Dr Teruhito Ishihara

My academic journey has centered on evolutionary epigenetics, with a focus on genomic imprinting—a process that dictates parent-of-origin-specific gene expression crucial for mammalian development. During my Honours and PhD at the University of Melbourne, I investigated the evolution of imprinting in mammals using a marsupial, the tammar wallaby, as a model. Currently, as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Gavin Kelsey’s lab, I examine non-canonical imprinted genes in mice and develop tools for transcriptional variant-aware imprintome analysis. 

My upcoming Marie Curie fellowship will focus on how aberrant transcription in mouse oocytes affects the epigenome and imprinting, with the goal of advancing assisted reproductive technologies and addressing infertility challenges. This work will contribute to understanding how transcriptional disruptions can influence epigenetic regulation, providing insights into reproductive health.