[Okayama University] Sharing the Forefront of Aquatic Environmental Science: "The 2nd Aquatic Environmental Science Seminar" Held

March 27, 2026 (Reiwa 8) Okayama University (National University Corporation)

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

◆Overview

Okayama University (National University Corporation, Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasutomo Nasu) held the "2nd Aquatic Environmental Science Seminar" at the Co-creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE) on its Tsushima Campus on March 9, 2026. This seminar was held as part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities (J-PEAKS)," following the first seminar held in June last year.

This seminar was co-hosted by Okayama University's Institute for Advanced Study and the Shinshu University/University of Tokyo Collaborative Office of the Research Center for Water Environment Technology, attached to the Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. Approximately 40 faculty members, staff, and students from Okayama University participated on the day, engaging in lively interdisciplinary discussions, making it a venue for generating new ideas and innovations.

At the beginning of the seminar, as a special extra session, Dr. Geraldine Echue, Associate Editor of Advanced Materials (Wiley, IF 26.8), a leading academic journal in the field of materials science, was invited. She shared tips for writing papers, the publication process from submission to peer review and acceptance, and key points for evaluating papers from an editor's perspective. Additionally, AI tools, which are increasingly being utilized in academic publishing, were discussed, leading to a lively exchange of opinions on new trends surrounding paper writing and the dissemination of research findings.

Following this, three researchers delivered presentations on their research findings: Associate Professor Moriizumi from Okayama University's Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Professor Nobuko Fukuda from Okayama University's Faculty of Environmental Science and Technology, and Professor Rie Makiura from Tohoku University's Graduate School of Engineering. Associate Professor Moriizumi spoke about the molecular mechanisms of aquaporins involved in the selective permeation of water and CO₂. Professor Fukuda discussed the potential applications of plasmonics in aquatic environmental science. Professor Makiura presented on the creation of porous complex MOF nanosheets using aquatic interfaces and the development of their functions. Questions from participants led to active discussions on the research content and future developments. After the seminar, a networking event was also held at the same venue, where participants exchanged ideas on their research and potential future collaborations.

This seminar, themed around aquatic environmental science, provided an opportunity to consider new research developments for water resources, environmental, and energy issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. Under the "Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities (J-PEAKS)," Okayama University aims to foster interdisciplinary research exchange, starting with the integration of different fields, to create new knowledge. The university will continue to promote research collaborations both internally and externally through such initiatives.

Please continue to look forward to the initiatives of Okayama University: an open regional core and distinctive research university.