30 August, 2024
Takashi Gojobori, Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor of Bioscience at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), has been honored with the prestigious Foreign Minister's Commendation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The award, presented by H.E. Ms. Yoko Kamikawa, Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, recognizes Professor Gojobori's significant contributions to scientific and technological cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Since joining KAUST in 2013, Professor Gojobori has played a pivotal role in fostering academic exchanges and industry-government collaboration between the two nations. His research interests span from comparative genomics and gene expression in neural cells of various organisms to marine metagenomics, where he explores the diversity of microorganisms. His work aims to elucidate the evolutionary origin of neural networks and apply this understanding to synthetic biology for advancements in bioenergy.
The Foreign Minister's Commendation is awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields, acknowledging their role in promoting friendship and cooperation between Japan and other countries. Professor Gojobori's recognition underscores the importance of global collaboration in advancing scientific innovation.