Contact
Email: hxm414@miami.edu
Roles
Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery
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Biography
Over the past 20 years, my research has significantly contributed to the advancement of our knowledge about the brain mechanism of itch: (1) Discovery of the top-down itch modulation system in the brain, (2) the identification of representative brain regions associated with itch, (3) the identification of itch specific brain region (i.e., the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex), and (4) the mechanism of excessive scratching. My research activity is not limited to basic research. I have explored new therapy for itch targeting the brain. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method. Since this method is safe and has no side effect, the efficacy of tDCS has been used for treatments for a variety of neurological and psychiatric diseases. I am the first researcher who assessed the efficacy of tDCS for itch relief. I found that tDCS can reduce itch. Neuromodulation including tDCS is expected to be a new therapy for itch in future, and may help many chronic itch patients to whom existing treatments for itch do not show sufficient treatment effects.
My research projects concerning itch have been supported by highly competitive Japanese grants without interruption (The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)). I was also awarded the fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany. In 2013, I moved to the U.S. In current, I am in charge of the Brain imaging Unit at Miami Itch Center, the University of Miami. I have received several grants such as the national eczema association, university’s internal grant, and NIH. -
Education & Training
Education
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Honors & Awards
No result found
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Teaching Interests
Teaching students is an important and rewarding work for me, because knowledge and skill learned through my educational activity will become an important basis for students who promote a better society in the future. I have been involved in a variety of educational activity since 2007. I put a priority on how I can give attractive lectures that students are interested in subjects and fields. Thus, when I prepare for and conduct lectures, I aways consider whether my next or current lecture is not a passive learning such as students just taking note about what I talk. In particular, I consider that a picture is worth a thousand words. Thus, whenever I can do, I have bring experimental devices and given students opportunities to conduct data analysis. If these are difficult, I have consider to prepare a short cartoon video related to subjects that I teach. By combining these experience-based or visually-based lectures to my lectures, it enables students to understand knowledge and skill easier and deeper, which also leads to active discussions. This further deepens their understanding. Students often tell me that it is very interesting lecture. This word is reward for me and motivates me to provide better lectures to students. Students are also my teachers to improve my teaching skills. -
Research Interests
My research interest is to understand the neurophysiology of the skin-brain interaction and how manipulations or impairments of this interaction causes or improve itch and skin diseases. -
Publications
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