Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Ryo Asaoka's research lab specializes in glaucoma progression prediction and visual field assessment, focusing on developing advanced statistical and machine learning models to improve clinical decision-making. The lab investigates the relationship between clinical measurements—such as visual acuity, visual field defects, intraocular pressure, and corneal parameters—and patient outcomes, with an emphasis on early detection and personalized monitoring. Key research directions include the application of regression models (e.g., Lasso, M-estimator, VBLR) and Random Forest algorithms to predict visual field progression using standard perimetry data, as well as evaluating the impact of binocular versus monocular visual field assessment on clinical interpretation. The lab also explores ocular biometrics and tonometry parameters to enhance the understanding of glaucoma pathophysiology and improve diagnostic accuracy.
Professor Yohei Katsuyama's research lab specializes in plant secondary metabolism, with a focus on the enzymatic biosynthesis of bioactive natural products such as curcuminoids and stilbenes. The lab investigates type III polyketide synthases and other key enzymes involved in the formation of pharmaceutically important compounds, employing molecular biology, biochemistry, and metabolic engineering approaches. A central theme is the engineering of microbial systems—particularly *Escherichia coli*—to produce valuable plant-derived compounds through synthetic biosynthetic pathways. The lab also contributes to genetic characterization of immune-related genes, such as MICA, in human populations.
Professor Masahiro Yamashita's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of advanced metal complexes with quantum effects and nonlinear properties, focusing on single-molecule magnets (SMMs) and single-chain magnets (SCMs) for quantum technologies. The lab explores inorganic-organic hybrid nanostructures, leveraging coordination chemistry and self-assembly to achieve precise spatial control over magnetic centers, enabling long spin coherence and slow magnetic relaxation. A key direction involves integrating SMMs into confined nanospaces—such as carbon nanotubes or metal-organic frameworks—to stabilize quantum behavior and enhance functionality. The lab also pioneers photo- and electrically responsive magnetic materials, aiming for multifunctional nanomaterials with applications in quantum information processing and sensing.
Professor Asuka Suzuki's research lab specializes in advanced materials processing, particularly focusing on additive manufacturing of metallic alloys and composites using laser-based powder bed fusion. The lab investigates the microstructure-property relationships in Al-Si and V-based alloys, with an emphasis on controlling defect formation, enhancing mechanical performance through heat treatment, and improving hydrogen permeation and embrittlement resistance via alloying. A key focus is the integration of machine learning and computational modeling to optimize process parameters and predict material behavior in complex lattice structures and metallic membranes.
Professor Hitoshi Sakakibara's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cytokinin metabolism, signaling, and long-distance communication in plants. The lab investigates how cytokinins regulate plant development through biosynthesis, transport, and signal transduction pathways, with an emphasis on whole-plant coordination and environmental adaptation. Key research directions include the genetic and biochemical regulation of cytokinin homeostasis and the role of cytokinins in root-shoot communication. The lab also explores comparative cytokinin metabolism in higher plants and Agrobacterium-infected plants, contributing to a deeper understanding of hormonal signaling networks.
Professor Masaya Shimabukuro's research lab specializes in developing bioactive and antibacterial surface coatings for titanium-based medical implants. The lab focuses on micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technology to incorporate antimicrobial elements—such as silver, copper, zinc, and niobium—into porous titanium dioxide layers, enhancing resistance to bacterial biofilm formation. Key research directions include controlling the release kinetics of metal ions, understanding their chemical states over time, and evaluating biological responses such as osteoblast compatibility and antibacterial efficacy. The lab also investigates the long-term durability and stability of these functional coatings under physiological conditions.
Professor Nataly Carolina Rosero-Navarro's research lab specializes in the development and characterization of advanced solid electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries. The lab focuses on optimizing garnet- and sulfide-based solid electrolytes through innovative synthesis methods, such as low-temperature sintering with additives and liquid-phase processing, to enhance ionic conductivity and interfacial stability. Key research directions include improving grain boundary conductivity, reducing interfacial resistance with cathode materials like NMC, and exploring novel hybrid perovskite materials for next-generation energy storage applications.
Professor Masaya Nakamura's research lab specializes in regenerative medicine for central nervous system injuries, with a primary focus on spinal cord injury (SCI) repair using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs). The lab investigates cell type-specific therapeutic mechanisms, particularly the role of oligodendrocyte precursor cell-enriched NS/PCs in promoting remyelination and functional recovery in preclinical models. Their work spans from rodent models to non-human primate (common marmoset) studies, aiming to bridge the gap between preclinical research and clinical translation. The lab is actively advancing toward clinical application, with a current focus on safety and dose-escalation trials in humans.
Professor Kang-Kun Lee's research lab specializes in hydrogeology, groundwater quality assessment, and contaminant remediation, with a focus on understanding the hydrochemical processes governing groundwater systems in urban and contaminated environments. The lab conducts advanced multivariate data analysis and field testing to evaluate aquifer properties, contaminant transport, and the effectiveness of remediation technologies such as pump-and-treat and natural biodegradation. Research also extends to hydraulic parameter estimation using pumping and slug tests, particularly in fractured or heterogeneous media, and explores innovative modeling approaches for both environmental and structural systems.
Professor Jaeyong Shin's research lab focuses on translational biomedical research with an emphasis on aging, frailty, and regenerative therapies. The lab investigates natural bioactive compounds—such as ginseng polysaccharides—for their immunomodulatory and anti-cancer properties, particularly in macrophage function and cytokine regulation. It also explores innovative dermatological treatments, including fractional CO₂ laser and phototherapy for vitiligo, and examines the role of physical performance markers like hand grip strength in predicting health outcomes. Additionally, the lab contributes to the emerging field of healthcare applications of large language models, emphasizing methodological rigor in clinical AI research.
