Dr. Hiroaki Shimokawa is a distinguished leader in cardiovascular medicine and translational research who currently serves as Vice Dean of the Graduate School and Professor at the International University of Health and Welfare. He obtained both his MD and PhD degrees from Kyushu University, where he later became Assistant Professor in 1991 and Associate Professor in 1995 after completing vascular biology research at the Mayo Clinic from 1985-1987. His career progression included appointment as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine in 2005, where he also directed the Clinical Research Institute and the Big Data Medicine Center. Dr. Shimokawa's leadership in academic medicine has been instrumental in advancing cardiovascular research infrastructure and clinical trial capabilities at major Japanese institutions.
Dr. Shimokawa has pioneered innovative translational research spanning basic science to clinical applications, with particular focus on coronary functional abnormalities including coronary vasospasm and microvascular angina. His groundbreaking work on endothelial functions and development of non-invasive therapies utilizing sound waves has opened new therapeutic avenues for treating ischemic heart disease and dementia by enhancing the body's self-healing capabilities. As one of the ten founding members of COVADIS (Coronary Vasomotor Disorders International Study Group) established in 2012, he has significantly shaped the global understanding and management of coronary microvascular dysfunction. His research contributions have been recognized through prestigious society awards from the American Heart Association in 2006, the European Society of Cardiology in 2014, and the Japan Medical Association, along with two Commendations for Science and Technology by Japan's Ministry of Education.
Currently serving as Co-Editor of the European Heart Journal and guest editor of the International Journal of Cardiology, Dr. Shimokawa continues to influence cardiovascular research dissemination globally. He founded the Japanese Association of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction to advance research and clinical practice in this specialized area, building upon his previous decade-long presidency of the Japanese Association of Gender-specific Medicine from 2012-2022. His leadership extends to clinical research infrastructure development, including directing major clinical research centers that have facilitated numerous trials and epidemiological studies on heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. Dr. Shimokawa remains actively engaged in developing innovative sound wave therapies while mentoring the next generation of cardiovascular researchers through his academic positions and international collaborations.
