东京大学、京都大学、大阪大学等日本QS前10名大学的研究室信息。
Professor Kenny Vilella's research lab specializes in planetary and geophysical dynamics, focusing on thermal convection in planetary interiors. The lab investigates heat transfer mechanisms in silicate mantles, icy satellites, and planetary bodies like Pluto, using high-resolution numerical simulations to explore the effects of internal heating, rheology, and phase transitions. Key research directions include cryovolcanism on icy moons, mantle convection under varying heating conditions, and the influence of chemical heterogeneities such as the iron spin transition on deep Earth dynamics. The lab combines theoretical modeling with planetary observations to understand the interplay between thermal evolution, material properties, and surface expressions of internal processes.
Professor Motoko Taguchi's research lab specializes in the physiological and metabolic aspects of athletic performance, with a strong focus on energy balance, body composition, and metabolic health in athletes. The lab investigates energy availability, resting energy expenditure, and their impacts on bone metabolism, hormonal status, and metabolic suppression in both male and female athletes across diverse sports. Using advanced techniques such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), indirect calorimetry, and biochemical analysis, the lab examines how training load, body composition, and nutritional intake influence physiological function. A key research direction is understanding the risks of relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) and its implications for long-term health in competitive athletes.
Professor Hirofumi Kawakubo's research lab specializes in surgical oncology with a focus on esophageal cancer, particularly the molecular mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis and the surgical management of early-stage disease. The lab investigates field cancerization in the esophagus through immunohistochemical and genetic analyses of biomarkers such as p53, cyclin D1, and pRB, aiming to understand the precancerous changes in esophageal epithelium. It also explores surgical innovations, including extended thoracic lymphadenectomy and minimally invasive esophagectomy, to improve lymph node retrieval and patient survival. The lab integrates molecular pathology with clinical surgery to enhance early diagnosis and curative treatment strategies for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Professor Tomoyuki Ohe's research lab specializes in drug metabolism and toxicology, with a focus on the metabolic activation of drugs and environmental chemicals by cytochrome P450 enzymes. The lab investigates novel metabolic pathways, such as the formation of quinols from para-alkylphenols and estrogens, and elucidates the mechanisms of reactive metabolite formation using isotopic labeling and trapping techniques. A key emphasis is on developing reliable methods to assess the bioactivation potential of new drug candidates, particularly through radiolabeled trapping reagents like [(35)S]cysteine and [(14)C]cyanide for early detection of reactive intermediates. The lab also explores structure–activity relationships of hepatotoxic drugs, such as diclofenac, to understand the roles of specific metabolites like quinone imines and acyl glucuronides in drug-induced liver injury.
Professor Motoaki Hayama's research lab specializes in the mechanics and metallurgy of surface integrity, with a primary focus on residual stress evolution and phase transformation behavior in steels under cyclic loading. The lab investigates the relaxation of compressive residual stresses induced by surface treatments such as fine particle peening, particularly during the initial fatigue cycles, using in situ X-ray diffraction techniques. A key research direction involves understanding the interplay between retained austenite transformation and residual stress changes in carburized steels, especially under varying stress ratios and loading modes. The lab also examines how material properties such as yield strength and surface condition influence fatigue performance and residual stress stability.
Professor Shunsuke Kimura's research lab focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy, intercellular communication via tunneling nanotubes, and the differentiation and function of microfold (M) cells in mucosal immunity. The lab employs advanced live-cell imaging and molecular techniques to dissect organelle dynamics, membrane trafficking, and signaling pathways in immune and epithelial cells. Key research directions include the regulation of autophagosome maturation, the role of M-Sec in nanotube formation, and the molecular control of M cell development through RANKL-RelB and OPG-RANKL signaling. The lab also investigates how these processes contribute to host defense and immune homeostasis in the gut and respiratory tract.
