Dr. Sano is an Emeritus Professor of Kochi University. His academic interests have been focused on the cutaneous immunology, keratinocyte biology, collagen diseases, skin cancer and others. He has a longstanding clinical interest in psoriasis, to which he contributed in both research and clinical application, with the novel finding of activation of Stat3 in the epidermis being essential for psoriasis development (Nat Med, 2005). He has been involved in the development of guidelines of Japanese Dermatological Association for the biologic treatment of psoriasis, and diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo. He was the former president of the Japanese Society for Cutaneous Immunology and Allergy (2019-2022). He is the Editor-in-chief of the Journal of Dermatological Science (2023-).