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 Hajime Otsuka's research lab focuses on the interplay between string theory, algebraic geometry, and particle physics, particularly in the context of Calabi-Yau compactifications and F-theory compactifications. The lab investigates the geometrical origins of fundamental symmetries such as CP violation, flavor symmetries, and R-symmetries, exploring how these emerge from modular and symplectic structures in moduli spaces. A central theme is the dynamical stabilization of moduli fields near fixed points in the complex structure moduli space, with implications for fermion mass hierarchies and CP violation. The lab also pioneers the application of machine learning techniques to navigate the vast string landscape and identify phenomenologically viable three-generation models.
Professor Koji Nakabayashi's research lab specializes in the development of advanced emulsification and polymerization techniques for creating highly functional nanomaterials. The lab focuses on surfactant-free, acoustically driven emulsification—particularly tandem ultrasonic emulsification—to produce stable, transparent nanoemulsions with precise control over droplet size. These emulsions serve as versatile platforms for synthesizing conductive polymer films, polymer nanoparticles, and nanowires, as well as enhancing catalytic reactions. The lab’s work bridges materials chemistry, nanotechnology, and sustainable synthesis.
Professor Shinya Ohmagari's research lab specializes in the development of high-quality diamond-based semiconductors for next-generation electronic devices. The lab focuses on reducing dislocation densities in diamond epitaxial films through innovative growth techniques such as metal-assisted termination and hot-filament chemical vapor deposition, enabling superior device performance. Key research directions include the fabrication of p-type ultrananocrystalline diamond/hydrogenated amorphous carbon composite films, characterization of crystalline defects using cathodoluminescence and spectroscopic methods, and the optimization of Schottky barrier diodes on diamond mosaic wafers. The ultimate goal is to overcome intrinsic material limitations in diamond electronics and realize high-power, high-temperature, and high-frequency devices.
Professor Yuqi Liu's research lab focuses on urban sociology and urban development in contemporary China, with a particular emphasis on the social and psychological impacts of urban redevelopment, migration, and urbanization. The lab investigates how neighborhood environments—both built and social—affect residents' subjective wellbeing, mental health, and community cohesion, especially among internal migrants and in rapidly transforming urban areas. Current research also explores the interplay between national policy initiatives and local urban governance, as well as the socio-spatial consequences of smart city technologies and urban renewal projects.
Professor Jahidul Hassan's research lab specializes in sustainable agricultural practices with a strong focus on wastewater reuse in horticulture, heavy metal risk assessment in food crops, and postharvest management of perishable vegetables. The lab investigates the impacts of textile dyeing wastewater on soil and crop quality, develops safe and efficient drying techniques for root vegetables like carrot, and explores biotechnological approaches such as ploidy manipulation to enhance fruit quality. Additionally, the lab is actively engaged in extending shelf life and preserving nutritional quality of horticultural produce through advanced packaging and postharvest treatments.
Professor Mugihito Oshiro's research lab specializes in microbial ecology and synthetic microbiology, with a focus on understanding and engineering complex microbial communities in fermented foods—particularly sourdough. The lab investigates the dynamics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast interactions, community succession, and interspecies interactions using integrative approaches such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing, in vitro modeling (e.g., generalized Lotka-Volterra models), and genome sequencing. A key research direction involves developing quantitative methods for food microbiome analysis, including spike-in standards for accurate community profiling, and applying these insights to improve the consistency and quality of fermented products. The lab also explores industrial applications of microbial fermentation, such as biofuel production through ABE fermentation, leveraging waste biomass and advanced bioprocessing techniques.
Professor Kunimasa Saitoh's research lab specializes in the design, analysis, and numerical modeling of advanced photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) and multicore fibers (MCFs) for next-generation optical communication systems. The lab focuses on controlling chromatic dispersion, confinement loss, and mode characteristics in PCFs through innovative numerical methods such as the full-vector finite element method with anisotropic perfectly matched layers. Key research directions include ultra-flattened dispersion fibers, single-polarization single-mode PCFs, and multicore fibers for space-division multiplexing to enable high-capacity, long-haul transmission. The lab also investigates novel fiber couplers and multiplexer-demultiplexer systems based on PCFs for compact, high-performance photonic devices.
