Meet Dr Shunsuke Kawamura working on human blood cells
The Japanese researcher holds an EMBO long-term fellowship to support his work on the production of human blood cells in Professor Timm Schroeder's Cell Systems Dynamics Group.

Dr Shunsuke Kawamura, what did you know about D-BSSE before you came here, and what was your motivation to come to ETH Zurich?
My first contact with D-BSSE was via the lab of Professor Timm Schroeder. As the D-BSSE provides a true interdisciplinary research environment I strongly believe that it is the best place for me to answer my current scientific questions, which are truly interdisciplinary and to pursue my research career. So, I applied at Schroeder’s lab – and here I am!
What were your expectations and were your expectations met since you arrived in Basel?
My expectation of D-BSSE is that I meet different researchers and learn about their fields of research, and get inspired by things I’ve not known before. Although it has been only three weeks since I joined D-BSSE, I have a very good feeling. The Tuesday seminar series is very good for inspiration and networking.
What were your first impressions?
My first impressions on Schroeder’s lab were extremely positive! Group leader, postdocs and students – they all have their own ideas which is very stimulating. So, I have a really good feeling that this environment nurtures big science!
Which research will you pursue at D-BSSE?
I’m interested in the development of human blood cells and how these could be regulated. I want to study these complex systems in totally new ways.
Which hobby or private interests do you hope to pursue in Switzerland?
My hobby is hiking. So, I’m going to enjoy the landscape in Switzerland. And I also want to explore new hobbies here in Switzerland, something I can enjoy together with my wife and daughter!
Thank you and all the best with your research!
Dr Shunsuke Kawamura is a Japanese researcher specializing in human hematology. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science (2010) and Master’s degree of Medical Science (2012), and did his PhD in Immunology (2017) at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU, Japan). He then worked in the field of human hematology at TMDU as a postdoc. During his PhD, he trained with Professor Toshiaki Ohteki to successfully identify human common monocyte progenitors, cMoPs (see article by Kawamura et al. 2017 published in Immunity). He currently holds an EMBO long-term fellowship and receives research funding from the Kanzawa Medical Research Foundation and an overseas study abroad travel expenses grant from the Mitsukoshi Health and Welfare Foundation to support his work on human hematopoiesis in Professor Timm Schroeder’s Cell Systems Dynamics Group.