Driven by intellectual curiosity,
we strive to pioneer future medicine through basic research in oral pathology

On August 1, 2025, I was appointed Professor of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathobiology at the Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University. My name is Toshinori Ando.

Our laboratory conducts molecular pathology research on a wide range of diseases in the oral and maxillofacial region, including oral cancer and periodontal disease. In particular, we focus on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which accounts for about 90% of oral cancers, as well as odontogenic tumors and salivary gland neoplasms. Our goal is to elucidate how genetic alterations influence downstream signaling pathways in cancer, and how these changes contribute to tumor development, drug resistance, and immune evasion. Through this work, we aim to lay the foundation for future therapeutic strategies and drug discovery.

We are also actively exploring the links between periodontal disease and systemic conditions, such as liver disease and cardiovascular disease. By fostering collaboration between dentistry and medicine, we aim to clarify the mechanisms by which oral diseases impact overall health, and to contribute to advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

In the clinical setting, oral pathology plays a vital role in supporting treatment decisions and prognostic evaluations through accurate diagnosis. As a board-certified oral pathologist at the university hospital, I am engaged in tissue diagnostics, intraoperative consultations, and cytopathology, constantly striving to improve diagnostic accuracy. I am also dedicated to educating future dental professionals and researchers through lectures and clinical training. In particular, I hope to nurture oral pathologists who possess not only diagnostic expertise but also strong research capabilities and a global perspective.

With a commitment to excellence in education, research, and diagnostics, our team strives to reach the highest standards on the global stage. We sincerely appreciate your continued support and guidance for our department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathobiology at Hiroshima University.

  • March 2010　Graduated from the School of Dentistry, Hiroshima University

  • April 2010 – March 2011 Dental Intern, Hiroshima University Hospital

  • April 2011 – March 2015 PhD Program, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University

  • April 2012 – February 2015 JSPS Research Fellow (DC1), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

  • March 2015 – August 2017 Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathobiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University

  • September 2017 – March 2020 Postdoctoral Employee, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

  • September 2018 – March 2020 Project Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University (Cross-appointed with UCSD)

  • April 2020 – September 2020 Clinical Dentist, Center of Oral Clinical Examination, Hiroshima University Hospital

  • October 2020 – March 2024 Assistant Professor, Center of Oral Clinical Examination, Hiroshima University Hospital

  • April 2024 – March 2025 Lecturer, Center of Oral Clinical Examination, Hiroshima University Hospital

  • August 2025 – Present Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathobiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University

  • Licensed Autopsy Practitioner (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan), No. 9044

  • Board-Certified Oral Pathologist (The Japanese Society of Pathology), No. 184

  • Certified Supervisor for Oral Pathology Training (The Japanese Society of Pathology)

  • Board-Certified Molecular Pathologist (Oral Pathology) (The Japanese Society of Pathology), No. 0369

  • Board-Certified Dental Cytopathologist (The Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology), No. 8046

  • Certified Cytopathology Training Supervisor (The Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology), No. 1066

  • Certified Member (Dental Practitioner) of the Japanese Society of Oral Medicine, No. 3-20018

  • Certified Dental Clinical Training Instructor

  • 2008 Hiroshima University Excellent Student Scholarship – Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement

  • 2009 Encouragement Award, 42nd Annual Meeting of the Hiroshima University Dental Society

  • 2010 Academic Excellence Award, School of Dentistry, Hiroshima University

  • 2010 International Exchange Encouragement Award, School of Dentistry, Hiroshima University

  • 2011 Outstanding Performance Award, Dental Clinical Training Program, Hiroshima University Hospital

  • 2013 2013 IADR/Unilever Hatton Divisional Award

  • 2013 Poster Award, 5th Hiroshima Conference on Education and Science in Dentistry

  • 2016 Poster Award, 18th International Congress on Oral Pathology and Medicine

  • 2017 Encouragement Award (Experimental Pathology Section), Japanese Society of Clinical Oral Pathology

  • 2020 JADR/GC Young Investigator Award 2020, 68th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Dental Research (JADR)

  • 2020 Best Presentation Award, 31st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Oral Pathology

  • 2020 Best Presentation Award (as co-presenter), 31st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Oral Pathology

  • 2021 Outstanding Presentation Award, 135th Slide Conference, Chugoku–Shikoku Branch, Japanese Society of Pathology

  • 2022 President’s Award (Oral Presentation), Joint Meeting of the Japanese Society of Oral Pathology (33rd), Japanese Society of Oral Medicine (32nd), and Japanese Society of Oral Diagnosis/Oral Medicine (35th)

  • 2023 Best Oral Presentation Award (as co-presenter), 68th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

  • 2025 Academic Encouragement Award, The Japanese Society of Pathology

  • Associate Editor, BJC Reports

  • Member, Public Relations Committee, Chugoku-Shikoku Branch, Japanese Society of Pathology

  • Member, Public Relations and International Affairs Committee, Japanese Society of Oral Pathology

  • Member, Education Committee, Japanese Society of Oral Pathology

  • Member, Research Committee, Japanese Society of Oral Pathology

Music (Band, Karaoke, Western Rock)
During my student days at Hiroshima University, I was deeply involved in music, spending most of my time playing in bands. I was a member—and for a year, the president—of the Hiroshima University Kasumi Jazz Society. Some of my favorite bands include The Beatles, Oasis, and Radiohead. As for solo artists, I enjoy Ed Sheeran, and among Japanese musicians, I especially like Fujii Kaze. I also love karaoke—let’s go together sometime! I enjoy singing Western pop/rock songs and speaking English.
In my final year of dental school, when the international exchange program had just begun, I helped launch the Hiroshima University Faculty of Dentistry International Club (HUDIC) as its founding president. We initiated exchange activities with institutions such as Taipei Medical University.

Soccer
I played soccer throughout elementary and junior high school. While studying abroad in the U.S., I started playing again with lab members and got just as passionate about soccer as I was about research. Recently, I’ve started playing in a local club with my child, and it’s become a fun family activity.

Reading
Though I haven’t had much time for it lately, I’ve always enjoyed reading. I’m especially fond of Haruki Murakami’s novels. That said, I end up reading far more scientific papers than novels these days—but I’m always hoping to carve out more time for personal reading.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathobiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University

e-mail:  toando19@hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Tel (Office）：+81-82-257-5631

Tel (Lab)：+81-82-257-5632