Tetsuro is interested in understanding viral pathogenesis at a molecular level. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo on studies involving the diagnosis of Reston Ebola virus. His postdoctoral training, using Rift Valley fever virus as a model system, is under the supervision of Drs. Makino and C.J. Peters. During his last three years, he has successfully developed a RVFV reverse genetics system. Using this system, he has generated a mutant RVFV lacking NSs protein expression. He is using this mutant virus to uncover a novel function of NSs protein, which is known to be the major viral virulence factor. His long-term goal is to become an independent research scientist. Research Project: A novel function of Rift Valley fever virus NSs protein.