Professor Jung-Seok Lee's research lab specializes in regenerative dentistry and oral tissue engineering, with a primary focus on alveolar bone and periodontal regeneration. The lab investigates the efficacy of various bone graft materials—such as rhGDF-5, DBBM, DPBM, and rhBMP-2—in preserving and reconstructing alveolar ridge volume following tooth extraction or in compromised sites. Key research directions include optimizing grafting techniques, evaluating long-term clinical outcomes, and advancing digital and clinical measurement methods for periodontal parameters.
Professor Hyun-Woo Kim's research lab specializes in sustainable bioprocesses for renewable energy and resource recovery, focusing on anaerobic digestion of organic wastes, photoautotrophic microbial cultivation, and advanced bioreactor systems. The lab investigates co-digestion of food waste and sewage sludge to enhance methane production, develops membrane-based carbonation systems for efficient CO₂ delivery in photobioreactors, and explores the optimization of cyanobacterial and algal systems for biomass and bioenergy production. Key research directions include process intensification, nutrient limitation mitigation, and the integration of real-world environmental conditions into bench-scale bioprocesses.
Professor Geunbae Lim's research lab specializes in the design and fabrication of advanced functional materials with applications in environmental sustainability, biomedical engineering, and energy efficiency. The lab focuses on developing nanomaterials and smart surfaces—such as superhydrophobic and superoleophobic membranes, nanofibrous membranes, and nanostructured electrodes—for high-performance separation, biosensing, and energy-related applications. Key research directions include surface engineering for stable wettability under mechanical stress, scalable fabrication of biomimetic materials, and the integration of nanomaterials into practical devices like biosensors and oil/water separators. The lab combines materials science, nanotechnology, and microfabrication techniques to address real-world challenges in water purification, healthcare diagnostics, and sustainable energy.
Professor Chang-Keun Song's research lab specializes in atmospheric aerosol modeling, satellite remote sensing, and air quality simulation with a focus on East Asia and the continental United States. The lab develops advanced algorithms for retrieving aerosol optical depth and particulate matter concentrations from geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite instruments, integrating multi-sensor data with chemical transport models. Key research directions include improving air quality forecasting through downscaling of global chemistry models and investigating the formation and impacts of secondary organic aerosols. The lab also emphasizes the application of satellite-derived aerosol data to assess public health risks and support environmental policy.
Professor Tra Huong Thi Le's research lab specializes in edge intelligence and distributed machine learning systems, with a strong focus on federated learning, mobile edge computing (MEC), and incentive-driven resource allocation in wireless networks. The lab investigates privacy-preserving machine learning frameworks that optimize communication efficiency, energy consumption, and system fairness in decentralized environments. Key research directions include intelligent reflecting surfaces, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and auction-based mechanisms to motivate user participation in federated learning and caching systems.
Professor Yoku Hayakawa's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying gastric cancer development, with a particular emphasis on the roles of neural regulation, signaling pathways such as MAPK and ASK1, and gastric stem cells in tumorigenesis. The lab investigates how neural innervation, hormonal signals like progastrin, and cellular plasticity—including stem cell dedifferentiation and metaplasia—contribute to gastric carcinogenesis and therapy resistance. Using genetically engineered mouse models and human tissue analyses, the lab aims to identify novel targets for chemoprevention and therapeutic intervention in gastric cancer.
Professor Toru Okamoto's research lab focuses on viral pathogenesis and host cell death mechanisms, particularly apoptosis regulation by viral and cellular proteins. The lab investigates the structural and biochemical mechanisms of viral immune evasion, with a strong emphasis on how viruses manipulate host apoptotic pathways through viral Bcl-2 homologs and viral protein interactions. Key research directions include the development of therapeutic peptides targeting Bcl-2 family proteins, the role of host chaperones in viral replication (e.g., Hsp90-FKBP8 in HCV), and the use of human organoid models to study viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 and flaviviruses. The lab also explores G protein-coupled receptor signaling through peptide ligands, linking receptor activation to downstream cellular responses.
Professor Masashi Narita's research lab focuses on cellular mechanisms underlying aging, cell death, and tumor suppression, with a central emphasis on autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, and cellular senescence. The lab investigates how mTOR signaling and organelle-specific compartments like the TASCC regulate protein homeostasis and inflammatory responses during senescence and differentiation. Key interests include the role of Bcl-2 family proteins in mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, the regulation of autophagy in aging and cancer, and the molecular crosstalk between organelles and stress response pathways. The lab also explores the clinical implications of these pathways, including adverse effects of antibiotics like linezolid and their links to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Professor Shinichiro Fuse's research lab specializes in the development of innovative, efficient, and mild synthetic methodologies for complex molecule construction, with a strong focus on peptide and heterocycle synthesis. The lab pioneers continuous-flow and microreactor-based technologies to achieve rapid, high-yielding, and epimerization-minimized amide bond formation, enabling the synthesis of challenging peptides containing labile or racemization-prone amino acids. Additionally, the lab advances the synthesis of biologically relevant natural products and functional building blocks through novel activation strategies and flash-switching techniques in microflow systems. Their work bridges organic synthesis with practical applications in drug discovery and materials science.
Professor Ken Kojio's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of advanced polymeric materials, with a primary focus on polyurethane elastomers and self-assembled monolayers. The lab investigates structure-property relationships in soft segments—particularly polycarbonate and polyether glycols—aimed at controlling microphase separation, crystallization, and mechanical performance. A key direction involves developing novel diisocyanates and surface-modifying agents to tailor molecular arrangements and interfacial properties at the nanoscale. The lab employs advanced characterization techniques such as DSC, WAXD, SAXS, TEM, AFM, and X-ray scattering to probe molecular ordering and phase behavior.
