Dr. Masako Shomura is a distinguished professor and researcher specializing in oncology nursing, supportive and palliative care, and liver cancer. With a career spanning over three decades, she has dedicated her professional life to advancing cancer patient care, particularly focusing on those suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma. Her work in palliative care has contributed significantly to academic research and clinical practices in nursing. Education Dr. Shomura’s academic journey began at Chiba University, where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1993. Driven by a passion for deepening her expertise, she returned to Chiba University to pursue a Master’s degree in Nursing, which she completed in 2002. She later earned her Ph.D. in Nursing from Tokyo Medical and Dental University in 2007. Her doctoral dissertation, titled “Construction of Illness Experience Model for Patients with Intractable Primary Hepatocellular Cancer and Research on Oncology Palliative Care Nursing,” explored innovative approaches to support cancer patients through palliative care. Professional Experience Dr. Shomura began her clinical career as a staff nurse in the Gastrointestinal (GI) unit at Tokai University Hospital, where she worked from 1993 to 1996. Her early exposure to patient care in the GI unit cultivated her interest in supporting patients with complex cancer diagnoses. In 1996, she transitioned into academia as an Assistant Professor at Tokai University School of Heal