Research labs at Japan's QS Top 10 universities including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Professor Pengyong Miao's research lab specializes in structural health monitoring, bridge performance assessment, and data-driven modeling for civil infrastructure. The lab focuses on developing advanced machine learning and deep learning techniques—such as LSTM, GRU, and interpretable models—to predict and analyze bridge deterioration by integrating time-series inspection data, image-based defect detection, and multi-factor sensitivity analysis. The research emphasizes practical applications in condition assessment, maintenance optimization, and long-term structural resilience through innovative data fusion and key data selection methods.
Professor Toshihiro Okubo's research lab specializes in applied microeconomics with a focus on international trade, environmental economics, and labor economics. The lab investigates key issues such as the determinants of intra-industry trade, the impact of natural disasters on firm performance, and the economic effects of telework and vaccination behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. A central theme is understanding how economic institutions, firm-level decisions, and policy interventions—particularly in the context of globalization and environmental regulation—affect productivity, survival, and welfare. The lab employs rigorous empirical methods using firm-level, survey, and trade data to analyze real-world economic phenomena in Japan and beyond.
Professor Shigeto Kawahara's research lab specializes in theoretical and experimental phonology, with a focus on the phonetics–phonology interface, sound symbolism, and the perceptual and cognitive foundations of phonological patterns. The lab investigates how phonological phenomena—such as geminate devoicing in Japanese loanwords, rendaku processes, and sound-symbolic associations in onomatoepoetic expressions—are shaped by perceptual similarity, cognitive processing, and lexical irregularity. Using interdisciplinary methods that integrate corpus analysis, psycholinguistic experiments, and computational modeling, the lab explores the interplay between phonological structure, sound-meaning mappings, and human perception.
Professor Hiroshi Inui's research lab specializes in biochemical and photochemical mechanisms in biological systems, with a focus on unique metabolic pathways in protists like *Euglena gracilis* and plant-microbe interactions. The lab investigates anaerobic metabolism, including ATP-generating wax ester synthesis and malonyl-CoA-independent fatty acid biosynthesis in mitochondria, revealing novel enzymatic reversals of β-oxidation. Additionally, the lab explores signal transduction in mammalian cells, particularly platelet-derived growth factor receptor signaling in vascular smooth muscle, and conducts detailed studies on the photochemistry of azirines and azides, identifying reactive intermediates and unconventional reaction mechanisms. These interdisciplinary studies span biochemistry, enzymology, and physical organic chemistry, emphasizing molecular mechanisms in energy metabolism and photoinduced transformations.
Professor Yosuke Hasegawa's research lab specializes in computational fluid dynamics and control theory applied to turbulent flows, with a focus on drag reduction and heat transfer enhancement in wall-bounded flows. The lab develops advanced control strategies—such as optimal and suboptimal control, reinforcement learning, and traveling wave actuation—using wall blowing and suction to manipulate turbulent momentum and thermal transport independently. Their work bridges fundamental fluid dynamics with practical applications in energy efficiency and biomedical flows, including vascular network modeling and microfluidic actuation. The lab combines direct numerical simulations, theoretical analysis, and experimental validation to explore the interplay between flow structures and control inputs.
Professor Fan Zhao's research lab specializes in advancing environmental monitoring and precision agriculture through the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), deep learning, and super-resolution reconstruction (SRR) techniques. The lab focuses on developing cost-effective, high-efficiency solutions for detecting underwater debris, monitoring aquatic ecosystems, and enabling large-scale, accurate plant monitoring in challenging environments such as turbid waters and low-light greenhouses. Key research directions include optimizing YOLO-based object detection models, designing novel SRR architectures like MambaIR, and applying these technologies to real-world ecological and agricultural challenges.
Professor Hissei Imai's research lab focuses on mental health and behavioral interventions in medical and community settings, with a strong emphasis on psychological resilience, health promotion, and support systems for healthcare workers and patients. The lab investigates factors influencing mental well-being during public health crises—such as pandemics—and explores how self-efficacy, trust, and perceived protection can improve health behaviors and reduce depression. Key research directions include psychological therapy effectiveness, mental health support for frontline workers, and identifying modifiable factors that enhance patient engagement and social functioning in clinical populations.
