Dr. Tanaka is a transplant hepatologist and clinician-investigator, specializing in health policy and service research in the field of liver disease and transplantation. Dr. Tanaka's primary focus lies in evaluating health policies for individuals dealing with severe liver disease, particularly those who eventually require liver transplantations. Currently, Dr. Tanaka holds the leadership position for the University of Iowa Living Donor Liver Transplant Program, where they are at the forefront of advancing patient care.

As a clinical scientist, Dr. Tanaka has undertaken significant endeavors in the realm of observational studies, causal inference and quasi-experiments, delving into extensive transplant databases across various countries, including Japan, Canada, and the United States. A hallmark of Dr. Tanaka's career is their strong commitment to team science. Dr. Tanaka has forged collaborations with experts in transplant and hepato-pancreaticobiliary surgery, interventional radiology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, biostatistics, health policy, and epidemiology. Through these partnerships, Dr. Tanaka and their colleagues have successfully established and executed multidisciplinary studies that drive innovation and result in comprehensive solutions for intricate medical challenges.

Research at Tanaka lab focuses on causal inference and healthcare policy research, with a focus on health services within the field of gastroenterology and hepatology, as well as liver transplant organ allocation policies. We are dedicated to seeking objective solutions to challenges in the medical field through data-driven approaches.

Causal inference forms the backbone of our research. Accurate identification of causal relationships is crucial in evaluating healthcare policies and analyzing their effects. We analyze actual medical data and employ statistical methods to uncover causal relationships, contributing to supporting policy decisions and providing high-quality medical care.

In the realm of gastroenterology and hepatology health services, through the analysis of clinical data, we identify effective treatment methods, thereby contributing to the optimization of patient outcomes from a public health perspective. Also, within the domain of liver transplant organ allocation policies, we aim for equitable approaches due to the limited organ supply. Our efforts blend ethical considerations with the development of robust allocation models driven by data analysis, with the overarching goal of addressing disparities and achieving both equity and utility for a broader patient cohort.

Selected publications