Waseda University established the Waseda Research Award in 2014 to promote innovative research at the university and disseminate its results around the world. The award honors scholars spearheading large-scale research projects, as well as emerging researchers whose work has had significant impact abroad. The award has two categories: Large-Scale Research Project and High-Impact Publication. Recipients of the award receive a certificate and a prize of 500,000 yen for the large-scale research project catgory, and 300,000 yen for the high-impact publication category.
Below, we proudly present the recipients of the 2023 Waseda Research Award.
Recipients of the 2023 Waseda Research Award
Large-Scale Research Project Category
*in alphabetical order
- Tetsuya KAWANISHI
Dependable seamless access networks for cyber-physical systems dedicated to public Infrastructure - Yasushi SEKINE
Development of innovative multi-element nano-alloy catalytic processes to realize energy-saving regional resource utilization
High-Impact Publication Category
*in alphabetical order
Michael ANNEAR
Michael Annear conducts research that examines the effects of international sporting events on the physical activity and health of individuals, including middle-aged and older adults, and the impacts on local and national health policies. He clearly identified the limitations and challenges of previous studies through a systematic review and then used appropriate methods to evaluate the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as a case study, reporting his results in a timely manner. This approach is both original and significant. Considering his ongoing formation of an international network, for example, through continued publication as the lead author of numerous peer-reviewed English research papers, his active promotion of collaborative research with overseas scholars, and his role as an editor for international journals, we evaluate him as possessing a very high capability for disseminating international research. Regarding social impact, his research is expected to provide suggestions for evaluating how events affect sports and health promotion, which are positioned as policy objectives. Based on these points, we find him a worthy recipient of the Waseda University Research Award (for International Research Dissemination).
Edgar SIMO-SERRA
Edgar Simo-Serra has made outstanding contributions to the field of computer vision and graphics. Of particular note, he consistently and seamlessly integrates various aspects of artificial intelligence and computer vision, continuing to achieve innovative results over two-dimensional to complex three-dimensional domains. Over the past five years, he has continuously published papers in prestigious international journals and at international conferences. His papers have been cited many times, indicating high international regard for their impact and value. He has conducted many research projects in collaboration with overseas researchers, and we expect that he will further expand his international joint research and networks in the future. It is also noteworthy that not only is he a pioneer in his field, but his work has also significantly impacted other fields, such as colorizing monochrome images to allow the retrieval of forgotten experiences from the past. His research is thus characterized by its originality and high academic and social impact, making him one of the leading researchers worldwide.
Yuki NAKAMICHI
Yuki Nakamichi has accumulated significant research achievements in the field of criminal law based on comparative legal studies with various countries, including theory of punishment, norm theory, and criminal legislation. He has also been actively disseminating his work in German-language books and journals. In the field of criminal law, Japan has traditionally adopted German law in a one-sided manner, and there has been little international dissemination from Japanese researchers. In that context, Nakamichi’s research has a high capability for international dissemination, has attracted attention, and is highly regarded in the academic community. In addition, Nakamichi serves as a director of the Humboldt Association of Japan, working tirelessly to promote academic exchange between Japan and Germany. He has also established networks with researchers from many countries, not just Germany, actively inviting researchers to Japan and organizing international symposiums. His leadership in exchanges with overseas researchers is also noteworthy, and we expect international collaborative research in criminal law to further develop with Nakamichi as a pivotal figure.
Antonio BENASAGLIO BERLUCCHI
The papers published by Antonio Benasaglio Berlucchi cover critical topics in the field of political science, including populism, party competition, and democratic decline. He has been published in major journals in the field of comparative political science, including Party Politics and Democratization. Moreover, his work utilizes quantitative analysis based on deep insights into Japan and Italy, demonstrating significant academic originality. For example, in a recent paper analyzing democratic decline, he used the latest data on populism to dissect and analyze mechanisms of democratic decline that researchers have previously overlooked empirically, providing important insights. Also, his paper analyzing the authoritarian values of Japanese voters and the characteristics of voters supporting populist ruling parties in Italy sheds light on cutting-edge topics like populism and democratic decline. His work is thus highly original and competitive at a global scale, demonstrating strong international research dissemination capabilities in the field of political science.
Ryo MIZUUCHI
Ryo Mizuuchi used an experimental evolution system with artificial RNA to demonstrate that a single gene sequence (RNA replicase) can differentiate into diverse gene groups, forming complex replication networks where they influence each other’s proliferation. This indicates that a complex interdependent system, akin to a pseudo-ecosystem, can self-generate from simple molecules, providing vital insights for understanding the evolution and complexification of life. The unique experimental system presents globally unrivaled advancement and originality in this field. As lead author, he has published many papers that are highly regarded internationally, one of which was listed as one of the 25 most notable papers of 2022 in Nature Communications. He has actively disseminated his research findings through numerous invited lectures at international conferences, establishing his position as one of Japan’s leading young researchers. His series of studies that reconstructed complex interdependent networks akin to pseudo-ecosystems in molecular-level evolutionary experiments are critically important foundational research for understanding the mechanisms of life’s origin and evolution. We expect these studies to greatly influence future research directions in this field, and to significantly contribute to the broader pursuit of answering the fundamental question, “What is life?”
Kazuma YAMASHIRO
In the field of civil law, Kazuma Yamashiro has accumulated significant research achievements based on comparative legal studies of French law, focusing on contract, consumer, and adult guardianship law, and also disseminated his work in French-language books and journals. There has been a recent increase in Japanese civil law research being internationally disseminated in French, and Yamashiro’s international work stands out in terms of both quality and quantity, earning high acclaim in the academic community. Additionally, he has established multiple networks with French researchers. He both invites French researchers to Japan and participates as a speaker at symposiums in France, playing a central role in academic exchange between Japan and France. In Japan, revisions to consumer and adult guardianship law are currently an important issue, and we expect the research of Yamashiro, who is well-versed in the legal situations of both Japan and France and has high ability for international dissemination and networking, to significantly impact the resolutions of these issues.