Professor Katsuyuki Hoshina's research lab specializes in vascular surgery and endovascular interventions, with a primary focus on endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), particularly in complex and challenging anatomical cases. The lab investigates device-specific outcomes, procedural planning, and risk stratification to improve perioperative and long-term results. It also explores surgical management of peripheral vascular diseases, including popliteal artery entrapment syndrome and critical limb ischemia, with an emphasis on limb salvage and patient survival. The research integrates clinical outcomes with hemodynamic and anatomical factors to guide personalized treatment strategies.
Professor Hiroyuki Usui's research lab specializes in urban spatial analysis and computational urbanism, focusing on the geometric and regulatory dimensions of urban form. The lab investigates the statistical distributions of urban elements such as building lot dimensions, building heights, and vacant lot patterns, often integrating spatial statistics, zoning regulations, and computational geometry. Key research directions include modeling neighborhood relationships using Voronoi-based diagrams, analyzing the impact of zoning policies on urban morphology, and examining the spatial patterns of urban vacancy and perforation. The lab combines theoretical modeling with empirical data to address urban planning challenges in complex, irregular urban environments.
Professor Hirotaka Hasegawa's research lab specializes in stereotactic radiosurgery and minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques, with a focus on treating complex intracranial tumors and vascular malformations. The lab investigates the efficacy and safety of Gamma Knife radiosurgery for conditions such as vestibular schwannomas, arteriovenous malformations, and skull base tumors, particularly in challenging cases like neurofibromatosis type 2-associated lesions. A key research direction involves optimizing treatment planning through advanced imaging modalities, including rotational angiography and endoscopic transnasal surgery, to improve tumor control and functional outcomes. The lab also explores neoadjuvant immunotherapy in resectable gastric cancer, reflecting a broader interest in multimodal treatment strategies for malignant diseases.
Professor Katsutoshi Oda's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying human cancers, with a central emphasis on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The lab investigates genetic alterations—particularly in *PIK3CA*, *PTEN*, and *ARID1A*—in various gynecological malignancies, including endometrial, ovarian clear cell, and high-grade serous carcinomas. They also explore targeted therapeutic strategies, such as dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors like DS-7423, evaluating their efficacy in preclinical models of ovarian cancer. The lab integrates genomics, functional screening, and translational drug testing to identify vulnerabilities in cancer cells with dysregulated PI3K signaling.
Professor Kiyo Kurisu's research lab focuses on sustainable consumption and environmental behavior, with a strong emphasis on life cycle thinking, waste management, and environmentally sustainable diets. The lab investigates how individual behaviors, awareness, and education—particularly through innovative tools like board games—can drive environmental responsibility in urban and daily contexts. Research directions include reducing carbon emissions through lifestyle choices, improving waste collection systems in developing cities, and promoting sustainable food and consumption practices through psychological and educational interventions.
Professor Kohei Takahashi's research lab specializes in the development of transition metal-catalyzed reactions for sustainable synthesis, with a strong focus on hydroformylation, hydrogenation, and CO₂ fixation. The lab pioneers innovative dual catalyst systems—particularly involving Rh/Ru and Ni complexes—enabling selective, one-pot transformations such as tandem hydroformylation/hydrogenation to produce linear alcohols and acrylate derivatives with high turnover numbers. Mechanistic studies using advanced spectroscopic techniques and DFT calculations underpin their design of highly active and selective catalysts under mild conditions, including CO/H₂ atmospheres and in polar solvents. The lab also explores novel catalytic pathways, such as transfer hydrogenolysis for polymer degradation, enabling direct recovery of valuable monomers like bisphenol A.
Professor Kazuyuki Yagasaki's research lab specializes in nonlinear dynamics and applied dynamical systems, with a focus on chaotic behavior, bifurcations, and homoclinic/heteroclinic orbits in mechanical and physical systems. The lab develops advanced analytical and numerical techniques—such as the Melnikov method, averaging methods, and homoclinic bifurcation detection—for understanding complex oscillatory phenomena in systems ranging from atomic force microscopy to nonlinear beams and controlled pendulums. A key emphasis is on applying these tools to real-world problems in nanomechanics, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and nonlinear control. The lab also contributes to computational software development, notably for bifurcation analysis in periodic and discrete systems.
