Researchers are now spreading their wings fromTohoku to the world.

TI - FRIS
Tohoku Initiative for Fostering Global Researchers for Interdisciplinary Sciences

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Overview of the Initiative
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) ’s Strategic Professional
Development Program for Young Researchers aims to enhance the research productivity of Japan. It
supports universities and research institutions that promote the strategic development of excellent
researchers. The project includes incorporating information about the best models in other countries into
good examples of the development of researchers in Japan, creating programs for developing the world’s
top-class researchers, and establishing a coordinated system for researcher development (e.g., a system topublish papers in leading international journals, to obtain overseas research grants, etc.) rather thandisparate schemes in each laboratory.
(https://www.jst.go.jp/innov-jinzai/sekai/en/index.html)
In 2020, the Tohoku Initiative for Fostering Global Researchers for Interdisciplinary Sciences (TI-FRIS) was
selected as a MEXT Strategic Professional Development Program for Young Researchers. TI-FRIS, led by
Tohoku University, formed a consortium with universities in the Tohoku region Hirosaki University, Iwate
University, Akita University, Yamagata University, Fukushima University, and Miyagi University of Education
as well as the Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. In partnership with cooperating research institutions andcompanies in Japan and worldwide, the initiative establishes a new researcher development program
covering the whole Tohoku region for TI-FRIS Fellows selected from participating universities to help themgrow to the world’s top-class researchers with interdisciplinarity, internationality, and sociability, anddemonstrates its effectiveness.

Interdisciplinarity

the ability to carry out interdisciplinary researchwith researchers in different fields

Internationality

the ability to conduct research through friendly competition
with researchers around the world

Sociability
the ability to work with society to translate research outcomes
into social applications

01

What isTI-FRIS?

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Message from the Program Manager
The Tohoku region of northern Japan is faced with numerous challenges from a declining birth rate to disasterrecovery and the need to switch to green energy. These are issues that concern the future of humanity andare deeply connected to the SDGs, and they are shared globally. The seven national universities of the Tohoku
region all have their strengths in terms of independent research related to these challenges. They have built
strong foundations and boast good track records in education and research in all of these areas.
TI-FRIS aims to foster world-class researchers who will be essential to addressing those challenges. They must
be equipped with interdisciplinarity (able to develop interdisciplinary research with researchers in different
fields), internationality (to conduct research through friendly competition with researchers around the world),
and sociability (to work with society to translate research outcomes into social applications).
TI-FRIS is led by Tohoku University, which has been working to foster research talent based on interdisciplinary
research. A consortium was formed with participating universities in the Tohoku region Hirosaki University,
Iwate University, Akita University, Yamagata University, Fukushima University, and Miyagi University of
Education as well as the Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. - all of which possess their own research strengths.
This program seeks to harness those advantages and their characteristic initiatives. In partnership withcooperating research institutions and companies in Japan and worldwide, TI-FRIS provides programs oninterdisciplinary researcher exchange, international collaborative research, and social implementation ofresearch, as well as a basic transferable skills training program. These programs
will create a diverse, creative forum to flexibly serve and support theindependent growth of researchers. Through these programs, we aim to develop
researchers to lead international collaborative research projects and projects toimplement research findings in society.

Toshiyuki Hayase Program Manager
Director,
Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Tohoku University02

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Governance
The TI-FRIS Secretariat sits within the Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences at Tohoku
University, the lead institution. The Program Manager oversees the initiative overall, while the Program
Steering Committee made up of members from each participating institution deliberates on importantmatters related to the initiative. The Advisory Board and External Evaluation Committee are made up of
third-party experts. The Faculty Evaluation Committee selects and assesses program candidates of TI-FRIS
Fellows, while the Program Development Working Group is responsible for the general implementation of
the programs. Domestic and international mentors provide support to TI-FRIS Fellows. With its online
researcher exchange and meeting system, TI-FRIS has established the conditions for both researcher
exchanges and efficient working of the committees.
Tohoku University’s President
Executive Vice President for Research

Outside experts
Advisory Board
External Evaluation Committee

Participating institutions/
Cooperating institutions

Program Manager

Participating institutions
Management Council Executives
Participating universities Directors
Participating companies

Program Steering Committee
Faculty Evaluation Committee
Program Development Working Group

Seminar lecturers, etc.

