Prof. Hiroyuki Shimada is a globally recognized pathologist specializing in pediatric oncology, with a particular focus on neuroblastoma and pediatric solid tumors. He has held prestigious academic and clinical positions in Japan and the United States, including roles at Yokohama City University, Kanagawa Children’s Medical Center, the University of Southern California, and currently Stanford University School of Medicine. Widely respected for his pioneering work on the International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification, he has made transformative contributions to pathology education, research, and clinical practice. Prof. Shimada’s career reflects a commitment to advancing pediatric pathology and improving outcomes for children with cancer.
Stanford University School of Medicine | United States
Author Profile
Orcid
Education
Prof. Hiroyuki Shimada began his academic journey at Shibaura Kodai High School before pursuing Pre-Medical studies at Yokohama City University School of Medicine in Japan. He went on to complete his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the same university, laying the foundation for his lifelong contributions to pathology and pediatric oncology.
Training & Work Experience
Following his medical degree, Prof. Shimada served as an Assistant Professor of Pathology at Yokohama City University School of Medicine. He later became a Pathologist and Associate Professor at the Kanagawa Children’s Medical Center. His career expanded internationally with academic and clinical appointments in the United States, including roles at The Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, Ohio State University, and the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). His expertise also led him to serve at Showa University in Tokyo in the field of Pediatric Surgery.
Academic Appointments
Prof. Shimada’s career in academic medicine has been marked by distinguished positions. He served as an Associate Professor of Clinical Pathology at the University of Southern California and Keck School of Medicine. He was later promoted to Professor of Clinical Pathology and subsequently appointed as Professor of Pathology (Clinical Scholar). He currently serves as a Professor of Pathology and Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, continuing to shape the future of pediatric pathology and oncology research.
Licensure & Certifications
Prof. Shimada holds an active medical license in Japan as well as an active license in California, USA. He is board-certified as an Autopsy Examiner in Japan and has passed the Japanese Pathology Board examination. Additionally, he successfully completed the ECFMG certification, enabling his clinical and academic practice in the United States.
Honors & Awards
Throughout his career, Prof. Shimada has received numerous prestigious awards and honors. These include the Promotion Award from Yokohama Medical Society, the Lotte Strauss Prize from the Society for Pediatric Pathology, and recognition through the Eleanor Humphreys Visiting Professorship at the University of Chicago. He has also been named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, received the Enid Gilbert-Barness Prize, the Lawrence G. Crowley Endowed Lectureship at Stanford University, the Fred W. Stewart Award from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Presidential Distinguished Colleague Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Pediatric Pathology. His contributions were further honored by the Advances in Neuroblastoma Research Association.
Teaching & Mentorship
Prof. Shimada has made significant contributions to teaching and mentoring. At CHLA, he conducted lectures and training sessions for fellows and residents, focusing on the Pathology of Neuroblastoma, Pediatric Solid Tumors, and the International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification (INPC). His lectures have been presented at national and international platforms, including the Aspen Conference, the University of Chicago, and the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. He has also mentored students and fellows, guiding their research in neuroblastoma pathology, biology, and diagnostic electron microscopy.
Professional Memberships
Prof. Shimada is an active member of several professional societies. He has long-standing memberships with the Society for Pediatric Pathology, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Society for Ultrastructural Pathology, the United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), and the New York Academy of Sciences. His active engagement in these organizations underscores his leadership in advancing the field of pediatric pathology and cancer research.
Notable Publications
Data set for reporting of peripheral neuroblastic tumours: recommendations from the international collaboration on cancer reporting (ICCR)
Authors: Jason A. Jarzembowski, Fleur Webster, Klaus Beiske, Susan L. Cohn, Ronald R. de Krijger, Meredith S. Irwin, Samuel Navarro, Hajime Okita, Hiroyuki Shimada, Jens Stahlschmidt et al.
Journal: Histopathology
Year: 2025
Restoring mitochondrial quantity and quality to reverse the Warburg effect and drive neuroblastoma differentiation
Authors: Haowen Jiang, Sarah Jane Tiche, Clifford Jiajun He, Junyan Liu, Fuyun Bian, Mohamed Jedoui, Balint Forgo, Md Tauhidul Islam, Meng Zhao, Pamela Emengo et al.
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS)
Year: 2025
Myeloid-targeting immunotherapies overcome inhibitory barriers in immune-evasive neuroblastoma
Authors: Marie Menard, Hiroyuki Yoda, Nicole Nasholm, Megumi J. Barata, Linyu Wang, Erin F. Simonds, Edbert D. Lu, Shannon Wong-Michalak, Lauren McHenry, Alvin Farrel et al.
Journal: The Journal of Experimental Medicine
Year: 2025
A Mediastinal Neuroblastoma in a 31-Year-Old Woman Presenting After a Prolonged Indolent Course: A Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Deepinder Sharma, Hiroyuki Shimada, Elizabeth Nizalik, Adam Sachs, Garth Nicolas, Taniesha James-Maxwell, Bibianna Purgina
Journal: International Journal of Surgical Pathology
Year: 2025
Peripheral neuroblastic tumors behaving badly: an update on high-risk morphologic and molecular groupings
Authors: Jason A. Jarzembowski, Samuel Navarro, Hiroyuki Shimada
Journal: Virchows Archiv: An International Journal of Pathology
Year: 2025
Restoring Mitochondrial Quantity and Quality to Reverse Warburg Effect and Drive Tumor Differentiation
Authors: Jiangbin Ye, Haowen Jiang, Sarah Tiche, Clifford He, Junyan Liu, Fuyun Bian, Mohamed Jedoui, Balint Forgo, Md Tauhidul Islam, Meng Zhao et al.
Journal: Research Square
Year: 2024
Conclusion
Prof. Hiroyuki Shimada’s career exemplifies a lifelong dedication to advancing pediatric oncology through education, research, and clinical excellence. His work on neuroblastoma pathology has transformed the global understanding and classification of pediatric tumors, setting new standards in the field. With a remarkable blend of academic leadership, research innovation, and mentorship, he has influenced generations of clinicians and scientists. His international recognition and numerous awards reflect his far-reaching impact on medicine and science. As a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, he continues to contribute to groundbreaking research, shaping the future of pediatric pathology and improving patient care globally.