Yoshiki Sasai

Biologist

Birthday March 5, 1962

Birth Sign Pisces

Birthplace Japan

DEATH DATE Aug 5, 2014 (52)

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About

Known for his work in the biology sub-field of stem cell research, this prominent Japanese scientist was the first to successfully grow an embryonic optic cup from human stem cells. He taught at Kyoto University and directed a department of the RIKEN research institute.

Before Fame

After graduating from Kyoto University's School of Medicine, he accepted a research fellowship at the University of California- Los Angeles' medical school.

Trivia

He was the recipient of the 2010 Osaka Prize and the 2012 Inoue Prize.

Family Life

He was born and raised in Hyogo, Japan. Tragically, he committed suicide at the age of fifty-two in his research laboratory at the RIKEN institute.

Associated With

He and Nobel Prize winner Osamu Shimomura were both prominent Japanese scientists.