📍Current Position

She is currently a Research Scientist II at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In this role, Dr. Hasegawa is involved in cutting-edge research focused on the mechanisms of Toll-like receptor activation and immune responses in the endometrium by vaginal anaerobes. Additionally, Dr. Hasegawa investigates the molecular impact of Lactobacillus on vaginal and cervical epithelial cells, working under the guidance of Dr. Michal Elovitz in the Department of Women’s Biomedical Research Institute.

📝Publication Achievements 

Low-fat yogurt consumption maintains biomarkers of immune function relative to non-dairy control food in women with elevated BMI: a randomized controlled crossover trial. Nutrition Research (2024) Technological approaches to improve food quality for human health. In Nutritional Health: Strategies for Disease Prevention, 4th Edition (2023) .Calorie restriction and pravastatin administration during pregnancy in obese rhesus macaques modulates maternal and infant metabolism and infant brain and behavioral development. Frontiers in Nutrition (2023) .Extracts of plant-based yogurts inhibit recombinant human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (rhACE2) activity. Journal of Food Bioactives (2023). Yogurt consumption for improving immune health. Current Opinion in Food Science (2023).

🔍Ongoing Research 

Her current research delves into the health-promoting effects of probiotic-rich foods like yogurt. One major project involves studying the immunomodulatory effects of different strains of Lactobacillus on human health, particularly in the context of metabolic diseases and inflammatory conditions.

🔬Research Interests 

Her research interests include: The role of diet in modulating immune function, Nutritional interventions for metabolic health,  Microbiome-host interactions, Mechanisms underlying the impact of maternal diet on offspring development,

🎓Academic Background 

Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology, University of California-Davis (UCD), 2020
Dissertation: Elucidation of the impact of maternal obesity on infant metabolic and cognitive development
PI: Dr. Carolyn Slupsky, B.S. in Bioscience and Chemistry, School of Agriculture at Hokkaido University, 2014
Project: Analysis of parasitic nematode secretion components that potentially transform host cell biology
PI: Dr. Derek Bartlem, Exchange Program in Microbiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015,

🏆Scholarships and Awards 

she has successfully completed several significant projects, including: Developing a mouse model to study the effects of Western diet on gut microbiota and metabolic health. Co-developing a novel method for extracting DNA, RNA, and proteins from small tissue samples, facilitating more comprehensive analyses.

🚀Success Factors 

She attributes her success to a strong foundation in scientific methodology, a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, and a passion for translating research findings into practical applications for public health.

🧪Publications & Laboratory Experience

Her  publications highlight her expertise in the intersection of diet and health, with a particular focus on the benefits of yogurt and other probiotic foods. Her laboratory experience includes extensive work with animal models and human clinical trials, providing a robust platform for her current research endeavors.