Dr. Yuzo Ninomiya is a Professor at Division of Sensory Physiology, Research and Development Center for Five-Sense Devices, Kyushu University. He is also an Adjunct Distinguished Member of Monell Chemical Senses Center, an Emeritus Professor (Distinguished Professor) at Graduate School of Dental Sciences, Kyushu University, and a Professor (Visiting) at Oral Health Science Center, Tokyo Dental College. He received his Ph.D. in Animal Physiology at Nagoya University. His research focuses on using electrophysiology and molecular biology; they are seeking to understand the coding mechanisms underlying salty, umami (savory) and sweet taste qualities. They are also studying how hormones regulate taste responses. His group has found that hormones including leptin, endocannabinoids and angiotensin II modulate peripheral sweet and/or salty taste responses. Their studies show that the modulation of peripheral sweet taste signaling by hormones likely contributes to the regulation of ingestive behavior.