Keio University School of Medicine Professor and Chair Ho Namkoong
Thank you very much for visiting the website of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, and the Clinical Infectious Diseases Center at Keio University Hospital. My name is Ho Namkoong, and I assumed the position of Professor of the Department of Infectious Diseases in April 2025.
Founded in 1917, the Keio University School of Medicine welcomed Dr. Shibasaburo Kitasato, a world-renowned bacteriologist, as its first dean, and boasts a distinguished history in which prominent infectious disease researchers such as Dr. Sahachiro Hata and Dr. Kiyoshi Shiga played active roles. The predecessor of the Department of Infectious Diseases, the Department of Parasitology, was established in 1920 by Dr. Mikinosuke Miyajima as the oldest parasitology division in Japan. Since then, the department has built a proud legacy and achievements in the fields of infectious diseases, parasitology, and tropical medicine. While inheriting this distinguished tradition, we are committed to promoting innovative clinical practice, education, and research in infectious diseases that align with the changing times.
Infectious diseases represent a cross-cutting field that intersects with all areas of clinical medicine, and at the same time, constitute a crucial domain that underpins patient safety and the quality of hospital functions. With the support of our many highly skilled staff members, our department provides high-quality clinical care for a wide range of infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections (NTM), as well as antimicrobial-resistant organisms and emerging/re-emerging infectious diseases. In particular, through strong collaboration with the Infection Control Department and the Clinical Infectious Diseases Center, we are advancing key hospital initiatives — such as healthcare-associated infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship — in a progressive and innovative manner. As a core site for the training of infectious disease specialists, we will continue to enhance inpatient care and consultation services. If you are interested in clinical training at our institution, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Throughout my career, I have advanced translational research in respiratory infections—particularly nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease and COVID-19—working collaboratively with many clinicians and researchers. My work has centered on host genomic analyses, vaccine response profiling, and the functional characterization of disease-susceptibility genes.
Within our department, we employ genomic and immunological analyses, mouse models, and imaging technologies to elucidate disease pathogenesis and identify potential therapeutic targets. Our mission is to translate insights gained from clinical practice into fundamental research, and to return those discoveries back to the clinical arena—a principle that defines our research philosophy. Together with our dedicated team of researchers, we have established an environment capable of realizing this ideal.
The Department of Infectious Diseases is uniquely structured to integrate basic and clinical research, offering an environment conducive to studies utilizing clinical specimens. Indeed, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we established a comprehensive and unparalleled research framework—the COVID-19 Task Force—to investigate COVID-19 and vaccine immunity, leading world-class translational efforts. Looking ahead to the next pandemic, we are committed to further strengthening our research capabilities and advancing translational research as a unified department.
Our department is actively engaged not only in basic and clinical research, but also in a wide range of clinical studies, including specified clinical research, industry-sponsored clinical trials, and investigator-initiated trials.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led us to a sobering reflection: the clinical community was not fully prepared to advance “clinical development” during a public health crisis. This experience underscored for us the importance of establishing a robust clinical research infrastructure for infectious diseases during normal times—not only during emergencies.
We are committed to cultivating professionals capable of leading clinical development in the field of infectious diseases. As a hub for clinical trials and clinical research that contribute to drug and vaccine development, our department aims to play a central role in Japan, Asia, and the global community.
Since my time as a medical student, I have had a strong interest in global health, which ultimately led to my pursuit of infectious diseases. During my fifth year of medical school, I took a leave of absence to work in southern India. What I witnessed and felt there was not a healthcare setting defined by poverty or pity, but rather one filled with capable and passionate individuals. That experience shaped my belief that international collaborative research and technology transfer are integral components of global health.
From this perspective, we are now initiating international collaborative research with medical and research institutions across various countries and regions. As the importance of global infectious diseases continues to grow, it is essential to address these challenges from a global standpoint. We firmly believe that without engagement in international infectious disease efforts, we will not be able to adequately address domestic issues in the future. With this conviction, we are actively pursuing global initiatives.
To provide young physicians and students with this international outlook, we support overseas training and participation in international conferences, fostering specialists in infectious diseases who possess a global perspective.
Looking ahead, we aim to establish Keio-affiliated overseas research bases and to rebuild our international and domestic networks, thereby disseminating infectious disease research originating in Japan to the world.
Building upon our long-standing history in infectious diseases, parasitology, and tropical medicine, we endeavor to create a globally engaged department that integrates basic and clinical sciences and remains open to society.
By maximizing the collective strength of multidisciplinary collaboration, we will promote infectious disease education, clinical care, and research with a vision toward Asia and the world.I sincerely appreciate your continued guidance and support.