Secretariat / Technical Support

Cooperating institutions abroad
Domestic mentors

International mentors

TI-FRIS Fellows

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Partnerships
Johns Hopkins University(USA, Soft materials)

Iwate University

Hirosaki University(Agriculture-industry cooperation)（Sweden, Wireless communication）

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
(Advanced electronic components)

Shanghai University
Simon Fraser University(Radiation damage alleviation)

Energy Support

Lund University(China, Interdisciplinary research)

Interprotein Corporation

Akita University

World Health Organization (WHO)(Nuclear medicine)

Tohoku University(Canada, Soft materials)

Stanford University

National Center for
Geriatrics and Gerontology(USA, Sleep research)(Geriatric research)

The University of Melbourne

Mizusawa VLBI Observatory,
National Astronomical Observatory ofJapan(Australia, Interdisciplinary research)

University of British Columbia(Canada, Life Sciences)

Yamagata University(Radio astronomy)

University of Geneva(Switzerland, Astronomy)

Miyagi University of
Education

University of Otago(New Zealand, Food)Japan Petroleum Exploration
Co., Ltd.
(Earth resource)

Fuji Electric(Nuclear hazard monitoring)

Fukushima Medical University

Fukushima University

MRI(Radiation dose evaluation)

Mitsubishi Chemical(Organic chemistry)

Under TI-FRIS, a consortium has been formed with seven national universities of the Tohoku region withtrack records of partnership in all areas of education and research, as well as the Mitsubishi ResearchInstitute, Inc. a multidisciplinary international thinktank. This researcher development program is beingrolled out in partnership with research institutions and companies in Japan and worldwide, based on thebuilding of a network that harnesses the strengths of each institution. This global network, anchored in the
Tohoku region, will create a tremendously diverse and creative forum.

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Researcher Development Program
Five programs are being implemented under this initiative in order to foster field-leading world-classresearchers who are equipped with the ability to develop interdisciplinary research with researchers in
different fields (interdisciplinarity), the ability to conduct research through friendly competition withresearchers around the world (internationality) and the ability to work with society to translate researchoutcomes into social applications (sociability). These are the International Collaborative Research Program,the Interdisciplinary Researcher Exchange Program, the Social Implementation Program, the Transferable
Skills Training Program, and the Common Program.
FeatureFeature1

Feature2

3

Interdisciplinarity

Internationality

Sociability

Interdisciplinary Researcher
Exchange Program

International Collaborative
Research Program

Social Implementation
ProgramBringing TI-FRIS Fellows from different
specializations and institutions together,
research exchanges take interdisciplinary
research to the next level throughpresentation and discussion of researchfindings. Builds the ability to developinterdisciplinary research with researchers
in different fields (interdisciplinarity).

TI-FRIS Fellows spend around one monthevery year at an overseas research
institution, conducting ongoing international
collaborative research with top-level
foreign researchers. Builds the ability to
conduc t research through friendly
competition with researchers around theworld (internationality).

TI-FRIS Fellows undertake industry-academic
joint research with participating companies
and others, engaging in exchanges andsupporting the application of researchfindings in society. Builds the ability towork with society to translate researchoutcomes into social applications(sociability).

ー 5 years ーー 5 years ーTransferable Skills Training Programー 5 years ーー 5 years ーCommon ProgramFeaturing Lecture Courses by Top Researchers, on Academic Impact,
Societal Impact, Industrial R&D and Social Implementation, andInterdisciplinary Research. Builds the essential skills for becoming theworld’s top-class researchers. Note: Transferable skills are those skills
that are applicable regardless of industry or work types, such asproblem-solving, self-management, and interpersonal skills.

In partnership with participating institutions, TI-FRIS established the
Research Facilities Sharing Network that provides basic researchequipment so that TI-FRIS Fellows can conduct research in an independent
research environment. TI-FRIS symposia are also held for TI-FRIS Fellows to
impart their findings, meet those from participating and cooperating
institutions, and disseminate information about the program.

