Atsushi Urakawa wins the prestigious “Japan Academy Medal” after previously receiving the JSPS award
The Japan Academy has announced that Atsushi Urakawa has been awarded the “Japan Academy Medal”. This award is presented to 6 eminent researchers who have received the JSPS Award (presented by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) that Urakawa received last month. A total of 25 researchers from all disciplines received the JSPS Award in this round.
The prize is awarded for the development of various CO2 catalytic conversion technologies and the methodologies to study catalytic reactions while catalysts are functional, for example under high pressure and high temperature conditions (so-called operando conditions) to understand the unique states of catalyst materials and active chemicals species types involved in reactions.
The prize is highly prestigious and one of the highest recognition in academia (in all fields; not only in science) in Japan. It recognizes relatively young researchers with rich creativity, superlative research ability and outstanding promises to be one of the global leaders in their field of research. The Japan Academy and the JSPS acknowledge Urakawas notable contributions to the catalysis science and anticipates continuing his role in innovating and leading the field.
Atsushi Urakawa:
“This prize means a lot for the importance of our research in generation of new knowledge and methodologies. I could not achieve this recognition alone and I sincerely thank my past and current colleagues for providing quality and passion into our research. Furthermore, receiving this prize requires great supports from various bodies in Japan. It seems a miracle and is just an invaluable honour as I am out of Japan for more than 20 years after my bachelor study to start my master study at TU Delft.
I have excellent and stimulating collaborators and friends at universities, research institutes and companies in Japan. Our ties might become stronger by this recognition. I will continue organising events together, bring excellent researchers from Japan (and from here to there) and deliver talks in Japan for the benefit of advancing science and education of next generation researchers here and there.
The award ceremony is usually held in February in the presence of representative royal family members. Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled for the first time due to the pandemic. In any case I was requested to share some information about my research with them. It is very encouraging to experience their eagerness and interests to learn about the cutting-edge research of the awardees.”
Check <link recipients of the japan academy medal>here the recipients of the Japan Academy Medal
