Makoto Kawai, MD

Makoto Kawai brings a wealth of experience and passion to the field of sleep medicine. Originally from Japan, where he completed medical school, Makoto moved to the United States in his late 20s to pursue extensive training in neurology, neurophysiology, and sleep medicine. Today, he serves as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Sleep Medicine at Stanford University, where he blends his roles as a physician, educator, and researcher.

Makoto’s work focuses on understanding the profound impact of sleep on neurological conditions across all age groups. He leads and collaborates on a variety of innovative projects, including studies on autism spectrum disorder, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, and Alzheimer’s disease. An expert in sleep data analysis, Makoto actively partners with researchers across disciplines to advance knowledge in this dynamic field.

In addition to his research, Makoto is deeply committed to clinical care and education. He runs a specialized Sleep and Memory Clinic at Stanford Health Care, where he treats patients with complex sleep disorders and mentors the next generation of sleep medicine fellows.

For Makoto, sleep medicine is more than a specialty—it’s a unique lens to evaluate and care for the whole person, day and night. He remains dedicated to advancing the field through compassionate care, teaching, and groundbreaking research.