Dr. Naoto T. Ueno

Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, MD, PhD, is an internationally recognized medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer, with particular expertise in inflammatory breast cancer. He currently serves as President of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research and Director of the Cancer Institute Hospital in Tokyo. Prior to this, he held multiple leadership roles at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, including Director of the Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program. Dr. Ueno earned his medical degree from Wakayama Medical University in Japan, completed residency training in internal medicine, and pursued fellowship training in medical oncology at MD Anderson.

A leader in translational breast oncology, Dr. Ueno’s work has advanced the understanding of aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, including molecular mechanisms that drive treatment resistance. He has designed and led clinical trials testing targeted therapies and immune-based approaches for inflammatory and triple-negative breast cancers. His publications have shaped international standards of care, and he has played a central role in building cross-institutional collaborations to expand treatment opportunities for patients with rare and challenging breast cancers.

In addition to his clinical and scientific leadership, Dr. Ueno is a committed educator and mentor. He has trained medical students, residents, and fellows in both Japan and the United States, fostering careers of physician–scientists in oncology. He is active in professional organizations, where he has helped define global strategies for breast cancer research. Through his dedication to translational science, mentorship, and international collaboration, Dr. Naoto Ueno continues to influence the future of breast oncology worldwide.