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Takashi Kitamura, Ph.D.

Takashi Kitamura, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Endowed Title
Southwestern Medical Foundation Scholar in Biomedical Research
School
Medical School
Department
Psychiatry | Neuroscience
Graduate Programs
Neuroscience
  • Biography

    Dr. Kitamura graduated with a bachleor's degree in Biology from Kyushu University in Japan. He obtained his Ph.D. in Biology at Kyushu University, where he studied molecular mechanisms and functional role of adult hippocampla neurogenesis in rodent brain. After a postdoc at Mitsubishi-Kagaku Institute of life Science in Tokyo and an Assistant Professor at University of Toyama in Japan, he conducted neural circuits genetics for learning and memory as a Research Scientist at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From May 2017, Dr. Kitamura started his position in the Department of Psychiatry to examine a biophysically-based and mechanistic understanding of neural circuits, neural processes and memory engrams for learning and memory by using viral technology, transgenic strategy, histology, in vivo calcium imaging, in vivo electrophysiology, cell-type specific manipulation, behavioral assay and work with/programming.

    If you are looking for a position as a Post-Doc, Research Assistant or Grad Student at Kitamura Lab, please send a statement of interests (describing why you are interested in the position, how it would help your career and what you bring into the team), a detailed CV and a list of three references directly to Dr. Kitamura via E-mail: Takashi.Kitamura at UTSouthwestern.edu

  • Education
    Undergraduate
    Kyushu University (2002), Biology
    Graduate School
    Kyushu University (2007), Biology
  • Research Interest
    • Cell-type specific neural circuit dissections for elucidating the neural mechanisms of learning and memory
    • Neural circuit mechanisms for observational learning and prosocial behavior
    • Neurobiological Mechanisms for dysfunction of Entorhinal-Cortical Hippocampus in Alzheimer's Disease
  • Publications

    Star Featured Publications

    Featured Featured Featured Featured Featured Featured Featured
    Outer layer of Vb neurons in medial entorhinal cortex project to hippocampal dentate gyrus in mice.
    Yamamoto N, Yokose J, Ramesh K, Kitamura T, Ogawa SK, Mol Brain 2024 Feb 17 1 5
    Understanding Others' Distress Through Past Experiences: The Role of Memory Engram Cells in Observational Fear.
    Kitamura T, Ramesh K, Terranova JI, Adv Neurobiol 2024 38 215-234
    Optogenetic activation of dopamine D1 receptors in island cells of medial entorhinal cortex inhibits temporal association learning.
    Yokose J, Yamamoto N, Ogawa SK, Kitamura T, Mol Brain 2023 Nov 16 1 78
  • Honors & Awards
    • The Award for Distinguished Investigator of Japanese Society for Neurochemistry, Tokyo, JPN
      (2022)
    • The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) Travel Award, TN, USA
      (2019)
    • Whitehall Foundation Research Grant Award, FL, USA
      (2019)
    • Brain Research Foundation Fay/Frank Seed Grant Award, IL, USA
      (2018)
    • HFSP Young Investigator Grant Award, Strasbourg, FRA
      (2018)
    • NARSAD Young Investigator Grant Award, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, NY, USA
      (2018)
    • Peter and Patricia Gruber International Research Award, DC, USA
      (2017)
    • The Young Scientists Prize for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, JPN
      (2017)
    • UT System Rising STARs Award, TX, USA
      (2017)
    • Infinite Kilometer Award, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, USA
      (2016)
    • Japan Neuroscience Society Young Investigator Award, Japan
      (2016)
    • Junior Faculties Developmental Programs at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
      (2014)
    • Sasagawa Scientific Research Award, JPN
      (2009)
    • Scientific Research Award of Kyushu University, JPN
      (2005)
    • Neuroscience Research Excellent Paper Award, JPN
      (2004)
  • Professional Associations/Affiliations
    • Associate Editor in the Editorial Board of Molecular Brain (Springer Nature) (2017)
    • Associate Member in American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (2024)
    • Association for Neurons and Brain Disease (2007)
    • Editorial board member in Experimental and Molecular Medicine (Springer Nature) (2021)
    • Investigator in the Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UTSW (2021)
    • Japanese Society for Neurochemistry (2016)
    • Molecular and Cellular Cognition Society (2011)
    • Pavlovian Society (2018)
    • Review Editor in the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience (2020)
    • Society for Japanese Neuroscience (2002)
    • Society for Neuroscience (2003)
    • Standing member at Learning, Memory and Decision Neuroscience Study Section, NIH (2023-2027) (2023)