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Organized Events
Symposium

Hub Meeting＊

Online event

Hub Meeting is an interdisciplinary opportunity to interact with a wide rangeof young researchers. This meeting supports the growth of young researchers
to understand the importance of interdisciplinary research and to be able touse it. The presentations will focus on “what is interesting about my field,”“what is the research method in my field,” and “ introduction of problems thatare not likely to be solved only within my field.”Presenter

Assistant Professor（TI-FRIS Fellow）

Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences,
Tohoku University / Life and Environments

Presenter＊

Professor

Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences,
Tohoku University / Information and Systems

Online event

The 1st TI-FRIS International
Sy m p o s i u m w a s h e l d o nMarch 23-24, 2021. TI-FRIS
Fellow s introduced theirresearch and the stakeholders
interacted with each other.
Many par ticipated in this
symposium online.

Presenter

Assistant Professor（TI-FRIS Fellow）

Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences,
Tohoku University / Life and Environments

06Transferable Skills Training Program＊

Online event

TI-FRIS holds lectures by top researchers or experts from Japan and worldwide who have a lot of achievements tostrengthen the TI-FRIS Fellows’ essential skills to be the world’s top-class researchers. Lectures of FY2020 were heldin the TI-FRIS symposium. TI-FRIS promotes the flexible operation of the program by holding online lectures andarchiving the recorded videos.

Lecture Course on Interdisciplinary Research

Lecture Course on Industrial R&D andSocial Implementation

Assistant Professor

Research Director

Institute for Frontier Life and Medical
Sciences, Kyoto University

Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Lecture Course by Top Researchers

Professor

Professor

University of Geneva

Korea Basic Science InstituteLecture Course on Societal Impact

Associate Professor

Research Center on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues,
Osaka University

07

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TI-FRIS Fellow
TI-FRIS Fellows are selected from participating universities every year. The program takes up to five
years, with a follow-up period of five further years. In the programs provided by TI-FRIS, they will
engage in regular interdisciplinary researcher exchanges with different specializations and institutions,ongoing international collaborative research with overseas researchers, and the application of researchfindings in society.

Hirofumi Tazoe Associate Professor

Kentaro Murata Assistant Professor

My study is method development of radionuclide inenvironmental and biological samples. In addition to solid
phase extraction and mass-spectrometry, development of
automated separation system is also investigated forestablishment of international standard

Toward the practical application of microwave wireless powertransfer technology, in addition to improving transfer efficiency,
we aim to break multifaceted barriers, such as detecting thelocation of dead-battery devices and avoiding radio interferencewith human and existing wireless systems.

Hirosaki University ■Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine
Starting Year: 2020

Keywords

Iwate University ■Faculty of Science and Engineering
Starting Year: 2020

1. Radionuclide 2. Chemical separation 3. Automated system

Keywords

Osamu Nomura Assistant Professor

Madoka Ichikawa-Seki Assistant Professor

We will develop a mobile lab to measure the real-timeemotions of healthcare professionals in a crisis situation suchas the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent their burnout forsustainable healthcare provision.

Fasciolosis is a one of important parasitic zoonoses. The aimof the present study is to develop a diagnostic method forthe disease which have global demand

Iwate University ■Faculty of Agriculture
Starting Year: 2021

Hirosaki University ■Graduate School of Medicine
Starting Year: 2021

Keywords

1. Medical Education 2. Emotions 3. Learning science

Keywords

1. Zoonosis 2. Parasitology 3. Liver fluke

Katsuyuki Takahashi Associate Professor

Naoya Onizawa Associate Professor

Applications utilizing high-density radicals produced in theplasma generated by the pulsed power technology for
agriculture and food industries, such as an environmental
management system for plant grow th and keeping
freshness of fruits and vegetables, are investigated.

The objective of this study is to establish invertible logic that canrealize bidirectional computing , where a current computing
technology realizes only forward computing. In addition, theapplication using invertible logic is developed for artificial
intelligence and various social issues.

