Nishimura received his clinical training from Tokyo Dental College (DDS, 1981) and Harvard School of Dental Medicine (DMD, 1993). He also earned a Doctor of Medical Sciences (DMSc) degree and a Prosthodontics Specialty Certificate from Harvard in 1986. Following postdoctoral research in cellular and molecular biology at Harvard Medical School, Nishimura began his academic career as an Assistant and later Associate Professor at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. During this time, he served as Director of the Harvard-MIT Biomaterials Graduate Program (1993-95) and Director of the Predoctoral Research Program (1995-97). 

 

Nishimura joined UCLA in 1997, where he established the Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology as its Founding Director. The Center was supported by NIH/NCRR as well as philanthropic contributions from the Weintraub Family and film and entertainment industry. He is Professor Emeritus of Dentistry and Bioengineering at UCLA. He is also affiliated with the Jonson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the California NanoSystems Institute through his research on oral cancer, inflammation, and tissue regeneration.

 

Nishimura has served as a reviewing consultant for NIH, NSF, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UK) and other funding agencies. His honors include the Distinguished Faculty Award (Harvard, 1993), Distinguished Service Award (American Association for Dental Research, 1999), Appreciation of Services (US Department of Health & Human Services, 2000 & 2005), Distinguished Scientist Award (International Association for Dental Research, 2004), Distinguished Alumni Award (Harvard, 2018) and the Goldhaber Award (Harvard, 2021). He is an elected Fellow of the Academy of Prosthodontics and the American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS).  

 

Nishimura has authored more than 140 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals including Nat Communications, eLIFE, Biomaterials, Journal of Biological Chemistry and PNAS. He has also published 20 book chapters and over 230 conference abstracts. In 2021 and 2023, he was recognized among the Top 2% Scientists Worldwide in the Stanford University Scientist Ranking.

 

Consulting and Expert Witness:

Since 2002, Nishimura has served as a biomedical consultant in the development of medical and dental devices, including dental implants and bone graft materials, as well as therapeutic technologies for various startup companies and large corporations. He has also served as an expert witness, providing expert opinions and analysis in clinical dentistry, malpractice, and pathological processes to support case evaluation and resolution.