Eiji obtained his B.S. degree in Physics, Informatics, and Biology from Yamaguchi University, Japan, in 2006, and his Ph.D. in Life Sciences from Kyoto University, Japan, in 2011. His B.S. thesis focused on the early development of Xenopus laevis, while his Ph.D. research centered on whole-body metabolic regulation and islet physiology. He pursued further training in genomics, physiology, and stem cell biology at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, where he developed a novel system for creating functional human organoids. In April 2020, he joined the Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical center as assistant professor of Medicine at UCLA to advance ongoing research programs.

Selected Honors and Awards

2022 JDRF-Career Development Award (USA)

2020                California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)-DISC2 Quest award (USA)

2020                Lundquist Institute, Department of Endocrinology, Voucher Award (USA)

2020                Mishima Kaiun Memorial Foundation Research Award (JAPAN)

2020                Award the Integrated Islet Distribution Program (IIDP) Islet Award Initiative (IAI) Pilot Grant (USA)

2020                Award UCLA CTSI Core Voucher Award (USA)

2018                 Leading Initiative for Excellent Young Researchers (Takuetsu) Award of JSPS (JAPAN)

2018                 Award a DRC Pilot and Feasibility Projects in Endocrinology & Diabetes (Sub award for NIHP30 DK063491)(USA)

2014                  Kanae Foundation for Promotion of Medical Science, Research grant award (International)

2012                 Award a Research Grant In-Aid of JSPS (For Postdoctoral Researchers) (International)

2011                  Award a Research Grant In-Aid of Uehara Foundation (International)

2011                   Kyoto University President’s Award 2011 (JAPAN)

Jinhyuk obtained his B.S. degree in Molecular Biology from Pusan National University/South Korea in 2013 and his M.S degree in Life science from Pohang University of Science and Technology/South Korea in 2017. He graduated with a Ph.D. degree in Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology/South Korea in 2021. His Ph.D. thesis was related to investigating the transcriptional program that supports cellular metabolism in the exocrine pancreas. He joined Yoshihara lab in June 2022, to develop a scalable method to generate functional human islet organoids. Outside of the lab, he enjoys swimming and CrossFit.

Yu obtained her B.S. degree in Science from Kyoto University in 2017 and her M.S degree in Life science from The University of Tokyo in 2019. She graduated with a Ph.D. degree in Graduate School of Science from The University of Tokyo in 2023. Her Ph.D. research focused on the association between the expression specificity of non-coding RNAs and the pattern of gene loci on the 3D structure of the genome. She joined Yoshihara lab in Jan 2025, to develop an AI model that can quantitatively analyze the differentiation state of cells. Yu enjoys drawing and baking.

Fritz is from the university of the Philippines and University of British Columbia, with BSc in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. He worked in the Salk Institute of Biological Sciences as a research technician in the Ron Evans Lab, focusing on the roles of nuclear receptors and bile acids on metabolic diseases such as cancer, IBD and diabetes. He joined the Lundquist Institute at the UCLA-Medical Harbor as a grad student to learn more about translational research in the field of diabetes. He enjoys everything coffee- and chocolate-flavored.

Clarissa graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Health and Human Sciences in 2022. At USC, she worked in the Nealson laboratory, categorizing novel species of extremophile bacteria. She is excited to be a part of the Yoshihara lab and to contribute to translational diabetes research. While not in the lab, Clarissa enjoys doing puzzles and trying new foods. 

Harvey earned his B.S. in Biology and Biotechnology certification from Cal State University, Long Beach in 2011. He has previously worked with various rodent models researching stem cell therapeutics for spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, small molecule readthrough compounds for treatment of ataxia telangiectasia, and hydrogels for treatment of ischemic stroke. He joined the Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center as a graduate student and is currently investigating the transgenerational effects of perinatal nicotine exposure on multiple organ systems. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his children and making them laugh.