Iwate University ■Faculty of Science and Engineering
Starting Year: 2020

Keywords

1. Wireless power transfer 2. Wireless communication 3. Radar

Tohoku University ■Research Institute of Electrical Communication
Starting Year: 2020

1. High voltage 2. Plasma 3. Collaboration of agriculture and engineering

Keywords

08

1. Computer science 2. Neural networks 3. Simulated annealing

Yasunori Okamoto Assistant Professor

Takuya Mabuchi Assistant Professor

Ar tificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) are construc ted byintroduction of a synthetic catalyst into a protein scaffold. The
current challenge is the concurrent use of ArMs with various
catalysts, such as synthetic metal complexes and biocatalysts,
leading to systems catalysis.

The research involves theoretical and computer simulation studies of
biomolecular and materials systems. Current research activities span
both development of new computational methods and theoreticalcharacterization of proton/hydroxide transport and protein/polymer
phase behavior in biomolecular and polymer materials systems.

Tohoku University ■Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Starting Year: 2020

Keywords

Keywords

Tohoku University ■Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Starting Year: 2020

Keywords

1. Artificial metalloenzyme 2. Protein Engineering 3. Biofunctional Chemistry

Yuanyuan Guo Assistant Professor
Tohoku University ■Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Starting Year: 2020

Hiroya Abe Assistant Professor

I am interested to bridge the gap between engineering andbiology by developing multimodal fibers and biosensors to
study complex biological systems, particularly the brain.

All living things have outstanding functions throughout the
body. My research aims to understand and mimic the functionsof nature and beyond nature, based on Electrochemistry,
Polymer science, Analytical chemistry.

Tohoku University ■Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Starting Year: 2021

1. Neurotechnology 2. Bioelectronics 3. Multifuntional fibers

Keywords

Joji Kusuyama Assistant Professor

Keywords

Chrystelle Bernard Assistant Professor
Tohoku University ■Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Starting Year: 2021

My hypothesis is that the placenta is a transducer that conveys
maternal information to their children. I try to utilize placental
function for the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases andcongenital diseases in the next generation.

Deformation behavior of polymer particles under impact andat the scale of the microstructure. Understanding of polymer
coating by cold spray process. Development of polymer
coating by cold spray and its characterization. Understandingof the deposition mechanisms of polymer powder.

1. Endocrinological Metabology 2. Exercise Physiology 3. Epigenetics

Keywords

1. Nanomechanics 2. Polymer 3. Cold spray process

Yuta Nakayasu Assistant Professor

Kazutoshi Haga Associate Professor

I use the green processes to convert the wood resources into
various carbon materials and apply them to energy devicematerials that contribute to electricity storage and electricity
creation. The goal is to incorporate these devices into our lives
and create an eco-friendly lifestyle.

I am conducting research on the separation technology ofvaluable metals using mineral processing for unused resources.
Combination of surface analysis and information technology
with mineral processing technology is also investigating.

Akita University ■Graduate School of International Resource Sciences
Starting Year: 2020

Keywords
キーワード

1. Woody biomass 2. Green devices /Green processes 3. Eco-lifestyle creation

1. Mineral processing 2. Extractive metallurgy 3. Surface analysis

Yuji Nashimoto Assistant Professor

Naoki Kawano Lecturer

My research interest is a development of a cell culture
platform to engineer organ-mimic models. In TI-FRIS
project, we develop electrochemical sensors and scanningprobe microscopy for the new cell culture platform.

Phosphors for radiation measurements have gained attention
for various applications such as medical devices, resource
exploration and security. In this program, I will developtransparent ceramic phosphors for radiation measurements.

Tohoku University ■Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Starting Year: 2020

Keywords

1. Biomimetics 2. Electrochemistry 3. Polymer science

Tohoku University ■Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Starting Year: 2020

Tohoku University ■Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Starting Year: 2020

Keywords

1. Molecular simulations 2. Ion transport 3. Self-assembly of proteins /polymers

Akita University ■Graduate School of Engineering Sciences
Starting Year: 2021

Keywords
キーワード

1. Microphysiological system 2. Scanning probe microscopy 3. Microfluidic device09

1. Scintillator 2. Dosimeter 3.Transparent ceramics

Hiroyuki Matsui Associate Professor

Daitaro Ishikawa Associate Professor

We develop ultraflexible electronic devices using organic
semiconductors and digital printing such as inkjet. Suchdevices can visualize the distribution of temperatures,pressures and electric fields on soft and curved surfaces.

