Professor, Keio University School of Medicine
Masato YASUI, M.D., Ph.D.
Born in Tokyo in 1964
Education and job history
Graduated from the Keio University School of Medicine
Passed the National Medical Practitioners Qualifying Examination (1989)
Assistant in the Neonatal Unit, Maternal and Perinatal Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University (1992)
Graduate school doctoral course at the Karolinska Instituted in Sweden (1993)
Doctor of Philosophy (1997)
Lecturer at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the United States (1997)
Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the United States (2001)
Professor of Pharmacology, Keio University School of Medicine (2006)
Specialisms
Pharmacology, Pediatrics
Involvement in this research
I was attracted by the corporate slogan of “Suntory: Bringing Water to Life!”
Hobbies and interests
I started doing triathlons after a casual talk while out drinking. It has three events, so it is perfect for someone like me who gets bored easily. I started doing hot yoga 2 years ago. At first there were few men doing it and I was a little hesitated, but now it is an exercise that I cannot live without. Perhaps I notice a hastening in the flow of water through my body? What I really enjoy is going for a swim straight after hot yoga!
Associate Professor, Keio University School of Medicine
Yoshiro SOHMA, M.D., Ph.D.
Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1960
Education and job history
Graduated Osaka Medical College (1987)
Graduated Osaka Medical College Graduate School (1991)
Research Associate in the Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK (1993)
Assistant Professor and Lecturer, Department of Physiology, Osaka Medical College (1993)
Visiting Professor, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, USA (2002)
Principle Investigator, John M. Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri-Columbia (2004)
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Keio University School of Medicine (2008)
Specialisms
Membrane transport physiology, Molecular physiology and pharmacology of ion channels, Computer simulations in the medical physiology field
Involvement in this research
I have been working on membrane transport physiology since I was a graduate school student, and 7 years ago I was invited to a workshop on water biology organized by Professor Yasui.
Hobbies and interests
Flyfishing
Trout are cold water fish and, in Japan, they live in cold upstream water running in high mountainous area. In the rivers dynamically changing their currents, trout stay at a particular point where they can catch their baits, aquatic insects, flowing down the stream with minimum energy consumption. To catch good fish, we have to ‘read’ the current, predict where the fish stay and feed in the river, and then cast a fly to the trout. Reading the water current is one of the most important part for the successful flyfishing. Then how does water flow across epithelial cells filled with a number of various organelles? Reading the water current is my task whether in my hobby or in my research.
Project Assistant Professor , Keio University School of Medicine
Kojic Dusan, Ph.D.
Born in Belgrade, Serbia in 1974
Education and job history
Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Belgrade, Serbia (2007-2011)
Specialisms
Near infrared spectroscopy
Involvement in this research
Water research is intimate to many aspects of life. It enables me to stay connected with everyday issues that concern the society by contemplating various applications of water-based approach to solving problems.
Hobbies and interests
My hobby is practice of various sports. I enjoy learning and performing new types movements that are present in different activities: from yoga to running to martial arts, human body performs mastery when it adapts to novelty, and various activities improve different aspects of mind-body coordination and integration.
Instructor , Keio University School of Medicine
Sae TANAKA, Ph.D.
Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1986
Education and job history
University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science Department of Biological Sciences,
Doctoral course 2015/03 Completed
Specialisms
Cell biology, Molecular biology
Involvement in this research
I had studied desiccation tolerance of water bears (tardigrade) in my doctoral course. Most organisms cannot live without water, but water bears possess the amazing ability to enter an almost completely dehydrated state. They display “Life without water”, as if disproving a common sense “Water is essential for life”. Once you encounter a water bear somewhere, you must consider novel questions, such as “What roles do water play in cell?” or “Can other substance substitute for water?”
Water is everywhere and it is interesting substance, but it is not easy to analyze the property. When I have searched for technics to analyze water, I found Aquaphotomics. To understand the dynamics of water molecules in solutions and in living organisms, I decided to be involved in Aquaphotomics. .
Hobbies and interests
I love zoos and aquariums. I search for a new one and visit on a trip. From a child, I love touching the animals. Now, I enjoy observing the behavior of various animals through glass because I acquired plenty of knowledge about animals through the study of zoology at university. My latest favorite animals are finless porpoise and laughing kookaburra.
Deputy Senior General Manager, Suntory Global Innovation Center
Toshihiko ASHIKARI, Ph.D.
Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1956
Education and job history
Graduated from Department of Fermentation Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka University (1979)
Graduated from Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering (1981)
Joined Suntory (1981)
Suntory Applied Biology Laboratory (2001)
Director of Suntory Advanced Technology Research Institute (2001)
President of Florigene Ltd. (Australia) (2004)
Senior General Manager of Suntory Holdings Institute for Water Science (2009)
Suntory Global Innovation Center (2014)
Specialisms
Genetic engineering, Fermentation technology
Involvement in this research
As I work for a drink manufacturer, I have a greater interest in learning how water incorporated into the body circulates in the body, and behaves in the body.
Hobbies and interests
I enjoy plaing golf, reading, and watching TV dramas.
My score in golf used to reflect my mental state at the time. These days, my handicap is going up with age and golf has become a barometer of the aging process.
