UNMC researcher Tadayoshi Bessho, Ph.D., answers questions about his work, life and interests.
NOTE: This profile is part of a series highlighting the 23 researchers who will be honored at an April 6 ceremony for UNMC’s 2009 Scientist Laureate, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator award recipients.
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Tadayoshi Bessho, Ph.D. |
- Name: Tadayoshi Bessho, Ph.D.
- Title: Associate professor in the Eppley Institute
- Joined UNMC: July 2003
- Hometown: Niimi, Okayama, Japan
Describe your research in laymen’s terms.
DNA is subjected to chemical alterations by agents from inside cells and from the environment. We study how DNA repair pathways fix these damaged sections of DNA.
How does your research contribute to science and/or health care?
Our work will contribute to the understanding of how cells maintain chromosome stability and the processes that predispose humans to cancer. Results from our research may also help improve the treatment of cancer by taking advantage of cancer defects to customize drugs for different types of cancer with minimal side effects.
Beyond grant funding, how do you measure success?
I measure success based on how much influence our research can have on the scientific community, and how much I (and our research) can inspire next generation of scientists.
List three things few people know about you.
- I passed a national examination to be a licensed pharmacist in Japan.
- I married my wife in Japan and came to the United States the very next day.
- I (we) have lived in four different American cities — Galveston, Texas; Chapel Hill, N.C.; San Antonio and Omaha.