Born in Ehime, Japan in 1959, Hiroko Tsukamura was educated and received Ph.D. in Nagoya University. Dr. Tsukamura has been working in the fields of animal reproduction and neuroendocrinology from molecular to behavioral levels, particularly focused on physiological basis with more than 150 published papers. Dr. Tsukamura has been intensively studying the brain mechanism regulating pulse and surge modes of GnRH/gonadotropin secretion in mammals. After the discovery of kisspeptin as a key regulator for GnRH/gonadotropin secretion, Dr. Tsukamura and her colleagues leads the kisspeptin studies, including the mechanism mediating estrogen positive and negative feedback and sexual differentiation of the GnRH surge system, and epigenetic regulation of kisspeptin expression. Dr. Tsukamura, a professor at the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, has also held a position as director at the Office for Gender Equality and advisor to the President (gender equality) since 2006 at Nagoya University. Dr. Tsukamura received Shimamura Award from the Society of Reproduction and Development (1995) and Yoshimura Award from the Japan Society for Pituitary Research (2002).