Professor Kenji Sugase's research lab specializes in the structural and dynamic characterization of biomolecular systems using advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The lab focuses on understanding protein folding, misfolding, and interactions—particularly in the context of disease-related processes such as amyloid fibril formation, epigenetic DNA modifications, and immune recognition via peptide-HLA complexes. By developing and applying innovative NMR techniques like relaxation dispersion, rheo-NMR, and hydrogen exchange, the lab investigates transient conformational states and molecular interactions at atomic resolution in physiologically relevant conditions. Their work bridges fundamental biophysics with biomedical relevance, especially in neurodegeneration, epigenetics, and adaptive immunity.
Professor Dean Thumkeo's research lab focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cytoskeletal dynamics, particularly the roles of Rho GTPase effectors such as ROCK and mDia in development, tissue homeostasis, and disease. The lab investigates how actin cytoskeleton regulation governs critical biological processes including neural tube development, placental function, keratinocyte differentiation, and immune cell regulation in the tumor microenvironment. Using a combination of genetic mouse models, advanced imaging techniques, and single-cell genomics, the lab explores the spatiotemporal control of cytoskeletal architecture and its impact on cell polarity, migration, and signaling. Their work bridges fundamental cell biology with translational implications in developmental disorders, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.
Professor Takayuki Shiroyama's research lab specializes in clinical oncology and translational medicine, with a focus on optimizing immunotherapy and targeted therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The lab investigates prognostic biomarkers such as sarcopenia, systemic inflammation (e.g., ALI), and baseline clinical characteristics to predict treatment response and survival outcomes. It also explores management strategies for serious adverse events, including pneumonitis from EGFR-TKIs and complications like cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in critically ill patients with COVID-19 receiving corticosteroid therapy. The lab emphasizes personalized medicine through integrated clinical and laboratory assessments in lung cancer and critical care settings.
Professor Tatsuo Fukagawa's research lab focuses on the epigenetic regulation of centromere specification and kinetochore assembly in vertebrate cells. Using advanced genetic engineering in the chicken DT40 cell system, the lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying CENP-A chromatin formation, centromeric histone modifications such as H4K20me1, and the functional roles of kinetochore proteins like CENP-C. The lab also explores neocentromere formation and artificial chromosome systems to dissect the epigenetic basis of centromere identity and function.
Professor Yukio Kawahara's research lab specializes in molecular and systems biology, focusing on the regulation and functional implications of RNA editing—particularly adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing—in neurodegenerative diseases and gene regulation. The lab investigates how RNA editing modulates microRNA function and ionotropic glutamate receptor (GluR) activity, with key emphasis on the role of ADAR enzymes and TDP-43 in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Their work integrates molecular biology, quantitative RT-PCR, and mouse models to dissect the physiological and pathological consequences of RNA editing in the central nervous system, especially in diseases like ALS and frontotemporal lobar degeneration.
Professor Md. Golzar Hossain's research lab focuses on viral pathogenesis, host-virus interactions, and the molecular mechanisms underlying emerging and re-emerging viral infections, particularly SARS-CoV-2, dengue virus, and hepatitis B/C viruses. The lab investigates viral evolution, including key genetic features such as the furin cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and explores host immune responses, coinfection complexities, and viral immune evasion strategies. A major emphasis is placed on understanding the clinical and immunological implications of viral mutations, co-infections, and antiviral resistance, with translational goals in diagnostics, vaccine development, and host-directed antiviral therapies.
Professor Yao Ding's research lab specializes in the development and characterization of advanced cementitious materials with a focus on engineered cementitious composites (ECC), geopolymer composites, and multifunctional biomaterials. The lab investigates the mechanical performance, fracture behavior, and durability of fiber-reinforced cement-based materials, with particular emphasis on achieving high tensile strain capacity, energy absorption, and sustainability. Innovative applications in structural engineering and biomedical implants—such as self-healing and infection-resistant materials—are also central to the lab’s mission. The research integrates advanced testing techniques like acoustic emission monitoring and nanomaterial design to advance material performance and real-world applicability.
