Selection Committee for the OM Award for Encouraging Female Researchers, Chairperson Chikako Shingyoji<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am reporting on the selection of candidates for the FY2016 OM Award for Encouraging Female Researchers. The selection committee consisted of nine members: Chikako Shingiji (The University of Tokyo), Akimasa Fukui (Hokkaido University), Eriko Watanabe (Yamagata University), Manabu Matsuda (Tsukuba University), Mayako Kutsuwake (AIST), Reiko Okada (Shizuoka University), Masaharu Motokawa (Kyoto University), Hideaki Takeuchi (Okayama University), and Miho Katsuki (Fukuoka University). Kaoru Kubokawa (The University of Tokyo), the committee chair from the previous fiscal year, participated in the selection meeting as an observer. The award candidates were determined through preliminary written evaluations by each member and a selection meeting held on Friday, May 6, in Room 323 of Building No. 2, Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo, with all selection committee members in attendance. At the selection meeting, the committee deliberated on whether the 11 applicants could become award candidates, using the evaluations from the written review as a reference. In accordance with the objectives of the OM Award, the emphasis was placed not only on the promotion of excellent research in animal science, but also on whether the applicants have continued their research with strong determination and high aspirations despite the difficulties in maintaining a stable employment status. In particular, the committee carefully deliberated on whether such determination was reflected in their independence as researchers, research attitude, approach to research, and future potential. As a result, we have decided to recommend the following two candidates to the Board of Directors. Keiko Takanami<\/strong> Reason for Recommendation: The research content of all 11 applicants this time was excellent, and the application forms conveyed a strong research enthusiasm from each applicant. Among them, the research conducted by candidates Ota and Takanami showed outstanding originality, and their results were highly evaluated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Candidate Akane Ota has continued her research activities despite facing difficulties, such as temporarily losing the use of her right hand due wrist bone amputation surgery, as well as during the childbirth and childcare of her first child. She has achieved remarkable results in the molecular physiological analysis of environmental temperature responses using nematodes, elucidating temperature reception by photoreceptor neurons and the transmission of temperature information by trimeric G proteins, among other findings. Although she is currently still in an unstable position as a JSPS Research Fellow (RPD) and is expecting her second child, she has never lost her passion for research and has systematically strived to minimize and overcome disadvantages, an attitude toward research that has been highly evaluated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, the other candidate, Dr. Keiko Takanami, studied physical engineering, life sciences, and medical fields, and currently has mastered cutting-edge electron microscopy techniques, making efforts not only to broaden the scope of her research but also to delve deeply into it. Aiming to understand the evolution of the itch sensation, she has achieved outstanding results by capturing the threshold control of sensation at the molecular (genetic), morphological, and behavioral levels. She is ambitious not only in constantly and actively incorporating new methods into her research, but also in trying to expand the types of animals studied from an evolutionary perspective. She had to battle an unexpected illness around the time of childbirth, and because of her non-regular employment status, she had to persevere without even being able to take maternity leave. She has overcome the difficulties for a woman to continue her research with a resilient spirit and has achieved excellent research results. She was highly evaluated for her passion, motivation, and sense of responsibility for research despite the difficulties she faced, and for her strong determination and efforts to continue her research.
Notice
Name, affiliation, position, and \"research theme\" of the award candidate
Akane Ota<\/strong>
Konan University Graduate School of Natural Science, Department of Biology - JSPS RPD, Part-time Lecturer<\/strong>
Control mechanism of temperature adaptation in nematodes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Okayama University Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Ushimado Marine Institute, JSPS RPD<\/strong>
Elucidation of the Evolution of Itch and Its Biological Significance<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0That's all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n