My name is TOYA Mika. I have been appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Histogenetic Dynamics starting from the 2025 academic year.
After graduating from the Department of Chemical and Biological Science, Faculty of Science at Japan Women’s University, I spent several years working in industry before deciding to return to the path of becoming a researcher. Although my path was not a conventional one, I was fortunate to receive guidance and support from excellent mentors and colleagues, and in 2001, I obtained a PhD (Doctor of Science) under the supervision of Professor Masayuki Yamamoto at the Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo.
Following this, I conducted research at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL, Heidelberg), Cancer Research UK (London), and the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research. From 2018, I was involved in undergraduate education and research supervision at the Faculty of Advanced Science and Engineering and Global Center for Science and Engineering at Waseda University.
My area of expertise is cell and molecular biology. Fascinated by the morphology of living organisms and the dynamic beauty of the cytoskeleton, I have worked across various model systems—including fission yeast, C. elegans embryos, cultured cells, and mice—to investigate the organisation and function of microtubules.
Here at the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, I hope to share the excitement of basic research to the students. I also aim to contribute to foundational research for drug discovery by drawing on the knowledge and experience I have gained thus far. I would be delighted to collaborate with faculty members both within and outside the department.
I look forward to working with you all.