Professor Tatsuya Okubo

Professor Tatsuya Okubo is Presidential Adviser and Professor of Engineering at the University of Tokyo (UTokyo). From 2020 he held the position of Executive Vice President UTokyo and was formerly Dean of Engineering with 500 faculty and 200 staff members as well as 2,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students. Professor Okubo is a chemical engineer and materials chemist. He studied chemical engineering at undergraduate and graduate schools of UTokyo and obtained his PhD in 1988. He then spent his early career in Kyushu University, UTokyo and California Institute of Technology, and started his full professorship of UTokyo in 2006. In addition, he has been Professor of Presidential Endowed Chair for "Platinum Society" since 2012.

His research is focused on science and engineering of nanoporous materials, particularly in the area of synthesis and application of zeolites, a series of crystalline microporous aluminosilicates widely used as catalysts, adsorbents and ion-exchangers. He is an internationally well-renowned academician for his scholarly achievements and holding various patents to his credit. He was a former council member of international zeolite association and former President of Japan Zeolite Association. Professor Okubo is Fellow of Society of Chemical Engineers of Japan, and a member of Engineering Academy of Japan. He has a wide experience in international collaborations with both academic and industrial partners as well as start-up experience.