Four iCeMS researchers awarded science and technology prizes by MEXT

April 17, 2014

The Japanese science ministry (MEXT) has awarded Commendation for Science and Technology Prizes to four iCeMS researchers for their outstanding outreach activities and research achievements.

iCeMS scientists Norio Nakatsuji, Kei Kano, and Eri Mizumachi received a prize under the category of "Public Understanding Promotion" for hosting classrooms that give high school students hands-on experiences with pluripotent stem cells. To date, five classrooms have been held in collaboration with researchers from the Extenal LinkCenter of iPS Research and Application (CiRA). Participants are given a chance to be in the shoes of scientists for a day by looking at live cells through microscopes, and actively engaging in scientific discussions. Mari Toyama, a researcher in CiRA's international public communications office (IPCO), and Osaka Kyoiku University Associate Professor Masahiro Kawakami -- a former researcher in CiRA's IPCO -- also received the prize together with the iCeMS scientists.

Koichiro Tanaka, a professor at iCeMS, won a research prize for his studies on the characterization of materials -- such as gases, liquids and solids -- through the use of terahertz lasers, which emit electromagnetic radiation. These lasers are able to identify key features of molecules that are unique, similar to fingerprints.

The awards ceremony was held on April 15, 2014 at the MEXT in Tokyo.


(From left) Drs. Mizumachi, Nakatsuji, Tanaka, and Kano
 

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