Rate My Professor Shinya Tanaka

Shinya Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D., serves as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Hokkaido University and Professor in the Department of Cancer Pathology, Faculty of Medicine. He also holds the position of Professor in the Department of Surgical Pathology at Hokkaido University Hospital and is a Fellow at the Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD). Tanaka earned his medical degree from Hokkaido University School of Medicine in 1990 and his Ph.D. from the Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine in 1994. His academic career at Hokkaido University includes roles as Assistant Professor from 1994 to 2000, Senior Researcher from 2000 to 2002, Associate Professor from 2003 to 2007, and Professor since 2008. He completed postdoctoral research as a Fellow at The Rockefeller University in the United States from 1994 to 1997.

Tanaka’s research focuses on tumor pathology, with interests in cell control using new materials, machine learning, and complex molecules. His work explores hydrogel-based biomaterials for reprogramming cancer cells into cancer stem cells, neuronal tissue reconstruction, and developing diagnostic and therapeutic tools in cancer pathology and regenerative medicine. He has received numerous honors, including the Incitement Award of The Japanese Cancer Association in 2001, the Research Award of The Japanese Society of Pathology in 2002, the Incitement Award of The Japanese Society of Pathology in 2003, the Hokkaido Governor’s Award and Hokkaido Medical Association Award in 2022, the Japan Pathology Award in 2023, and the Hokkaido University President Award in 2024. Tanaka is Editor-in-Chief of Pathology International since 2020 and Vice-Editor-in-Chief of Brain Tumor Pathology since 2016. He holds leadership roles in several professional societies, such as Vice-President of The Japanese Society of Pathology and Director positions in The Japanese Cancer Association, The Japanese Society of Brain Tumor Pathology, The Japanese Society of Neuropathology, and The Japanese Association for Molecular Target Therapy of Cancer.