On January 23th, 2026, the kickoff event for the Young Researchers Academy (RRA) was held.
The RRA aims to develop young researchers with specialized, interdisciplinary, and international expertise in collaboration with the human resource development framework of the Institute of Photonics and Human Health Frontier (IPHF), a core research base in the “Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS)”.
In fiscal year 2025, 10 young researchers were selected. In addition to financial support for their research activities, they will receive comprehensive support for up to five years, including top-level mentoring and help with research grant applications from URAs (Research Administrators).
The event was attended by Professor Matsuki Hitoshi*, Director of the RRA, the first batch of RRA-supported members and their mentors, as well as other key members supporting the operation of the RRA.
Professor Matsuki began the event with the opening remarks expressing his hope that the RRA will deepen horizontal connections, create new interdisciplinary research themes, and advance to an Independent Principal Investigator (PI) position. Professor Taketani Yutaka**, Deputy Director of the RRA, then explained the background and objectives of the RRA. He encouraged the mentors to support the promotion of fusion and collaboration within the IPHF, the RRA, and Tokushima University, as well as to support laboratory management and independence. He also called on the RRA-supported members to actively visualize the RRA's results, disseminating them both within and outside Tokushima University and laying the foundation for sustainable research activities.
Afterwards, each mentor introduced themselves, followed by a presentation by the RRA-supported members, deepening mutual understanding between the mentors and the RRA-supported members. Additionally, Associate Professor Inuki Eriko of the Center for Research Administration & Collaboration explained the support content and system.
Finally, Professor Yasutomo Koji, Chief Research Officer (CRO) and IS-PI of the IPHF gave the closing remarks, encouraging the participants to "write papers that will serve as your business cards which tell the story of who you are."
With this kick-off, RRA activities will begin in earnest.
*Vice President and Executive Director for Research
**IS-PI (Initiative Supervisor) of IPHF
A group photo of RRA-supported members and their mentors
