Kumamoto University Honors Outstanding Women Researchers
Kumamoto University held an award ceremony on March 9 at D-Square to recognize recipients of the FY2025 Kumamoto University Award for Women Researchers and the Kumamoto University Encouragement Award for Women Researchers.Established in FY2016, these awards aim to recognize outstanding research achievements by women scholars and to support the development of promising early-career women researchers. Through this initiative, Kumamoto University seeks to encourage the continued advancement of women in research and promote gender equality across academic fields. This year marked the 10th presentation of the awards. For each award category, recipients were selected from three academic areas: Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Life Sciences.
Applications were invited from women researchers based in Kumamoto Prefecture as well as women researchers who graduated from Kumamoto University. Following a rigorous review process, five researchers were selected.
Recipients of the Kumamoto University Award for Women Researchers, which recognizes individuals with distinguished research achievements and exemplary leadership as role models, was awarded to:
- Rie Sano (Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University)
The Kumamoto University Encouragement Award for Women Researchers, which recognizes promising early-career researchers, was awarded to:
- Kana Matsuishi (Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences, Kumamoto University)
- Zannatul Mumtarin Moushumy (Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology – Engineering, Kumamoto University)
- Rieko Asai (International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University)
- Saori Koga (Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University)
During the ceremony, President Hisao Ogawa expressed his hope that the award program will continue to grow as an initiative that strengthens the research capabilities of women researchers in Kumamoto Prefecture and among graduates of Kumamoto University. Each award recipient received a certificate of commendation and a crystal plaque as a commemorative gift.
Following the ceremony, participants gathered for an exchange lunch at the D-Square Exchange Lounge, providing an opportunity for networking and informal discussion. During the lunch, a previous award recipient, Assistant Professor Yukana Terasawa, who is currently conducting research in Australia with support from the Kumamoto University Booster Future Women Program, joined the event via Zoom to share her experiences and insights. Her talk offered encouragement and inspiration to other women researchers interested in pursuing international research opportunities.
At the same time, a poster session by women researchers was held nearby, allowing participants to learn more about each other's research activities.
The event concluded with research presentations by the award recipients, who introduced their current research projects and shared their future research plans in their respective fields.
Opening Remarks by President Ogawa
Explanation of the Awards by Vice President Ohira
Group Photo with Award Recipients (five in the front row on the right)
Assistant Professor Yukana Terasawa Speaking via Zoom
A Participant Asking a Question During the Exchange Lunch
Poster Session
Group Photo of All Participants
Explanation of the Awards by Vice President Ohira
Group Photo with Award Recipients (five in the front row on the right)
Assistant Professor Yukana Terasawa Speaking via Zoom
A Participant Asking a Question During the Exchange Lunch
Poster Session
Group Photo of All Participants