Professor Sumitaka Kobayashi's research lab focuses on environmental and metabolic influences on fetal and child health, with a particular emphasis on prenatal exposures to environmental contaminants such as mercury, caffeine, tobacco smoke, and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The lab investigates how these exposures interact with maternal genetics and metabolic conditions—such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)—to affect fetal growth, birth outcomes, and long-term neurodevelopment. Key research directions include the role of maternal biomarkers (e.g., blood mercury, cotinine, PFOS/PFOA) and genetic polymorphisms in nuclear receptors in shaping fetal fatty acid metabolism and growth trajectories.
Professor Hiroshi Ito's research lab specializes in robotics and intelligent systems, focusing on developing robust, low-cost methods for motion generation and task execution in real-world environments. The lab integrates programming-based and learning-based approaches to balance reliability and adaptability, particularly in dynamic or unstructured settings. Key research directions include language-conditioned robotic control, force and motion coordination using deep learning, and efficient reinforcement learning for real-world deployment. The lab also explores applications in bio-inspired robotics and secure multimedia watermarking, demonstrating a broad yet cohesive interest in intelligent automation and human-robot interaction.
Professor Carina Hanashima's research lab focuses on the molecular and genetic mechanisms governing cerebral cortical development, with a central emphasis on transcriptional regulation by Foxg1 and BF1 (Brain factor-1). The lab investigates how telencephalic progenitor cells transition through competence states to generate diverse neuronal subtypes in a temporal and spatial manner, particularly the specification of early-born Cajal-Retzius neurons and deep-layer cortical neurons. Using mouse genetics and molecular developmental approaches, the lab explores how transcription factors control cell cycle dynamics, neuronal differentiation, and regional patterning in the neocortex, with implications for neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and microcephaly.
Professor Ashok Zachariah Samuel's research lab specializes in advanced spectroscopic and imaging techniques, particularly Raman spectroscopy and its applications in materials science, polymers, and biological systems. The lab focuses on developing innovative methodologies for spectral analysis—such as multivariate curve resolution and Raman imaging—to enable label-free, quantitative characterization of molecular structures and phase behavior in complex materials. Key research directions include the design of functional polymers with tunable self-assembly properties, such as Janus hybramers, and the investigation of nanostructured materials like porous films formed via controlled phase separation. The lab also pioneers the use of handheld and smartphone-integrated Raman technologies for real-world applications in pharmaceuticals, forensics, and food science.
Professor Masato Fujioka's research lab focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying inner ear inflammation, immune responses, and degenerative hearing loss. The lab investigates the role of resident immune cells—particularly macrophages—in cochlear pathologies induced by noise, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetic disorders such as Wolfram syndrome. Using advanced models including transgenic mice and nonhuman primates, the lab explores the dynamics of cell death, regeneration, and the inflammatory microenvironment in the cochlear lateral wall, especially in spiral ligament fibrocytes. Their work bridges immunology, otology, and regenerative biology to uncover therapeutic targets for sensorineural hearing loss.
Professor Tadahiko Mashino's research lab focuses on the development of novel therapeutic agents targeting cancer drug resistance, with a particular emphasis on molecular mechanisms involving the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway and p62 signaling. The lab investigates bioactive nanomaterials, such as water-soluble fullerene derivatives, for their pro-apoptotic and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-modulating effects in cancer cells. A key research direction involves designing small molecules, like the Nrf2 inactivator K67, to overcome resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma and other malignancies. The lab integrates chemical synthesis, cell biology, and molecular pharmacology to identify and optimize compounds that restore drug sensitivity in resistant cancer cells.
