The Hokkaido University J-PEAKS Photon Frontier Project (Project Leader: Prof. Mikako Ogawa, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University) held the Photon Frontier Forum 2025 —“Fostering Interdisciplinary Research through Photochemistry”— on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
The forum serves as a platform for interdisciplinary research exchange grounded in photochemistry, featuring poster presentations by students and early-career researchers. Its aims are to stimulate new research at the intersections of photochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, and to build networks that connect researchers across disciplines.
Event Overview
Title: Photon Frontier Forum 2025
Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 15:20–19:00
Venue: Multipurpose Lecture Rooms 1 & 2, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University
Organizers: Hokkaido University and J-PEAKS Photon Frontier Project
Objectives and Outcomes
This forum was organized as part of the “Photon Frontier Project,” which has been selected for funding under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)’s Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS).
Photonic science and technology hold the potential to drive innovation across diverse research fields, including energy conversion, life sciences, and materials development. The project aims to open new research frontiers by advancing the integration of photochemistry with biotechnology, physical chemistry, nanoscience, and other disciplines.
The event featured numerous poster presentations by graduate students and early-career researchers, accompanied by active discussions and knowledge exchanges. Exchanges among researchers from different research fields provided opportunities for new perspectives and potential collaborations.
A networking reception following the poster session deepened discussion in a relaxed environment and helped stimulate new connections among participants.
In addition, the forum presented Poster Awards based on criteria that emphasize creativity, future potential, and innovation rather than the completeness of the research, thereby encouraging challenging research activities by young scientists.
About the Project
This forum was supported by MEXT’s J-PEAKS program, which promotes the development of regional core and distinctive research universities. Through this initiative, Hokkaido University is strengthening its specialized research fields while cultivating the next generation of researchers in the region.
The Photon Frontier Project will continue to provide regular opportunities for research exchange and will further promote interdisciplinary research and human resource development centered on photon science.