Kazutaka Fukumura
Sunstar Americas
Schaumburg,IL
10
years of professional experience
Multidisciplinary Instructor and Molecular Biologist with 8+ years of experience in multiomic characterization, genomic profiling, and therapeutic discovery. Expertise in leading in vitro and in vivo research initiatives, managing large-scale clinical datasets, and mentoring junior scientists in collaborative, high-impact environments. Recognition for completing glioma and brain metastasis research, including publications in peer-reviewed journals such as Nature Communications. Ready to coordinate across departments and institutions to generate, analyze, and interpret complex datasets to drive translational breakthroughs.
Experienced R&D researcher skilled in product efficacy and regulatory affairs. Proven ability to coordinate clinical studies and collaborate across global teams to enhance research methodologies.
Work History
R&D Researcher
10 Months- Conducted laboratory experiments to support product development initiatives.
- Assisted in analyzing data to evaluate product performance and effectiveness.
- Collaborated with global cross-functional teams to enhance research methodologies.
- Documented findings and prepared reports for internal stakeholders.
- Prepare the safety assessment reports to human subjects for new ingredients in collaboration with the regulatory affairs team
- Coordinate a clinical study for a new product
- Propose effective claims via the marketing search and design studies required for claims
Instructor
3 Years 9 Months- Oversaw large-scale genomic profiling by managing over 5,000 glioma specimens, contributing to major discoveries through DNA extraction, whole-exome sequencing, and SNP array analysis
- Led multiomic analysis of brain metastases by directing the extraction of DNA and RNA from 400+ FFPE samples, coordinating RNA-seq, whole-exome sequencing, and TCR-seq
- Coordinated data integration for high-throughput studies by analyzing multiomic datasets, advancing understanding of therapeutic responses in metastatic disease
- Cultivated cross-institutional collaboration by engaging over 20 researchers to facilitate specimen sharing, dataset coordination, and scientific discussion, promoting shared analysis strategies
- Advanced team science through contributions to a Nature Communications publication, demonstrating a collaborative approach to cutting-edge research
- Supported departmental progress by collaborating with 6+ internal and external investigators on joint projects in neuro-oncology and molecular pathology
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
5 Years- Led spatial genome heterogeneity project by extracting DNA from frozen glioma and blood samples, preparing NGS libraries, and performing methylation array profiling
- Facilitated a familial glioma study by handling FFPE and blood-derived samples, preparing sequencing libraries, and executing methylation analysis, supporting lead genomic data generation
- Directed a brain metastasis characterization study by extracting DNA, RNA, and protein from tissue and blood, performing whole-exome and RNA-sequencing, and analyzing immune markers
- Conducted drug screening by testing therapies on brain metastasis mouse models and cell lines, contributing to therapeutic viability assessments
- Carried out mitochondrial and tumor burden assessments by performing in vivo and ex vivo analysis with bioluminescence imaging, enabling evaluation of treatment effects
- Strengthened interdepartmental collaboration by aligning with clinical researchers and lab scientists to maintain data integrity and advance translational insights
Education
Ph.D. - Molecular Biology
Master of Science - Molecular Biology
Bachelor of Science - Pharmacology
Skills
DNA/RNA/Protein Extraction
High-throughput sequencing (Whole-exome sequencing
RNA-seq
TCR-seq)
SNP Arrays
Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR)
Quantitative PCR
siRNA/shRNA Knockdown
Western Blotting
Flow Cytometry
Immunohistochemistry/Classroom Management
Laboratory Management
Data Analysis
Preparation for Regulatory Affairs reports
Coordination of clinical studies
Marketing Research
Timeline
R&D Researcher
Sunstar Americas
09.2025 - CurrentRead More
Instructor
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
12.2021 - 09.2025Read More
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
12.2016 - 12.2021Read More
University of Tokyo
Ph.D. from Molecular Biology
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University of Tokyo
Master of Science from Molecular Biology
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Nihon University
Bachelor of Science from Pharmacology
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