Biography of Dr. Yasuteru Kondo Self-introduction Dr. Yasuteru Kondo, M.D., Ph.D., is a Visiting Associate Professor at the Department of Gastroenterology, Kumamoto University Hospital, and Vice President of Sendai Tokushukai Hospital. He is a leading researcher in liver immunology, viral hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and metabolic liver diseases. His academic focus also includes the development of novel treatment tools for HCC and portal hypertension, cellular immunology, and molecular immunology. Education background Dr. Kondo received his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Japanese institutions renowned for medical education and hepatology research. His advanced training and professional titles were obtained through clinical and research programs that emphasized translational hepatology and clinical trial design. Career Dr. Kondo’s long-term career goal is to bridge clinical practice and basic research to improve outcomes for liver disease patients. He has engaged in both academic medicine and hospital administration, aiming to implement immunological and molecular discoveries into real-world therapeutic approaches for liver disorders. Research field Dr. Kondo has made significant contributions to the fields of liver immunology and hepatocellular carcinoma. His research stands out for its translational approach—integrating basic cellular/molecular immunology with novel therapeutic strategies for liver cancer and portal hypertension. He is especially known for clinical studies that improve treatment stratification in HCC and for exploring immunotherapy regimens that preserve hepatic function. Academic contributions Dr. Kondo has authored over 95 peer-reviewed publications, with 35 as first author and 20 as corresponding author. His work has been cited 3,961 times (h-index 36), attesting to its international impact. His research has influenced treatment guidelines and expanded the understanding of immunological mechanisms in liver disease, contributing to clinical innovations such as combination therapies for HCC and personalized approaches to viral hepatitis treatment. Conference presentations He has delivered 61 academic presentations at major international conferences, including AASLD, EASL, APASL, and JDDW. His talks have received awards and sparked active discussions, especially in sessions on HCC combination therapies and immunological biomarkers. Publications Dr. Kondo’s recent impactful works include: 1. Sci Rep. 2022 – Demonstrated benefits of DEB-TACE plus hepatic artery infusion in advanced HCC. 2. Drugs Real World Outcomes 2023 – Real-world effectiveness of lenvatinib in unresectable HCC. 3. Cancers 2023 – Highlighted therapeutic adaptations of atezolizumab + bevacizumab therapy. 4. Liver Cancer 2023 – The TACTICS-L trial, a pioneering study on combination strategies in intermediate-stage HCC. Contributions to journals Dr. Kondo has peer-reviewed over 200 manuscripts and served on the editorial board of the World Journal of Gastroenterology for 5 years. He is also a reviewer for Hepatology, Journal of Virology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology Research, and Journal of Gastroenterology. Professional skills Dr. Kondo excels in: • Leadership and Management: Vice President of a major hospital, managing clinical and research programs. • Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Frequently lectures at academic events, mentors junior researchers. • Mentoring: Actively supervises Ph.D. students and clinical fellows. • Problem-solving: Develops therapeutic strategies tailored to patient immunology profiles. • Active Listening and Collaboration: Essential in multidisciplinary tumor boards and clinical trials. Social titles He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and an active member of APASL, JSH (Japan Society of Hepatology), and the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology. Social impact Dr. Kondo has contributed to formulating guidelines and expert consensus statements in hepatology, particularly in areas such as viral hepatitis management and systemic therapy sequencing for HCC. Daily activities Beyond his medical commitments, Dr. Kondo enjoys distance running, classical music, and reading modern Japanese literature. These activities help maintain his mental resilience and creativity in clinical research.