Professor Hideyoshi Yanagisawa's research lab specializes in affective computing and human-centered design, focusing on the computational modeling of human emotions, perception, and preference. The lab explores how emotional responses—particularly arousal and valence—are influenced by cognitive factors such as novelty, uncertainty, expectation, and sensory surprisal, using mathematical and Bayesian frameworks. A key research direction involves developing interactive design systems, especially through Interactive Evolutionary Computation (IEC), to support personalized and Kansei-driven product design by capturing individual emotional sensitivities and user preferences. The lab also investigates neural coding principles underlying perceptual biases like assimilation and contrast effects in expectation-driven perception.
Professor Ryo Nakanishi's research focuses on paleotsunamis and prehistoric earthquake hazards, particularly in the tectonically active regions of northern Japan. His lab specializes in reconstructing ancient tsunami events using geological evidence such as tsunami deposits and tephra layers, integrating field surveys, sedimentological analysis, and numerical modeling. The research aims to improve long-term seismic hazard assessment by developing high-resolution spatiotemporal records of large-magnitude earthquakes and tsunamis along subduction zones, especially the Kuril Trench. His work bridges geology, volcanology, and natural hazard science to enhance disaster preparedness in vulnerable coastal communities.
Professor Katsutaka Oishi's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms and their regulation of metabolic processes in mammals. The lab investigates how core circadian clock genes, particularly *Clock*, control the rhythmic expression of metabolic genes in peripheral tissues such as the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue. Key research directions include the role of transcriptional regulators like PPARα and FGF21 in mediating circadian metabolic adaptations, especially in lipid and glucose homeostasis. The lab also explores how systemic cues such as glucocorticoids and feeding rhythms synchronize peripheral clocks and maintain metabolic health.
Professor Zhao Wang's research lab specializes in multi-scale modeling and simulation of civil infrastructure durability, with a focus on the coupled hygro-thermal-chemo-electro-mechanical behaviors of reinforced concrete. The lab investigates long-term performance degradation mechanisms such as macro-cell corrosion, alkali-silica reaction, frost and fire damage, and moisture-induced cracking, integrating electrochemical kinetics and multi-ion transport. Their work spans from nanoscale cement hydration to structural member level, using advanced numerical platforms for lifecycle assessment under environmental and mechanical loads. The lab also develops innovative field measurement techniques, such as for ammonia volatilization, to support experimental validation of simulation models.
Professor Toshiaki Iizuka's research lab specializes in health economics and industrial organization, with a focus on physician agency, pharmaceutical market dynamics, and the impact of marketing and policy on healthcare decisions. The lab investigates how financial incentives, such as drug mark-ups and direct-to-consumer advertising, influence prescribing behaviors and patient outcomes in Japan and the U.S. Key research directions include the adoption of generic drugs, the role of promotional activities in shaping formulary choices, and the strategic behavior of durable goods producers, particularly in textbook markets. The lab combines microeconomic theory with empirical analysis using detailed panel and survey data to inform health policy and market regulation.
Professor Jumpei Ito's research lab focuses on the evolutionary and molecular interactions between host defense systems and retroelements, particularly endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and APOBEC3 antiviral factors. The lab investigates how endogenous retroviral sequences shape host gene regulation and immune defense, with a strong emphasis on epigenetic regulation, viral restriction mechanisms, and the coevolutionary dynamics between host restriction factors and retroviruses. Recent work explores the role of HERV-derived regulatory elements in cancer gene expression aberrations and the convergent evolution of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations in Omicron subvariants. The lab integrates genomics, evolutionary biology, and virology to uncover fundamental principles of host-pathogen coevolution.
Professor Tatsuya Seiki's research lab specializes in atmospheric modeling and cloud microphysics, focusing on improving the representation of cloud processes in global and regional climate models. The lab develops advanced cloud microphysics schemes—particularly double-moment bulk schemes—and investigates their impacts on radiative forcing, precipitation, and climate simulation accuracy. Key research directions include the aerosol-cloud-radiation interaction, cirrus cloud microphysics, and the sensitivity of cloud systems to model resolution and physical parameterizations. The lab also contributes to major climate modeling initiatives such as CMIP6 and HighResMIP through the development and refinement of the Nonhydrostatic ICosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM).
