My name is Koji Atarashi, and I have been appointed as a professor at Department of Bacteriology as of April 1, 2024. First and foremost, I am deeply honored to have been given this prestigious position.

After graduating from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science at Kyushu University in 2004, I entered to the Master's Program at the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, where I began my research at the Medical Institute of Bioregulation under Professor Kiyoshi Takeda. When Professor Takeda moved to Osaka University, I continued my studies through the doctoral program at Osaka University. Subsequently, I conducted research at the University of Tokyo, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, and Keio University School of Medicine under Professor Kenya Honda, focusing on the interactions between the gut microbiota and the host immune system.

At Kyushu University, I intend to further advance the research on gut microbiota that I have been conducting, with the aim of elucidating new functions of gut bacteria and their impacts. I believe that deepening collaboration with various laboratories and clinical departments is crucial for promoting integrated research on gut microbiota. Through active collaborative research, I hope to contribute to the development of an enhanced research environment at Kyushu University. I sincerely appreciate your continued guidance and support in the future.