Yuya Karita Yuya Karita

Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo *Profile is at the time of the award.

2026HagukumuBiology & Life sciences(hagukumu)

researchmap

Research topics: Revealing the mechanism of soil bioremediation via pore-scale spatio-temporal analysis

Keyword

Summary: Soil microbes reside within a complex network of pore spaces between soil particles. Toward bottom-up understanding of such ecosystems, it is critical to analyze spatio-temporal dynamics at single-pore scale noting the characteristic spatial structure. However, it has been challenging to analyze natural opaque soils without destroying the structure. Here, I aim to reveal microscopic driving principles of soil microbiome, combining experimental tracking of artificial microcosms with transparent soil and theoretical analysis of pore-network models. Specifically, I focus on oil degradation process by soil microbes, aiming for application in bioremediation.

Message

Physical constraints by porous structure of soil environments are likely shaping the ecological dynamics of soil microbes. I will reveal such effects employing laboratory experiments and network models. With the support from the Inamori Foundation, I aspire to open and “incubate” a new research field.