The Female Researcher Encouragement OM Award "aims to encourage new attempts by female researchers to develop zoology, and is presented in particular to outstanding female researchers who find it difficult to continue research in a stable position, but who have a strong will and high aspirations and are enthusiastic about pursuing research." There were 6 applicants. Among them, member Kazuko Koshiba was decided to be recommended as a candidate for the Encouragement Award, and was therefore excluded from selection. Based on the purpose of the OM Award, the research content, attitude toward research, research environment, etc., of the 5 applicants were deliberated in detail, and as a result, it was decided to recommend 2 candidates to the Board of Directors.

Winner Name / Affiliation
Yuki Nakatani, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology
targeted research topic
Elucidation of the mechanisms driving pelvic fin diversity among different fish species

Winner Name / Affiliation
Tomoko Shibata, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo
targeted research topic
transitions of regeneration modes in the evolutionary process of animals

Reason for selection

All of the applicants' research topics were excellent. In particular, Member Yuki Nakatani is a part-time researcher and Member Tomoko Shibata is a short-term contract postdoc. Although both are in situations where it is difficult to continue research with a stable position, they have continued their research without losing their passion and have achieved outstanding results. In particular, these two individuals were highly evaluated in all aspects that should be emphasized given the nature of the OM Prize: independence as a researcher, the relevance of their research content to zoology, presentations at Zoological Science and society meetings, the presence or absence of various obstacles in conducting research and their research attitude, and future potential.