International Societies for Investigative Dermatology (ISID) Founders
Masayuki Amagai, MD, PhD
ISID Secretary, 2020-2024
Dr. Masayuki Amagai is Director of the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences and Professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Keio University School of Medicine. He previously served as Dean of Keio University School of Medicine (2017–2021) and Vice President for Research at Keio University (2021–2025).
His clinical and research interests center on autoimmune and allergic skin diseases, with a particular focus on skin barrier biology and skin immunology. He has made seminal contributions to understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of pemphigus, including the role of desmoglein autoantigens and peripheral immune tolerance. His recent work has elucidated how skin barrier dysfunction contributes to the development of atopic dermatitis and other allergic disorders.
Dr. Amagai is an International Member of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine and currently serves as President of the International Societies for Investigative Dermatology (2024–2029). He has received numerous honors, including the Alfred Marchionini Award, the JSPS Prize, the Erwin von Bälz Award, and the George W. Hambrick Award. He has delivered named lectures at leading institutions including the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, Karolinska Institute, Yonsei University, and National Taiwan University.