This article introduces the activities of Associate Professor Manabu Inutsuka, the first endowed chair faculty member of the university, who was appointed to the Waseda Center for a Carbon Neutral Society on September 21, 2023.
In front of the laboratory of Associate Professor Inutsuka, Building No. 51, Waseda University
Associate Professor Inutsuka’s research field is polymer chemistry. In particular, with his research focusing on “polymer chemistry for resource circulation,” he promotes research and educational activities in collaboration with his host faculty member, Professor Chiharu Tokoro of the Department of Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Creative Science and Engineering.
Regarding research supervision of students and other related activities, he accepts students studying at the Department of Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Creative Science and Engineering, which is a graduate school/department that involves research fields close to his specialized field.
In addition, Building No. 51, where the laboratory of Assistant Professor Inutsuka (JX Nippon Mining & Metals Endowment Chair) is located, is also home to the faculty members of the Department of Resources and Environmental Engineering.
After taking up his post, Associate Professor Inutsuka was immediately selected for the 2023 JST Strategic Basic Research Program CREST, in which Professor Tokoro serves as the Principal Investigator, and he has successfully started his research activities as the main Co-Principal Investigator for the program. He focuses on conducting research that contributes to carbon neutrality, such as Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research projects.
Associate Professor Inutsuka is also in charge of delivering lectures for the modules “Research on Environmental Purification and Resources Processing” and “Environmental Interface engineering” offered at the Department of Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Creative Science and Engineering, provides research supervision to students, and is committed to educational activities on a daily basis.
Additionally, due to his status as an “Endowment Chair” faculty member, Associate Professor Inutsuka facilitates the collaboration with JX Metals Corporation, the donor company, and is actively engaged in activities such as conducting a tour of the Saganoseki Smelter & Refinery in Oita Prefecture immediately after taking the position.
JX Metals Corporation Saganoseki Smelter & Refinery
Inside the Smelter & Refinery
Amidst his busy schedule, Associate Professor Inutsuka commented on his future aspirations as follows: “Based on my original field of expertise—polymer chemistry—I am engaged in research that leads to carbon neutrality and resource recycling. I have many opportunities to interact with researchers from a wide range of fields, including those in the disciplines related to social sciences, as well as people from companies and government agencies, so I would like to absorb a variety of knowledge and design more exciting research.” His further success is greatly expected.
As has been described above, faculty members appointed to the Waseda Center for a Carbon Neutral Society not only promote research activities that contribute to carbon neutrality, but also carry out educational and research activities in collaboration with graduate schools that provide research supervision to students.
In addition, these faculty members are required to play a multi-disciplinary role, such as promoting industry-academia collaboration activities with donor companies and other companies.
