We are pleased to announce the winners of the Best Teacher Award 2024, announced at the New Student Welcome Party (April 7, 2025), along with photos of the trophy.
We will also announce the winners of the Best Coursework Award, which is given to recognize lectures that deliver high-quality teaching.

【Best Teacher Award 2024】

As a result of the voting, the Best Teacher Award 2024 was awarded to Prof. Shiro Tanaka of the Clinical Statistics Course and Prof. Hiroshi Nishiura of the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences. Congratulations on the award.

 

Shiro Tanaka, PhD, Program-Specific Professor of Clinical Biostatistics

【Subjects Taught】
Clinical Trial, Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials, Meta-analysis, Clinical Research Training I, Clinical Research Training II

【Outline and Purpose of the Course】(Excerpts from 2024 Syllabus)
Three lecturers who are experienced in investigator-initiated clinical trials in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and translational research areas provide lectures on the practical aspects of clinical trials based on their experience. This course also includes a workshop of developing study protocols of hypothetical clinical trials with small-sized groups.

【Emphases in Class】
　Since the development of research methodology is ever-evolving, it is necessary to develop our own teaching materials in order to provide lectures of international standards.
The textbook we use for Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials, “Sample Size Tables for Clinical Studies” is a Japanese translation of a well-established overseas textbook. It has extensive software and number tables for calculating sample size.
For Meta-analysis, we use NMA, an R package developed by our group (Noma, Maruo, and me), who are in charge of the lecture and practical training. This is a comprehensive software that implements the latest statistical methods such as network meta-analysis using the Noma-Hamura estimation method and the Higgins test.

【Messages to the Students】
Coffee and Research are the best when they are hot.
 

Hiroshi Nishiura, PhD, Professor of Department of Health and Environmental Sciences.

【Subjects Taught】
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Hygiene, Introduction to Infectious Disease Modelling

【Outline and Purpose of the Course】(Excerpts from 2024 Syllabus)
This module clearly explains fundamental concepts of infectious disease epidemiology and sets out the analytical methods employed in public health practice. The contents of the lecture series covers the concept/definition of various epidemiological measurements, assessment of the spread and control of infectious diseases using a variety of statistical methods, statistical estimation of key epidemiological indices, and introduces mathematical modeling of infectious diseases. This vast and important area of epidemiology is described in line with recent and ongoing health concerns such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, dengue, SARS and influenza.

【Emphases in Class】
I always stress two important points of KUSPH in the context of schools of public health in the world. First, we have yet to pass over the global high standard of learning/studying opportunities, and I specifically point where we are different during classes (even specifically in syllabus). Second, the most attractive part of graduate taught courses is not only problem solving but also creating innovative ideas and testing/investigating scientific questions. What can be attained by yourself? What’s your next action? You need to be the one who can clarify answers to those points.

【Messages to the Students】
You’re the lead expert of the next generation. I’m dreaming the day to say “Otsukare Sama” to you as an expert some 10 to 20 years later. Enjoy your studies!