Okayama University: Ms. Fumi Nakanishi and Ms. Ayaka Oashi of the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science and Natural Science received the "Nishina Prize"

April 5, 2026 (Reiwa 8)

National University Corporation Okayama University

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆Overview

The award ceremony for the "Reiwa 7th Nishina Prize," which honors the achievements of the late Dr. Yoshio Nishina, a physicist from Okayama Prefecture, and is awarded to outstanding science and engineering graduate school students from the prefecture who are scheduled to complete their studies, was held at the Okayama Prefectural Office on March 18, 2026. Ms. Fumi Nakanishi and Ms. Ayaka Oashi, doctoral students from the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science and Natural Science at our university, received certificates and trophies from Governor Ryuta Ibaragi.

Ms. Nakanishi received this award for her research theme, "Research on Neutrino Observation from Nearby Supernova Explosions at Super-Kamiokande," and Ms. Oashi for her work on "Elucidating the Mechanism of Type I Collagen Formation in Axolotl Skin Dermis."

Dr. Nishina, known as the "Father of Japanese Atomic Physics," was a graduate of the Sixth High School, one of the predecessors of our university. He is known to have deep ties with our university, having contributed to the establishment of the new Okayama University and its Faculty of Science.

＜Comments from each award recipient＞
■Ms. Fumi Nakanishi
I am deeply honored to receive the prestigious Nishina Prize. This research was made possible by the guidance of Professor Yusuke Oshio and other professors, everyone involved in the research, and the support of many people who have always supported me. I would like to express my sincere gratitude here.
Encouraged by this award, I will continue to earnestly pursue my research and strive for further progress.

■Ms. Ayaka Oashi
I am extremely honored to receive the prestigious Nishina Prize. I am grateful to the professors who guided me and to everyone who supported me. Encouraged by this award, I will continue to devote myself to my research activities even more diligently.

◆References

・Commending emerging scientists in Okayama Prefecture ~Reiwa 7th Nishina Prize Award Ceremony~ (Okayama Prefectural Office)

　https://okayama-pref.note.jp/n/n549e91439723

・Okayama University Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science and Natural Science

　https://www.elst.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆Related Information

・[Okayama University] Graduate student Ayaka Oashi received the "16th Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Ikushi Prize"

　https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003788.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Ayaka Oashi, a student from the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science and Natural Science, reported receiving the "Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Ikushi Prize" to President Yasutomo Nasu

　https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003908.000072793.html

◆Contact Information for this matter

Okayama University, Academic Affairs Department, Student Support Division

2-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, 700-8530 Okayama University Tsushima Campus
TEL: 086-251-7176

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/topix/topix_id805.html

＜Regarding collaboration with Okayama University Hospital, etc. (for pharmaceutical and medical device company personnel)＞
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Please make inquiries regarding relevant matters from the URL below
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＜Regarding collaboration with Okayama University Hospital, etc. (for medical personnel and researchers)＞
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