I mainly read suspense novels and science non-fiction, but I read a lot less these days as my vision is getting worse and so is my ability to concentrate. My favorite author is Keigo Higashino.
I often watch foreign dramas. If you like suspense, I recommend “The Mentalist,” “Person of Interest,” and “Elementary.”
Institute for Water Science , Suntory Global Innovation Center
Keiko MIZUMA
Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1964
Education and job history
Graduated from School of Humanities, Kwansei Gakuin University (1987)
Joined Suntory, Basic Research Institute (1987)
Liquor Development Department (1996)
Suntory Holdings Institute for Water Science (2011)
Institute for Water Science, Suntory Global Innovation Center (2013)
Specialisms
Taste science
Involvement in this research
I have previously been involved in research into tasting and appreciation of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. I would like to use that experience to further research into water and health.
Hobbies and interests
My hobby is watching movies. I prefer rewatching old favorites and drifting into that world rather than going to see new ones.
I also like swimming. When I have time, I swim about 2 km. What I really enjoy is being in contact with the water, forgetting everything and talking to nobody. This also about “water,” isn’t it?
Senior General Manager, Institute for Water Science , Suntory Global Innovation Center
Reiji WATANABE
Born in Okayama Prefecture in 1961
Education and job history
Graduated from Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University (1984)
Joined Suntory, Production Technology Research Institute (1984)
Technical Director of Tonegawa Brewery (2000)
Technical Director of Kyushu Kumamoto Plant (2006)
Vice-President, Suntory China Kunshan Brewery (2010)
Senior General Manager, Institute for Water Science, Suntory Global Innovation Center (2014)
Specialisms
General field of hydrology, Beer brewing
Involvement in this research
I would like to use this project to deepen our understanding of the water cycle in the body and reveal a little more about the relationship between water and human health.
Hobbies and interests
I am very into golf. My happiest times are spent practicing in the morning, playing a round in the afternoon and evening while reflecting to myself, or spending a day off practicing. I dream of playing at courses in Scotland.
Institute for Water Science , Suntory Global Innovation Center
Shinjiro YANO, Ph.D.
Born in Fukui Prefecture in 1983
Education and job history
M.S., Doctoral Program in Geoenvironmental Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba (2007)
Joined Suntory, Institute for Water Science (2007)
Institute for Water Science, Suntory Global Innovation Center (2013)
Obtained doctorate at Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo (2015)
Specialisms
Hydrology
Involvement in this research
I have been involved in research into water cycle at a global scale and its use by humans. “Drinking water” is the most basic behavior related to water. I volunteered for this project since I am very interested in what the behavior affects and what it means for human.
Hobbies and interests
I play the piano with my daughter and also enjoy winter sports like skating and skiing. Recently, I have gotten interested in bouldering, and I am looking for someone to go with.
Institute for Water Science , Suntory Global Innovation Center
Suguru NAKAJIMA
Born in Toyama Prefecture in 1987
Education and job history
Graduated from the Tohoku University School of Agricultural Science (2010)
Completed a Master's Course in Environmental Science at Tohoku University Graduate School of Agricultural Bioresource Sciences (2012)
Joined Suntory, Frontier Center for Value (2012)
Suntory Global Innovation Center (2013)
Specialisms
Protein research, Chemistry of natural substances, Analytical chemistry
Involvement in this research
I want to use techniques such as instrumental analysis and statistical analysis to understand water dynamics. I am hard at work studying every day!
Hobbies and interests
My hobbies are cooking, eating, and drinking delicious food and drinks. My mother used to be a nutritionist and she taught me how to cook and I started to enjoy drinking when I was a student. These days, I am strongly conscious of a theme of deliciousness in my work and in my food. I think everyone has a moment of eye-opening experiences during cooking or eating and drinking. Recently I have been impressed by a combination of sous vide-cooked roast beef and wine. I enjoy such moments every day!
Institute for Water Science , Suntory Global Innovation Center
Yumi NAKAMURA, Ph.D.
Born in Ishikawa Prefecture in 1982
Education and job history
Graduated from the department of Food Science, division of Human Life and Environmental Scienses, Nara Women’s University (2005)
Completed a Master's Course in Humanities and Sciences, Nara Women's University. (2006)
Completed a Doctor's Course in Humanities and Sciences, Nara Women's University. (2008)
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Laboratory of Applied Microbiology and Biochemistry, Nara Women’s University (2008-2009)
Instructor,department of Pharmacology School of Medicine, Keio University.(2009-2010)
Research Fellow, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri-Columbia. (2010-2012)
Joined Suntory, Frontier Center for Value (2012)
Suntory Global Innovation Center (2013)
Specialisms
Food science
Involvement in this research
I had been involved in research into taste perception and ion transport because my concern is about vital response after eating and drinking. I would like to take advantage of these experiences to create new value by revealing the behavior of internal “water,” which is essential to life and the main component of the body.
Hobbies and interests
I have been enjoying yoga for about 3 years. Even though I started doing yoga as a way of calming my body and mind, but recently I have got into a more active course, in which yoga is combined with activities such as kick-boxercise, perhaps because I used to do karate. Each time I sweat a lot and drink a lot of water, it reminds me of the water flowing through my body.