Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Zoological Society of Japan
Noriko Oshima, Chair of the Selection Committee for the OM Award for Encouraging Female Researchers
The Female Researcher Encouragement OM Award aims to encourage new attempts by female researchers toward the development of 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 eager to work on research." With the incorporation of the Zoological Society of Japan as a public interest incorporated foundation in 2012, public applications have been open to all female researchers studying zoological science since fiscal year 2013, with 14 applicants. However, following the withdrawal of one applicant thereafter, evaluation was conducted for 13 applicants.
The committee to select candidates for the FY2013 OM Award for Encouragement of Female Researchers consisted of six selection committee members (Noriko Oshima, Chikako Shingyoji, Gen Takaku, Tomoki Tamotsu, Hiroshi Hosoya, and Midori Matsumoto). First, each member conducted a written review of each applicant. Subsequently, a selection committee meeting was held on Saturday, May 18, in a conference room in Building No. 2 of the School of Science at the University of Tokyo, with all selection committee members in attendance. Based on the objectives of the OM Award, the committee conducted a detailed deliberation on criteria such as whether the applicants are promoting outstanding research, and whether they continue their research with a strong will and high aspirations despite facing difficulties in maintaining a stable employment status. As a result, the committee decided to recommend the following two candidates to the Board of Directors.
Winner's Name, Affiliation, and Title
Ikuko Yuyama, Shizuoka University, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Academic Researcher (Part-time)
targeted research topic
The effect of differences in symbiotic algae on the stress tolerance of corals
Winner's Name, Affiliation, and Title
Maki Kurabayashi, Researcher (fixed-term), RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology
targeted research topic
Functional analysis of germ cell differentiation-related genes in Ciona intestinalis Type A
The research content of all the applicants was excellent, and their strong motivation for research could be felt from their applications. However, it is regrettable that in some cases it was difficult to discern from the applications whether they met a crucial point for the selection of the Encouragement Award for Female Researchers OM—namely, "continuing research with strong will and high aspirations despite the difficulty of doing so in a stable position."
This time, the OM Prize nominee Ikuko Yuyama was highly evaluated for realizing the difficulty for women to continue their research when facing various hardships, yet—despite currently holding the position of part-time academic researcher—continuing to achieve outstanding research results without losing her passion for research. In addition, the other nominee, Maki Kurabayashi, was highly evaluated for consistently using ascidians as research material, actively adopting new methodologies, and achieving outstanding research results. She was highly evaluated for maintaining her passion, motivation, and sense of responsibility for research despite the difficulties she faces, and for making strenuous efforts with strong enthusiasm to continue her research.
