The University of Chicago

Takeyoshi Ota, MD, PhD

Takeyoshi Ota, MD, PhD

Professor of Surgery; Co-Director, Center for Aortic Diseases

Takeyoshi Ota, MD, PhD, is an expert in the surgical treatment of aortic disease. He also participates in the heart failure and ventricular assist device, and heart transplantation programs.

In addition to publishing numerous works in scientific journals, Dr. Ota serves as a reviewer for several publications, including The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Biomaterials and the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. He also has contributed to book chapters on aortic disease, heart valve disease, and heart failure. He has been invited to present his work at national and international conferences on cardiothoracic surgery. Dr. Ota also holds a number of international patents regarding tissue engineering.

Current Lab Members

Atsushi Nemoto, MD

Atsushi Nemoto, MD

Clinical Associate of Surgery

 

Dr. Nemoto is an expert in cardiac surgery. his research projects includes autoaortic root replacement in orthotopic heart transplantation and clinical outcomes in elderly undergoing left ventricular assist device.

Yusuke Tsukioka, MD

Yusuke Tsukioka, MD

Transplant and Mechanical Support Fellow

 

Dr. Tsukioka earned a MPH from Imperial College London (Detection of pre-existing cardiovascular disease by the NHS health check program). His research projects includes a role of SNS in the field of cardiac surgery and clinical outcomes in LVAD patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Daniel Rodgers

Daniel Rodgers

Lab Manager

Daniel Rodgers is an expert in clinical research and serves as the Manager of Cardiac and Vascular Research and Ota Lab Manager. 

Former Lab Members

Akiko Tanaka, MD PhD

Akiko Tanaka, MD PhD

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (October 2013 - June 2015)

Current: Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, Texas

“I had an amazing experience in Dr. Ota’s lab. The lab is full of new ideas in the field of cardiac surgery.  Dr. Dr. Ota is the best mentor to learn how to be efficient and taught me all the important tips to write a paper. Also I would really thank to the people in the cardiac surgery department and Animal Lab for treating me like their family.”

 

Yojiro Koda, MD

Yojiro Koda, MD

Research Fellow (July 2018- July 2020)

 

Current: Assistant Professor at Kobe University Hospital in Japan (August 2020-Present)

“ The time with Dr.Ota in Chicago has been a precious treasure for me. You would learn nothing science but the art of life in the Ota lab. Dr.Ota and his colleagues are awesome!”

Hidefumi Nishida, MD

Hidefumi Nishida, MD

Clinical fellow and Clinical associate (2018-2022)

 

Current: Attending surgeon at department of cardiovascular surgery in St. Luke’s International Hospital

“Dr. Ota was a great mentor for me not only as a cardiac surgeon but as a researcher. In the operation room, I spent a lot of precious time with him. Through discussion during surgery, many good ideas for research struck me. His lab is a perfect one for young, ambitious surgeons.”

Tatsuya Watanabe, MD

Tatsuya Watanabe, MD

Research fellow (September 2021-August 2022)

Current: The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Breuer Lab

“My experience in the Ota lab has been invaluable to my overall research experience. It was through Dr. Ota’s mentorship and guidance that I grew to recognize the importance of connecting pure science with clinical applications through translational research. I am inspired by Dr. Ota’s intelligence, vision, creativity and compassion. Spending time as a research fellow at the Ota Lab further motivated for basic research. I will continue my research on tissue engineering and strive to be surgeon-scientist, just like Dr. Ota does.”