The aim of this study is to develop the evaluation method of
structural state of food / material polymers due to the effects ofexternal perturbations in the processes using spectroscopic
technology and complementarily X-ray analysis, thermal analysis andcomponent analysis. The results of this study will lead to propose
new spectroscopic technology and to develop new materials.

Yamagata University ■Graduate School of Organic Materials Science
Starting Year: 2020

Keywords

Fukushima University ■Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Starting Year: 2020

1. Organic transistors 2. Organic electronics 3. Applied physics

Keywords

Takao Oto Assistant Professor

Shogo Nishiyama Associate Professor

In t hi s re s earc h, by d e e pl y u n d e r s t and ing o ptic alcharacterizations for nanolasers fabricated by the introductionof semiconductor and/or metal nanostructures, we will develop
nanolasers with low threshold power and multi-functionality
and promote their new applications for various research fields.

My primary research is in observational astronomy andastrophysics. By observing stars, star clusters and galaxies,
I want to understand how they formed, how they evolved
and what physical laws govern the formation and evolutionof them.

Yamagata University ■Graduate School of Science and Engineering
Starting Year: 2020

Keywords

Miyagi University of Education ■Faculty of Education
Starting Year: 2020

1. Nanolasers 2. Nanostructure physics 3. Semiconductor optical devices

Keywords

Sho Kobayashi Associate Professor

Yamagata University ■Faculty of Agriculture, Food, Life and Environmental Sciences
Starting Year: 2021
Glutathione (GSH) is most major endogenous antioxidant
and depletion of GSH induce cell death called as ferroptosis.
In this study, to elucidate the mechanism of ferroptosis, I
address to search for functional ingredients derived fromfoods that affect the GSH redox system.

Keywords

1. Spectroscopy 2. Imaging 3. Structure-property relationship

1. Glutathione 2. Ferroptosis 3. Functional ingredients10

1. Infrared astronomy 2. Black hole 3. Stellar spectroscopyDirections
Seiryo Campus
Sendai Municipal Subway Tozai Line :Get off at Aobayama Station andwalk 4 minutes from North Exit 1

Tohoku University Hospital

Hirose River

Cars and taxis :Approximately 15 minutes from
Sendai Station

Sendai Nishi Road
(Aobayama Tunnel)

Kita-Yobancho Station
Sendai City Hall
Sendai Civic Auditorium

Miyagi Museum of Art

ay

Li

Kotodai Koen Station
Mitsukoshi

Kawauchi Station

neKawauchiCampusHirose-Dori Station
International Center Station
Aoba-dori Ichibancho Station

Omachi Nishikoen Station

Aobayama Campus

SendaiSubway Station
Site of Sendai Castle

Map around Tohoku University Aobayama Campus(West Area)
Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences,
Tohoku University

Tohoku Initiative for
Fostering Global Researchers forInterdisciplinary Sciences

SS30

JR Sendai Station

Sendai International Center

Aobayama Station

Subway Namboku Line

bw
Su

i
za
To

Miyagi Prefectural Government

Katahira
CampusArchitectural
Laboratory
Aobayama
Gymnasium

Cyberscience Center

Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Tohoku University

North1

Tohoku Initiative for Fostering Global
Researchers for Interdisciplinary Sciences

Graduate School ofInformation Science
International Research Institute ofDisaster Science

Sendai Municipal Subway
Tozai Line Aobayama Station

Graduate School ofEnvironmental Studies

South1

6-3 Aramaki aza Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578,
Japan
TEL : +81-22-795-5765 ／ E-mail : ti-fris@fris.tohoku.ac.jp
Website : https://www.ti-fris.tohoku.ac.jp/en/

Publication Date: February, 2022