Dear Members of the Zoological Society of Japan

At the Board of Directors meeting of the Zoological Society of Japan held from 13:00 on Friday, June 12, 2026, three candidates for the 2026 grant were recommended by the Mariko Myohara Research Encouragement Grant Selection Committee.
As a result of its deliberation, the Zoological Society of Japan Board of Directors has decided to award grants to the following three individuals.

Mayuko Mihara Research Encouragement Grant Grantee Abstract

Hiroyuki Kanaya (Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, GENTEN Research Center, Institute of Science Tokyo)
Research Project Title: "Elucidation of Molecular Signals Encoding 'Sleepiness' in Epithelial Cells of the Cnidarian Hydra"

Asako Terasaki (Chiba University, Graduate School of Science, Lecturer)
Research project title: "The role of the nebulin superfamily uniquely diverged in teleost fish"

Yasuo Higurashi (Assistant Professor, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University)
Research project title: "Does the flexibility of a cat's spine enhance its jumping ability?"

*In alphabetical order, titles omitted

Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Zoological Society of Japan