Professor Aiichiro Nagaki's research lab specializes in flow chemistry and microreactor technology, focusing on the development of highly selective and efficient transformations in organic synthesis. The lab pioneers the use of microflow systems to control reactive intermediates—such as N-acyliminium ions, aryllithium species, and carbocations—enabling precise reaction timing, temperature control, and enhanced selectivity. Key research directions include cationic polymerization, cross-coupling reactions (e.g., Murahashi coupling), and flash chemistry for benzyne-based three-component couplings. The integration of rapid mixing, short residence times, and tailored reaction environments allows for the selective formation of complex organic molecules with minimal side products.
Professor Daisuke Nakajima's research lab specializes in innovative lung preservation and recovery strategies, focusing on extending the pool of usable donor lungs through advanced perfusion technologies. The lab investigates ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) with antibiotic therapy to salvage infected donor lungs, as well as the use of short-term hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) to restore energy metabolism and reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury in both donation after circulatory death (DCD) and living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT) settings. Their work aims to improve transplant outcomes by enhancing lung viability and function prior to transplantation.
Professor Ryota Ishii's research lab specializes in the fundamental optical and electronic properties of wide-bandgap III-nitride semiconductors, with a focus on aluminum nitride (AlN) and AlGaN-based materials. The lab investigates excitonic effects, including exciton binding energies, fine structure, and deformation potentials under stress, using advanced spectroscopic techniques such as reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Key research directions include understanding electron–hole exchange interactions, exciton–phonon coupling, and the temperature- and stress-dependent behavior of deep-ultraviolet optoelectronic devices.
Professor Y. Ueda's research lab specializes in organic synthesis and catalysis, with a focus on developing innovative, selective, and sustainable methods for complex molecule synthesis. The lab pioneers organocatalytic strategies for regioselective acylation of unprotected carbohydrates and natural products, enabling site-specific functionalization without the need for traditional protecting groups. Key research directions include the design of cascade reactions using self-assembled catalyst systems and the application of catalyst-controlled selectivity in total synthesis of bioactive natural products such as multifidosides, punicafolin, and macaranganin. The lab emphasizes predictability, scalability, and functional group tolerance in synthetic methodologies.
Professor Brendan Flanagan's research lab specializes in learning analytics and educational data science, focusing on leveraging big data from learning management systems and digital learning platforms to improve student outcomes. The lab explores predictive modeling of student performance and engagement, with an emphasis on explainable AI, synthetic data for privacy-preserving research, and personalized feedback systems—particularly for language learners. A key focus is on developing transparent, ethical, and scalable analytics frameworks that support diverse educational contexts.
Professor Mark Peterson's research lab specializes in computer-assisted language learning (CALL), with a focus on immersive virtual environments and digital games as contexts for second language acquisition. The lab investigates how learners engage in collaborative, target-language interaction within 3D virtual worlds (such as Second Life) and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), emphasizing sociocultural theories of language development. Key research directions include the role of negotiation of meaning, interactional and transactional communication strategies, and the development of sociocultural competence through game-based and task-based language learning.
Professor Mikio Kurita's research lab specializes in advanced optical engineering and precision instrumentation for astronomical telescopes, with a focus on lightweight, high-precision telescope structures, segmented mirror technology, and innovative measurement techniques. The lab develops cutting-edge solutions in adaptive optics, freeform optics fabrication, and data-stitching algorithms for high-accuracy surface metrology. Their work bridges mechanical design, optical fabrication, and computational methods to enable next-generation ground-based telescopes, such as the Seimei 3.8m telescope in Japan. Key innovations include genetically optimized telescope structures, low-noise wavefront sensors, and robotic polishing systems for large aspheric optics.
