1958, M.D., Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo
1963, Ph.D., Jikei University, School of Medicine, Graduate School, Tokyo, Department of Physiology (Prof. Masakazu Abe)
1952-1954, Premedical Course, Niphon University, Tokyo
Internship
1958-1959, Medical Internship, National Sagamihara Hospital, Kanagawa
Research
Laboratory
Yoko Mullen, M.D., Ph.D. is an established investigator in islet cell isolation and preparation for transplantation into humans. She is recognized nationally and internationally for her islet cell work, has developed a patented unique and efficient two-step method for islet isolation, and has written over 200 scientific publications in the field.
As Quality Control Manager of the Southern California Islet Cell Resources Center (SC-ICRC), Dr. Mullen supervises all activities performed by the islet isolation core and is responsible for evaluating the yield, function, and viability of each islet preparation, as well as granting islet certification for human transplantation.
She has been funded by the Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation since 1985 to conduct investigations in various animal models to improve clinical islet transplantation outcome. Her research includes the development of immune tolerance without GVHD incidence to eliminate long treatment with immune suppressive drugs, the application of mesenchymal stem cells in transplantation to improve islet function, and the development of an alternate islet transplantation site to achieve long lasting islet function.
