For the fifth “Find-Your-Role-Model Session” in AY2021 (64th overall), we invited Noriaki Ono, DDS, PhD, Associate Professor at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry as the guest speaker.

After graduating summa cum laude from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) in 2003 with a DDS degree, Dr. Ono continued his research on the biology of skeletal lineage cells and their role in health and diseases of craniofacial and skeletal tissues. He achieved a PhD degree from TMDU’s Department of Orthodontic Science, and after completing his clinical fellowship in Orthodontics at TMDU, he moved to the United States in 2009, where he completed his research fellowship in the Endocrine Unit of Massachusetts General Hospital.  His research has been funded by the NIH through K99/ R00 and R01 mechanisms. After he became Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, he then rose to the rank of Associate Professor (tenure position) in 2020. In July 2021, he was recruited to the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry and is currently continuing his research on the role of skeletal stem cells on a larger scale.

When he was an undergraduate student, Dr. Ono visited various laboratories of the university and talked to many researchers with different perspectives. He decided to become a researcher through these experiences, and he emphasized the importance of challenging oneself.

Dr. Ono also advised that "communication skills" and "flexibility" are important factors for establishing a career in the United States as an independent researcher. He mentioned the value of communicating one’s preferences to others as well as actively looking for opportunities by expanding your networks. He believes that especially in the United States, where people with various backgrounds gather, good communication between the lab members as well as compassion towards one another leads to success in research.

Although Dr. Ono was offered a tenure position as Associate Professor at University of Michigan School of Dentistry, he decided to move to the University of Texas, which invited him to conduct research on a larger scale. It was a risky choice, but he wanted to move in search of opportunities to grow as a researcher.

This session, in which we were able to hear directly from Dr. Ono, was a very exciting, meaningful, and wonderful opportunity for students who will soon start their careers as researchers.