Professor Takashi Odagaki's research lab specializes in statistical physics and condensed matter theory, with a focus on nonequilibrium dynamics, glass transitions, and electron transport in disordered systems. The lab investigates stochastic processes such as random walks and trapping models to understand anomalous diffusion and conductivity in complex materials, including quasicrystals, doped semiconductors, and soft glass-formers. Recent work extends to modeling epidemiological dynamics using non-Markovian stochastic approaches, demonstrating the broad applicability of their theoretical frameworks to real-world systems like the COVID-19 pandemic. The lab combines analytical, numerical, and mesoscopic modeling techniques to explore critical phenomena and non-equilibrium behavior across length and time scales.
Professor Satoshi Hirano's research lab specializes in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, with a focus on advanced surgical strategies for challenging biliary and pancreatic malignancies. The lab investigates innovative resection techniques, such as DP-CAR and aggressive hepatobiliary resection, to improve local control and survival outcomes in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A key research direction involves understanding the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer, particularly the role of chemotherapy-induced immune modulation and inflammatory responses. The lab also explores preoperative interventions, such as endoscopic versus percutaneous biliary drainage, to optimize surgical outcomes.
Professor Chunyu Zhu's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of advanced functional materials, particularly biomass-derived carbon and metal oxide nanostructures, for sustainable energy storage and conversion applications. The lab focuses on developing green, scalable synthetic methods to create hierarchical porous carbons, nanostructured anodes and cathodes for lithium-ion and other rechargeable batteries, as well as thermally conductive and shape-stabilized phase change materials for thermal management. A key research direction involves using natural templates and sustainable precursors—such as starch, calcium carbonate, and magnesium compounds—to engineer materials with controlled porosity, morphology, and enhanced electrochemical performance. The lab also investigates dendrite suppression in zinc-based batteries through tailored hydrogel electrolytes, advancing the safety and efficiency of next-generation aqueous batteries.
Professor Akio Inoue's research lab specializes in theoretical and observational astrophysics, focusing on the early universe, galaxy formation, and intergalactic medium properties during cosmic reionization. The lab develops advanced spectral models for high-redshift galaxies, particularly emphasizing nebular emission lines and metallicity-dependent diagnostics to identify extremely metal-poor or metal-free galaxies. It also investigates the physical mechanisms of radiation attenuation by intergalactic hydrogen and the role of dust and elemental abundances in early galaxies, using data from cutting-edge telescopes such as ALMA. Additionally, the lab contributes to molecular biology through studies on estrogen-responsive gene networks in breast cancer, integrating genomics and systems biology approaches.
Professor Shingo Ohira's research lab specializes in advanced radiation therapy techniques, with a focus on stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for intracranial and extracranial targets. The lab investigates image-guided radiotherapy, immobilization devices, and multileaf collimator (MLC) design to enhance treatment precision, dose conformity, and normal tissue sparing. Key research directions include optimizing HyperArc and HA-VMAT delivery, minimizing setup errors, and validating Monte Carlo-based dose calculation models for accurate treatment planning.
Professor Hiroyuki Watanabe's research lab specializes in the development of advanced functional materials and molecular probes for biomedical applications, with a focus on nanomaterials for catalysis and neurodegenerative disease diagnostics. The lab pioneers innovative approaches in nanoscale characterization, including tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and dual-probe scanning tunneling microscopy, to study molecular and electronic properties at the single-molecule level. A central theme is the design of fluorescent probes—particularly BODIPY- and benzothiazole-based derivatives—for high-affinity, selective imaging of protein aggregates such as β-amyloid and α-synuclein in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease models. The lab also explores nitrogen-doped carbon materials for sustainable catalysis, bridging materials science with environmental and health applications.
