Shiseido announces winners of its science research grant

Now in its 11th edition, the grant, which is exclusively awarded to females, pledges to "support female researchers who will play a leading role in the future and broadening of perspectives for the next generation”.​

What is the research grant?​

A ceremony to recognise the work and achievements attained by the ten selected candidates will take place on 6th July 2018. Each successful candidate will receive 1 mn yen (€7,757) from Shiseido as part of their recognition.

Out of the 126 applicants, each year, ten are chosen as recipients of the science grant. This recognition and award contribute towards, and the development of, science and technology.

In its 11th year, the event entitled 'Shiseido Female Researcher Science Grant' continues as the Japanese leader drives towards its continuing efforts to expand research areas beyond cosmetics-related studies. Available to scientists engaging in research activities in all natural science fields, the grant promotes various research areas.

In support of this industry-progressive aim, Shiseido’s application process does not set any age restrictions, nor does it require a letter of recommendation from a professor.

The research grant​

In 2018, winners of the research grant are permitted to use the grant award for “a wider range of purposes”​ that extend to “support in their particular life stage”​, demonstrating Shiseido's emphasis on research advancement.

These funds can be used to cover research expenses including the purchase of goods and materials, along with conference-related expenses or any other purposes that support these researchers to continue their scientific efforts without impacting their personal lives.

“Winning an award of this grant contributes to women moving up a career ladder in and outside of academia,”​ Shiseido emphasised.

It’s 11th year​

A total of 100 researchers have gained the accolade prior to the 11th edition of Shiseido's grant. Nearly half of these past recipients have been promoted, enabling them to expand upon their existing areas of research.

“Going forward, Shiseido will continue to support outstanding female researchers in pursuing their research activities and contribute to nurturing female researchers who will play a leading role in science,”​ the company commented in a recent press release.

Female win​

Based on the Survey of Research and Development 2016 conducted by Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in Japan, the number of female researchers in the country reached a record high in 2017, amounting to 15.7% of the country’s total researchers.

While a record high percentage in Japan, Shiseido reveals that this is significantly behind Iceland (45.6%), which ranked first, and the US coming in 14th place (34.3%), according to the Gender Equality 2017 whitepaper by Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office of Japan.

Shiseido states that after recognising the “disparity”​ between men and women in the scientific research fields, Shiseido set up its Female Researcher Science Grant initiative in 2007. Its purpose, which still remains today, is to assist “female researchers specialising in natural science who are aiming to be leaders in their respective fields”.​

This year's winners​

The ten researchers awarded the 2018 research grant are: 

• Aiko Ishiki, M.D., Ph.D.Department of Geriatric Medicine and Neuroimaging, Tohoku University Hospital
  Assistant Professor
• Ayako Fukunaka, Ph.D.
  Lab of Developmental Biology ＆ Metabolism, Institute for Molecular ＆ Cellular Regulation, Gunma University
  Research Assistant
• Ayano Chiba, Ph.D.
  Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University
  Lecturer
• Kyoko Hida, D.D.S, Ph.D.
  Department of Oral Pathology and Biology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University
  Professor
• Mamiko Asano, Ph.D.
  Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University
  Researcher
• Mihoko Maruyama, Ph.D.
  Osaka University, Graduate School of Engineering
  Kyoto Prefectural University, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences
  JSPS Research Fellow, RPD
  Specially Appointed Associate Professor (Part-time)
• Momoko Deura, Ph.D.
  Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo
  Assistant Professor
• Sayaka Miyabe, Ph.D.
  Course of Materials Science ＆ Engineering, Division of Materials ＆ Manufacturing Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University
  Assistant Professor
• Sayaka Sugiyama, Ph.D.
  Niigata University, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences
  Associate Professor
• Seira Morimune-Moriya, Ph.D.
  Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Engineering, Chubu University
  Senior Assistant Professor