Name: Professor Hiroshi Umakoshi

Position: Bio-Inspired Chemical Engineering Lab. (P.I.)
Div. of Chemical Engineering (Vice Chair)
Grad. Sch. of Engineering Science (Vice Dean/University Counciler)

Current Affiliation:

Div. of Chemical Engineering, The University of Osaka, Osaka, Japan

Education:

Ph.D., Div. of Chem. Eng., Grad. Sch. of Eng. Sci., Univ. of Osaka, 1997

Professor Hiroshi Umakoshi is a distinguished figure in the field of chemical engineering, based at the Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work in Bio-Inspired Chemical Engineering (B-ICE), a field that seeks to emulate the efficiency and specificity of biological processes to solve complex engineering challenges.

At the center of Professor Umakoshi’s research is a deep fascination with membrane systems. His work focuses on engineering liposomes and lipid nanoparticles to create "condensed phase systems." These systems are designed to integrate multi-step molecular recognition and conversion, mimicking nature's designs for applications ranging from high-efficiency chemical processes to medical breakthroughs. His research has had a significant impact on the development of advanced drug and vaccine delivery systems, including technologies similar to those utilized in COVID-19 vaccines.

Beyond his technical achievements, Professor Umakoshi is a strong advocate for international collaboration and "transboundary" research. He has fostered long-standing global partnerships, notably with the University of California, Davis, to promote academic exchange and develop the next generation of chemical engineers with a global mindset.

His research has generated more than 400 articles in and over 3,500 citations, and his h-index is 31 according to Google Scholar database.

Selected Awards:

• Osaka University Award (Education) (Gr.) (2022)
• Osaka University Award (Education) (Personal) (2019)
• The Outstanding Research Award of Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (2019)
• Presidential Awards in Osaka University (Senior) (2015)
• Presidential Awards for Encouragement in Osaka University (Young) (2014)
• Best Presentation Award of APBioChEC (2009)
• The Young Researcher Award of Society of Membrane, Japan (2009)
• The Young Researcher Award of Society of Membrane, Japan (2001)

Administrative/Leadership Posts

1. Councilor, Univ. of Osaka (Selected from Graduate School of Engineering Science), 2025 - Present
2. Director, Center for International Exchange, Society of Chemical Engineering, Japan (SCEJ), 2024 - Present
3. Chief, Committee of USA (AIChE) and Canada (CSCE), Center for International Exchange, SCEJ, 2022 - Present
4. Vice President, The Society of Separation Process Engineers, Japan (SSPEJ), 2021 - Present
5. Vice Dean of Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka Univ., 2021 - Present
6. Councilor, The Society of Membrane, Japan, 2014 - Present
7. Professor in Univ. of Osaka (Bio-Inspired Chemical Engineering Lab.) 2012 - Present
8. Head of Division of Chem. Eng. (2016 2017) / Head of Dept. of Chem. Sci. & Eng. (2017 2018) / Head of Division of Chem. Eng.(2021-2022)