Kotaro Sasaki, MD, PhD, Named Richard King Mellon Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine

Andrew M. Hoffman, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) has named Kotaro Sasaki, MD, PhD, the Richard King Mellon Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences.

Sasaki’s research is focused on the development and pathophysiology of urogenital and reproductive organ systems; his laboratory is advancing the understanding of human infertility, reproduction, and endocrinology. He possesses an exceptional record of academic accomplishments. His work on converting stem cells into male germ cells, and understanding how the human body generates spermatozoa, was awarded an Open Philanthropy grant of $2,585,990 in addition to grants from the NIH and other funding agencies. He is a recipient of the Endocrine Society’s 2023 Early Investigator Award which supports early-career investigators in endocrine-related research; the 2023 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence; and the 2023 ENS@T Award for best scientific work in the field of adrenal tumors.

“Dr. Sasaki is transforming our understanding of the development and diseases of reproductive and adrenal organs by integrating meticulous comparative physiology with highly creative, pioneering approaches using stem cell-derived organoid models,” said Christopher J. Lengner, PhD, Harriet Ellison Woodward Associate Professor and chair of Penn Vet’s Department of Biomedical Sciences. “His scholarly contributions and novel insights are not only addressing fundamental questions regarding germ cell and adrenal biology, but they are providing a foundation for the development of novel therapeutic approaches.”

Sasaki earned his MD degree from Hokkaido University School of Medicine, and his PhD from Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, both in Japan. He completed his surgical pathology residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a renal pathology fellowship at the University of Washington Medical Center. After completion of his clinical training, Sasaki pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at Kyoto University before joining Penn Vet’s faculty as an assistant professor in 2018.

The awarding of a named, endowed professorship is the highest honor bestowed upon a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and reflects a commitment to scientific discovery, mentorship, and academic service.