CAREER

Professor Sonoda earned his M.D. in 1991 and his Ph.D. in immunology in 1997, both from Kyushu University. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Schepens Eye Research Institute in Boston before returning to Kyushu University as an Assistant Professor in 2000. From 2010 to 2015, he served as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine. He is currently in his position at Kyushu University.
Professor Sonoda’s primary research interests focus on regulating ocular inflammation and the role of innate T cells (such as γδT cells, NKT cells, and MAIT cells) in maintaining ocular immune privilege. His groundbreaking work, evidenced by numerous publications, includes establishing systemic tolerance associated with the posterior segment of the eye, mediated by innate T cells and hyalocytes, which play a role in preserving "immune privilege." Another significant achievement is his innovation in visualizing the vitreous cortex using triamcinolone acetonide during vitrectomy. Additionally, Professor Sonoda is actively investigating proinflammatory factors associated with uveitis, utilizing single-cell analysis to identify early and critical chronic cell populations involved in the disease. His pioneering research has earned him high regard in the fields of uveitis and vitreoretinal surgery.
Professor Sonoda currently serves as the President of the Japanese Ocular Inflammation Society (JOIS), the Executive Director of the Japanese Ophthalmological Society (JOS), and a Executive Director of the Japanese Society of Clinical Immunology (JSCI). He is also a board member of several organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-retina Society, the Japanese Retina and Vitreous Society, the Japanese Society for Clinical Immunology, the Japan Society for Ocular Circulation, Japanese Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology, and the Japan Myopia Society.