how perturbations in iron metabolism contribute to diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. Dr. Tsuji leads an active lab emphasizing hypothesis-driven research in mammalian cell systems, with a focus on mechanisms regulating ferritin, Nrf2-ARE signaling, and mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Since joining NC State in 2001, he has trained 9 graduate students (6 PhD, 3 MS), 4 undergraduates, and 5 postdoctoral fellows, while mentoring 19 lab rotation students. His teaching roles include course coordination for TOX710 “Molecular and Biochemical Toxicology.” His lab is part of the College of Sciences, integrating toxicology with broader biological sciences. Research highlights include studies on microRNA regulation, histone modifications, and mitochondrial dysfunction linked to environmental exposures.

Key findings include uncovering roles for HIPK2, TAK1, and p62/SQSTM1 in antioxidant responses, as well as mechanisms of iron transporter regulation (DMT1, ferroportin). His work bridges fundamental toxicology with translational applications in disease prevention and therapy development.