Faculty Members TOMITA Hiroshi

TOMITA Hiroshi
Professor
- Biological Sciences
- [Master's Program] Biological Sciences
- [Doctoral Program] Fundamental and Applied Sciences
Degrees Obtained
- PhD (Medicine)
Fields of Research
- Visual Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
Profile
- March 1992: Completed Master's Program (Master's of Agriculture), Department of Agriculture, Kyoto Prefectural University Graduate School
- January 1998: Assistant, Ophthalmology Courses, School of Medicine Tohoku University Graduate School
- November 2002: Ophthalmology Courses, Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma, USA
- July 2004: Assistant Professor, Tohoku University Biomedical Engineering Research Organization
- April 2008: Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Field of Medical and Dental Medicine, Institute for International Advanced Interdisciplinary Research, International Advanced Research and Education Organization, Tohoku University
- April 2012 - Present: Professor, Chemistry and Bioengineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Iwate University
- Visiting Professor, Clinical Research, Innovation and Education Center, Tohoku University Hospital
- Visiting Researcher, Applied Intelligence Team, RIKEN
Research Themes
Utilizing artificial retinas and green algae genes to restore visual functions in the blind
It is said that over 80% of the information we receive from the external world is through our eyes, so the eyes are an organ that play a huge role in our lives. Approximately 16,000 people lose their sight every year due to various diseases, but there is currently no treatment that restores visual functions. I conduct research into treatments that make use of artificial retinas with implanted LSI chips and green algae genes, in the aim of restoring visual functions in the blind. I am also aiming to clarify the various functions that the complex visual information processing system plays through this research.

Teaching Philosophy
“Nothing is futile.” I aim to educate students so they can flexibly apply the results of their research and knowledge, and contribute to society.