2015 Tokyo Tech Challenging Research Award

The Tokyo Tech Challenging Research Award is given to young faculty members who undertake bold and original research, promote advancement in cutting-edge fields, and develop innovative solutions to key issues. This award is also designed to provide support for research expenses. Many researchers who received this award go on to receive other commendations and prizes from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Ten individuals were selected to receive the 14th Challenging Research Award in 2015.

2015 Tokyo Tech Challenging Research Award recipients

Name	Affiliation	Title	Research topic
Kiyotaka Aikawa*	Department of Physics (Condensed Matter Physics), Graduate School of Science and Engineering	Associate Professor	Realization of ultracold nanoparticles in vacuum towards novel physical properties
Kazuhiko Maeda*	Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering	Associate Professor	Development of a hybrid photocatalyst consisting of an organic polymer semiconductor and a metal complex for CO2 reduction
Takaaki Yano*	Department of Electronic Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering	Assistant Professor	Development of a functional nano-spectroscopic technique
Kazumasa Kuwada	Department of Mathematics, Graduate School of Science and Engineering	Associate Professor	Stochastic analysis on metric measure spaces and optimal transport
Masato Nikaido	Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology	Associate Professor	Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the diversification biological organisms
Takuji Yamada	Department of Biological Information, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology	Associate Professor	Early stage colorectal cancer detection using fecal microbiome multi-omics data
Takane Imaoka	Chemistry for Inorganic Materials Division, Chemical Resources Laboratory	Associate Professor	Development of ultrafine metal-nanoparticle synthesis allowing atomicity and shape controls
Takashi Koike	Smart Material Chemistry Division, Chemical Resources Laboratory	Assistant Professor	New synthetic strategy based on radical reactions by photoredox catalysis
Wataru Hijikata	Precision and Intelligence Laboratory	Assistant Professor	Improvement of quality of life for patients with implantable artificial hearts
Kazuhiro Matsuda	Division of Structural Engineering, Materials and Structures Laboratory	Assistant Professor	Development of effective passive control design method for actualizing and familiarizing tall timber buildings

*Granted a special award by the president

• 2014 Tokyo Tech Challenging Research Award