UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee
The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge summer school programme is organised by the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee
The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee are a group of volunteers led by the Chair, UCL Prof Shin-ichi Ohnuma.
The Committee are made up of academics and students from UCL and other universities in the UK and Japan, and individuals with the same aim: providing the next generation with opportunities for cultural exchange and encouraging them to go onto world’s top universities.
We are incredibly fortunate to have experts in various disciplines from some of the world’s leading universities to make the summer school programme vibrant and culturally enriched.
The Committee pride themselves on the openness in which all Committee Members are equal and welcome different viewpoints and values.
There are several Committee Members who are former participants of the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge, went onto universities in the UK, mainly UCL.
Since the programme’s inception in 2015, JAPAN AT UK LIMITED acts as the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee Office.
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee Members
The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee Members are made up of the Chair, Advisers, Ambassadors and Committee Members.
Our Advisers and Ambassadors are honorary titles awarded to our Committee Members by the Chair to recognise their long-term commitment and contributions to the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge’s success.
Chair
Prof Shin-ichi Ohnuma,
UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
Advisers
Our Advisers bring their expertise to the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge.
Prof Daisuke Kawata
Current position: Professor of Astronomy, Department of Space & Climate Physics & Mullard Space Science Laboratory, UCL Faculty of Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Education: Okayama Prefectural Okayama Joto High School
Message: At the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory, I study Galactic Archaeology, reconstructing the formation history of our Milky Way Galaxy from the current distribution and motion of the stars with different ages.
Emiko Asagoshi
Current position: Management Innovation Centre
Education: Hiroshima Prefectural Hatsukaichi High School
Message: The programme provides a great opportunity to develop your leadership and teamwork skills so please join us!
Prof Hidekazu Kurebayashi
Current position: Professor of Condensed Matter Physics and Nanoelectronics, London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL Faculty of Mathematical & Physical Sciences & Professor at Tohoku University
Education: University of Cambridge, PhD in Physics, 2010 & Shizuoka Prefectural Fuji High School
Masao Asai
Current position: Co-founding Partner of Capula Investment Management LLP
Education: Keio University & Taki Senior High School
Message: Unleash your unique talents in the heart of British tradition and excellence. Experience the peak of academia, shape your future, and turn your dreams into wings. The journey starts now—the future is yours to create.
Dr Masashi Matsunaga
Current position: Biospire CEO
Message: Future global leaders: this summer, Japanese and British high schoolers unite in a programme that will light a bright, bold path to your tomorrow. With countless volunteers.
Dr Masazumi Tada
Current position: Reader in Developmental and Cellular Biology, Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Division of Biosciences, UCL Faculty of Life Sciences
Education: Hiroshima City Motomachi High School
Message: To be Master of Science.
Dr Miwako Kitamura
Current position: Tohoku University
Dr Nozomi Sakata
Current position: Associate Professor, Hiroshima University
Education: UCL Institute of Education, PhD in Education and International Development, 2019
Message: I joined the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee as a student volunteer while I was studying at UCL. I’m glad to come back here as an Adviser, as I believe that this programme greatly contributes to internationalisation of the Japanese youth in one way or another.
Dr Yasuhiro Takeuchi
Current position: Reader in Molecular Virology, Infection and Immunity, UCL
Education: Shizuoka Seiko Gakuin Junior & Senior High School
Message: Every year the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge theme is challenging and so interesting!
Dr Yoshiyuki Yamamoto
Current position: Associate Professor, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Bioscience, UCL Faculty of Life Science
Education: Fukuoka Prefectural Kokura Higashi Senior High School
Ambassadors
Our Ambassadors are UCL alumni whose contributions are significant and enduring.
Kaito Mizukoshi
Current position: Strategy Consultant, Pianist
Education: UCL, Management Science MSci, 2024 & Aichi Prefectural Jishukan Senior High School
Message: I aspire to serve as a bridge between Japan and UCL.
Kentaro Kimura
Current position: Consultant
Education: UCL Institute of Education, Psychology of Education, MSc, 2019 & Tokyo Gakugei University International Secondary School
Message: As one of the participants at the inaugural UCL-Japan Youth Challenge programme in 2015, I urge you to spend your summer to join this enthusiastic, vibrant community of the UK-Japan students!
Kyokuyo Takemoto
Current position: Biwa Player of Tachibana School
Education: UCL, Department of Security & Crime Science, Faculty of Engineering (BSc, 1st), 2020, Ritsumeikan Moriyama High School
Dr Masako Shimato
Current position: Doctor
Education: UCL Medical School, MBBS iBSc Medicine, 2023, UWC Mahindra College & Sacred Heart School
Message: I hope all the eye-opening experiences through the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge will broaden your horizons! If you are particularly interested in studying medicine in the UK, please feel free to contact me.
Dr Moe Kishima
Current position: Doctor
Education: UCL Medical School, MBBS Medicine, 2022 (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, iBSc Medical Sciences with Medical Physics and Bioengineering), Joshigakuin Junior and Senior High School & St George’s School, Ascot
Message: The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge offers a great experience for both participants and volunteers. I hope you enjoy it!
Su (Sumire) Kaimori
Current position: Research student, The University of Tokyo
Education: UCL MRes Immunology, 2024
Message: Hello everyone! I hope you discover a new side of yourself through the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge’s exciting academic programme and connections with other participants. We look forward to meeting all of you who will be making an impact around the world.
Wataru Tage
Education: UCL, BA with Honours in Linguistics, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, Faculty of Brain Sciences, 2018
Message: I had the privilege of acting as the lead facilitator between 2019 and 2024 and met hundreds of bright participants. I continue to be involved with the programme as a volunteer.
Committee Members
The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge has been supported by a number of Committee Members since the programme’s inception in 2015.
We are grateful for their contributions in the spirit of volunteering.
Committee Members (in alphabetical order by first name, including our Advisers and Ambassadors):
Dr Anawat Suppasri, Arisa Shimada, Ayato Yamazaki, Prof Daisuke Kawata, Emiko Asagoshi, Prof Hidekazu Kurebayashi, Hideyuki Miyahara, Kaito Mizukoshi, Kentaro Kimura, Kyokuyo Takemoto, Makoto Yoshida, Manaka Abe, Dr Masako Shimato, Masao Asai, Dr Masashi Matsunaga, Dr Masazumi Tada, Dr Miwako Kitamura, Dr Moe Kishima, Moeno Sugiyama, Nanako Takaba, Dr Nozomi Sakata, Risa Hanai, Seitaro Taketani, Sumire Kaimori, Wataru Tage, Dr Yasu Takeuchi, Dr Yoshiyuki Yamamoto, Yu Hosomi, Yuta Nagano