Alumni Spotlight: From Pesticide Sensors to Atmospheric Chemistry
Dr. Masao Gen (B.S. ’10, M.S. ’11, Ph.D. ’14, EmpatLab, TUAT)
Dr. Masao Gen, who completed his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. training in EMPAT Lab at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), published a reflective retrospective in Aerosol Research (Vol. 40, No. 2, 2025) describing his academic journey from aerosol engineering to atmospheric chemistry.
His story illustrates one of the central ideas of our research group:
Research is not only about finding answers. It is about learning how to enter unknown problems. 研究とは、答えを見つけることだけではありません。未知の問題にどう取り組むかを学ぶことでもあるのです。
Career Trajectory
| Period | Position | Institution | Focus / Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–2014 | B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Student | TUAT (EMPAT Lab) | Aerosol engineering, submicron particles, gas-solid conversion processes. Received the Iinoya Award (2012). |
| 2014–2016 | Postdoctoral Researcher and Assistant Professor | Tohoku University | Surface chemistry, polymer transport, and physical chemistry phenomena. |
| 2018–2020 | Postdoctoral Fellow | Hong Kong City University | Atmospheric chemistry research with Prof. Chak K. Chan; major transition toward independent research. |
| 2020–2024 | Assistant Professor | Kanazawa Univ., Tohoku Univ., Tokyo Tech. | Established independent research directions in aerosol and atmospheric chemistry. |
| 2024–Present | Associate Professor | Chuo University | Principal Investigator (PI), Environmental Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory. |
Starting Point: Aerosol Engineering and the Iinoya Award
During his doctoral studies at TUAT, Dr. Gen worked on aerosol engineering and particle processing. One project focused on the development of a portable pesticide-residue detection system, research that ultimately led to the Iinoya Award, one of the “most prestigious” researcher awards in aerosol science in Japan.
In his retrospective article, he recalls spending more than a month preparing a five-minute award presentation. Slide materials were revised over twenty times through repeated discussions and feedback. Looking back, he considers this experience one of the foundations of his scientific communication skills.
This experience reinforced an important lesson:
Rigorous preparation is often more valuable than the presentation itself. 入念な準備は、プレゼンテーションそのものよりも価値があることが多いです。
Beyond One Topic
Although his doctoral work centered on aerosol engineering, Dr. Gen did not remain confined to a single research topic.
After graduation, he moved into surface chemistry, polymer-related phenomena, environmental science, and eventually atmospheric chemistry.
According to his own reflection, advice received during his graduate studies encouraged him not to become overly attached to a specific material or application. Instead, he learned to focus on underlying principles such as:
- transport phenomena,
- aerosol dynamics,
- particle–surface interactions,
- and scientific problem-solving.
These transferable skills allowed him to enter new fields with confidence.
An International Turning Point
A major turning point came through his postdoctoral appointment in Hong Kong.
Working with Prof. Chak K. Chan, a leading researcher in atmospheric chemistry, exposed him to a new scientific community and research culture.
This international experience not only expanded his research expertise but also helped him develop the independence and confidence required to establish his own research group.
Dr. Gen later described this period as a key catalyst in becoming an independent researcher.
Research as a Learning Process
The significance of Dr. Gen’s journey lies not simply in changing research fields.
Rather, it demonstrates that:
- research topics may change,
- technologies may change,
- research funding priorities may change,
but the ability to learn, adapt, and enter unfamiliar areas remains valuable throughout an academic career.
Looking back, the pesticide detection project that began during his doctoral studies did not determine his future research topic. Instead, it provided a platform for developing the mindset and skills that enabled him to tackle increasingly broader challenges. 振り返ると、彼の博士課程時代に始まった農薬検出プロジェクトは、将来の研究テーマを決定づけたわけではありませんでした。むしろ、それは、より広範な課題に取り組むことを可能にした考え方とスキルを育むための土台となったのです。
Today, as an Associate Professor leading research in atmospheric chemistry, Dr. Gen’s career represents a continuation of the same learning process that began during his years at EMPAT Lab.
Key Messages for Prospective Students
Dr. Gen’s journey demonstrates that research training in EMPAT Lab is not intended to lock students into a narrow specialty.
Instead, students develop:
- the ability to formulate questions 質問を構築する能力,
- strong presentation and communication skills 強いプレゼンテーションおよびコミュニケーション能力,
- experience in interdisciplinary collaboration 学際的な協働の経験,
- confidence in entering unfamiliar research areas 馴染みのない研究分野に踏み込む自信,
- and a foundation for leadership in academia, industry, and society 学界・産業界・社会におけるリーダーシップの基盤.
Mastering transport phenomena and particle science is not an endpoint. It is a foundation for lifelong learning and innovation.
This page is based on a retrospective article written by Dr. Masao Gen and published in Aerosol Research (2025). The text above is an independently prepared summary and interpretation by EMPAT Lab and does not reproduce the original article.
"Particles & Transfer" Lab. 微粒子・移動現象 