Shin-ichi Kano, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology
Department of Neurobiology
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine
Shin-ichi received his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Tokyo. He started his career as an immunologist focusing on the transcriptional regulation of immune cell fate and function and then accomplished his postdoctoral research work at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. During his postdoctoral work, he established in vitro human cell models to study biological mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. His research also provided insight into immune-mediated mechanisms in psychiatric disorders. As he started his laboratory, he extended his interests in basic research and initiated studies on brain-immune interaction in health and disease. In 2019, his laboratory moved to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Shin-ichi’s research team currently focuses on the immunology of brain function and homeostasis, with cutting-edge technologies in molecular, cellular, and functional biology. Shin-ichi is an Allen Distinguished Investigator, a Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group advised program of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
Positions
2024-
Director, Behavioral Neurobiology division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine
2019-
Associate Professor (tenured in 2023), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine
2014-2018
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2007-2014
Postdoctoral Fellow (Advisor: Dr. Akira Sawa), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2006-2007
Postdoctoral Fellow (Advisor: Dr. Tadatsugu Taniguchi), Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo
2002-2006
Graduate student, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo (Ph.D. in Immunology, 2006; advisor, Dr. Tadatsugu Taniguchi)
1998-2002
Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo (M.D. in 2002).
1996-1998
Pre-med student, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo
Honors and Awards
2024
UAB Endowed Professorship in Mental Health Research
2023
Allen Distinguished Investigator Award
2016
American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) Associate Member
2016
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Discovery Innovation Award
2012
American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) Travel Award
2012
The Hammerschlag Family Investigator, the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
2011
NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)
2011
NARSAD Young Investigator Award, the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
2009
Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research Abroad, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
2008
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Award, Kanae Foundation (Japan)
2007
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Award, Uehara Foundation (Japan)
2004
Ishidu Shun Memorial Predoctoral Research Scholarship (Japan)
