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Akira Sekikawa, MD MPH PhD
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Affiliation(s):
University of Pittsburgh
ORCID URL:
Areas of Interest:
cardiovascular; dementia; epidemiology; nutrition; arterial stiffness; subclinical atherosclerosis; soy isoflavones; fish oil;
Biography & Research:
Dr. Akira Sekikawa, MD, MPH, PhD, PhD, is a Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health, with over 40 years of experience in clinical and epidemiological research. His pioneering work has significantly contributed to understanding cardiovascular disease disparities, particularly between Japan and the United States. Dr. Sekikawa’s research has shown that despite higher exposure to traditional risk factors, Japanese populations have much lower rates of coronary heart disease, a phenomenon primarily attributed to their diet, including high intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids and soy isoflavones. His work emphasizes the critical role of environmental and dietary factors in cardiovascular health.
Dr. Sekikawa has led multiple NIH-funded studies, including the landmark ERA JUMP study (R01 HL068200), which compared subclinical atherosclerosis across diverse ethnic groups, including White, African, Japanese Americans, and Japanese in Japan. This study revealed that despite a less favorable risk factor profile, Japanese individuals in Japan had significantly lower levels of subclinical atherosclerosis compared to Americans, highlighting the protective effects of the Japanese diet, particularly its high intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids and soy isoflavones. Japanese Americans, on the other hand, exhibited higher levels of subclinical atherosclerosis than White Americans, emphasizing the impact of environmental factors, such as diet, over genetics. These findings have been pivotal in understanding the influence of diet on heart health and the potential of dietary interventions to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Dr. Sekikawa currently leads the NIH-funded ACE trial (R01 AG074971), a multi-center randomized controlled trial examining the effects of equol, a gut-derived metabolite of soy isoflavones, on arterial stiffness, white matter lesions, and cognitive decline in older adults. Additionally, Dr. Sekikawa directs a study on metabolomics and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (R01 HL169332), which seeks to uncover the complex interactions between diet, metabolomics, and cardiovascular health, potentially guiding new preventive and therapeutic interventions.
Beyond his research, Dr. Sekikawa is committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists. As Director of the NHLBI-funded T32 Cardiovascular Epidemiology Training Program (T32 HL083825), he has trained numerous students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have made significant contributions to the field of public health. His mentorship emphasizes both rigorous scientific training and the application of research findings to real-world health challenges.