Mr. Hidetoshi Okuzaki has been joined Dr. Markus Hütter lab (Eindhoven University of Technology) . He plans to conduct joint research on site until around August 2026.

Dr. Shinji Noguchi has been appointed as a Postdoc at David A. Weitz lab (Harverd University). He plans to conduct joint research on site until around March 2026.

Professor Li Xiang was selected as one of the Excellent Teachers for AY2025 at Hokkaido University. 李 响 教授 Subject: English Seminar “Intermediate: English Practice for Life Science” See the following page for details (in Japanese) .https://www.high.hokudai.ac.jp/class-questionnaire/

The Gel Workshop in Hokkaido was held over three days, from August 5 to 7, 2026, at Otaru Shizen no Mori. A memorial picture at the workshop The program featured student research presentations as well as invited lectures by Professor Byeong-Su Kim of Yonsei University and Professor Li Xiang, a member of this project. The student presentation sessions were accompanied by lively question-and-answer exchanges, providing valuable opportunities for participants to engage in in-dep

Division of Biological Sciences (Macromolecular Functions), School of Science held “Shortened Course Student Talk” for third-year students as part of their career path education on June 2, 2026. Ms. Yui Suemura (DC1, Division of Soft Matter, Graduate School of Life Science) gave a talk. Ms. Yui Suemura Please refer to the detailed article at the link below ( in Japanese only).

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Shinji Noguchi, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor currently conducting research at Harvard University, has been awarded the Gold Medal in the “ISGS PhD Thesis Award 2025” by the International Sol-Gel Society (ISGS). The ISGS PhD Thesis Award recognizes outstanding doctoral research in the field of sol-gel science and technology. Receiving the Gold Medal is a significant international achievement and reflects the excellence and impact

GI-CoRE Cooperating Hub/Soft Matter Collaborative Research Unit (SMCR), Faculty of Advanced Life Science will hold the SMCR Seminar 2026 as below: Speaker: Prof. Federico Rosei, Dr. Hannah Kerr Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 14:00- Venue: Community Hall, 1st floor North campus build. 7 (Kita 21 Nishi 11, Kita-ku, Sapporo) Language: English Advanced registration: not required / Admission fee: free Inquiries: Soft Matter Collaborative Research Unit

We are pleased to announce the upcoming Hokkaido-Montréal Bilateral Symposium on Advanced Life Sciences, scheduled for July 10, 2026. For more information, please visit the symposium website. Hokkaido-Montréal Bilateral Symposium on Advanced Life Sciences Date: 8:45am-18:00pm, Friday, July 10, 2026 Venue: The Auditorium, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University (Sapporo) Admission: Free of charge Registration: Not required Hosted by: Department of Chemistry, Facult

In collaboration with the Society of Polymer Science, Japan, a Gel Workshop will be held in Otaru from August 5 to August 7, 2026. This workshop will take place in a retreat-style, encouraging close interaction among participants. Through intensive discussions and interaction, attendees are expected to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s research, fostering further advancement and collaboration in gel science within Japan. Event Dates: August 5–7, 2026 Venue: Otaru Sh

On June 3, 2026, Dr. Gong delivered a keynote lecture at the international conference BPC 2026. A photo from Dr. Gong's Lecture During the presentation, she showcased the latest research findings, attracting strong interest and engagement from a wide range of participants. In addition to presenting at BPC 2026, the trip included visits to leading research institutions in France. During these visits, she held research meetings and seminars with prominent researchers at the for

Associate Professor Tasuku Nakajima (Faculty of Advanced Life Science) published a paper titled “Soft and tough bio-composites via integration of agricultural products and polymer gels” in January 2026. We interviewed Dr. Nakajima for more information. Associate Professor Tasuku Nakajima (center) with collaborators: Ms. Kagari Maruyama (left) and Ms. Honoka Matsuura (right) Original Article Soft and tough bio-composites via integration of agricultural products and polymer gel

Dr. Kiyama, who participated in this project until April and is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo, will give a talk at our in-house seminar. For further details, please refer to the poster below.

Laboratory of Soft Matter Structure & Physics, Faculty of Advanced Life Science will hold the LENET seminar 2026 as below. 【Speaker】Dr. Carlos Lopez (PennState University) 【Date and time】Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, 10:00～ 【Venue】Creative Research Institution (Sousei BLDG) Large Meeting Room (5-213) 5F （Kita 21 Nishi 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo） 【Language】English Advanced registration: not required / Admission fee: free Inquiries: Faculty of Advanced Life Science Soft Matter

On April 14, 2026, a LeNet Seminar was held in the Community Hall of North campus build. 7. Dr. Ryuji Kiyama, a postdoctoral researcher who had just returned from ESPCI, Paris, gave a lecture. Seminar Venue Postdoctoral Researcher Ryuji Kiyama In the old town of Bordeaux (summer vacance) Fake Sushi in Paris Thursday Beeeeeeerrrrrr!!! （木曜日にビールを飲みに行こうという研究室イベントのお誘い）」 Raclette party with lab colleagues

GI-CoRE Cooperating Hub/Soft Matter Collaborative Research Unit (SMCR), Faculty of Advanced Life Science will hold the SMCR Seminar 2026 as below: Speaker: Dr. Ryuji Kiyama Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 14:00- Venue: Community Hall, 1st floor North campus build. 7 (Kita 21 Nishi 11, Kita-ku, Sapporo) Language: English Advanced registration: not required / Admission fee: free Inquiries: Soft Matter Collaborative Research Unit