Faculty and Research Units
OIST research units take a cross-disciplinary approach to research, and the PhD program encourages students to explore the intersections of disparate fields of science and technology. Find the research unit of your interest below.
Faculty and Research Units
![Header Image](/sites/default/files/styles/background_image_xl_low_1x/public/2022-08/2.-Research-02.jpg?h=8f74817f&itok=weu1UMhz)
Find a Faculty Member or Research Unit
![DNA image](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2023-10/Gene-Myers-header-231024.jpg?h=8f74817f&itok=m3jAyIWe)
Algorithms for Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics
The Algorithms for Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics Unit develops computer algorithms for core problems in genomics to study the genomes of every extant species on our planet.
![Photo of Gene Myers](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/myers-gene_600x900_0.png?h=a7a0b784&itok=sP3oLTGj)
Gene Myers
Professor (Adjunct)
![blackboard full of mathematical formulae](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2024-04/OISTAPDEheroimage%20copy.jpg?h=9a62d6e1&itok=z384nK8N)
Analysis and Partial Differential Equations Unit
The mission of the Analysis and PDE unit is to reveal and analyze the mathematical principles reflecting natural phenomena expressed by partial differential equations and advance the boundar...
![Photo of Ugur Abdulla](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/abdulla-ugur-torso-20220220_web.jpg?h=3a6844cc&itok=T_-2TEZc)
Ugur Abdulla
Professor
![blackboard image](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2022-09/bboard_0.jpg?h=cba4c296&itok=hIM0KHIH)
Analysis on Metric Spaces Unit
Analysis on Metric Spaces Unit explores analytic and geometric problems arising in diverse spaces, especially those with no priori smooth structures. Our research focuses on partial diff...
![Photo of Xiaodan Zhou](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/zhou-xiaodan-torso_0.jpg?h=37f011c6&itok=i2B9TrKK)
Xiaodan Zhou
Assistant Professor
![Applied Cryptography Unit banner](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2023-07/Carlos-Cid-unit-banner-230728-v1.jpg?h=8f74817f&itok=EaAG__an)
Applied Cryptography Unit
The Applied Cryptography Unit investigates the design and analysis of modern cryptographic primitives and schemes used to protect the confidentiality and integrity of data – at rest, being communicated or computed upon – both in the classical and the quantum settings. Particular areas of interest include the design and analysis of quantum / post-quantum cryptography schemes, the algebraic cryptanalysis of symmetric and asymmetric key algorithms, as well as the design and analysis of primitives for privacy-preserving cryptographic mechanisms.
![Carlos Cid](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/2024-01/cid-carlos.png?h=1abd0001&itok=faTMAUsv)
Carlos Cid
Professor (Adjunct)
![Astrophysical Big Bang Group](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2022-10/top-page-banner.jpg?h=374ecb1b&itok=dAcZvtxK)
Astrophysical Big Bang Group
Our group focuses on unveiling lots of mysteries surrounding astrophysical explosive phenomena such as supernovae (SNe) and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). SNe and GRBs are the most powerful explosions in the universe, yet very little is known about their explosion mechanisms. These astrophysical big bangs fascinate us with their unknown physics and puzzling astronomical phenomena such as gravitational waves, neutrinos, nucleosynthesis, non-equilibrium ionization, ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. Through our theoretical and computational approaches, we strive to reveal the complete pictures of these explosions and provide the-state-of-the-art physical interpretations for current, cutting-edge observations and useful predictions for future observations by next-generation astronomical observatories.
![Shigehiro Nagataki](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/2022-11/shigehiro-nagataki-01.jpg?h=e9e98c49&itok=WR9jbRuS)
Shigehiro Nagataki
External Professor
![3D ant head render](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2023-07/Economo-header-230719.jpg?h=8f74817f&itok=OAJ-Zz1y)
Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit
The Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit explores how ecological and evolutionary processes generate and sustain biodiversity, and how those processes are being altered by human activities.
![Evan](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/2022-11/EconomoEvan.png?h=a7e6d17b&itok=uuaUIV04)
Evan P. Economo
Professor
![writing on a blackboard](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2023-08/pigolotti-unit-landing-hero_bcu.jpg?h=332951a7&itok=rTJKKCke)
Biological Complexity Unit
The Biological Complexity Unit studies how biophysical systems, ranging from subcellular circuits to cellular populations, can function despite being subject to random fluctuations.
![Photo of Simone Pigolotti](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/pigolotti-simone-2017-02_torso_600x900.jpg?h=22336096&itok=xLOxjJFb)
Simone Pigolotti
Professor
![Biological Nonlinear Dynamics Data Science Unit](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2022-11/pao-gerald-unit-hero-20221125_3840x2160.png?h=8f74817f&itok=og3n6elb)
Biological Nonlinear Dynamics Data Science Unit
The biological nonlinear dynamics data science unit investigates complex systems explicitly taking into account the role of time. We do this by instead of averaging occurrences using their statistics, we treat observations as frames of a movie and if patterns reoccur then we can use their behaviors in the past to predict their future. In most cases the systems that we study are part of complex networks of interactions and cover multiple scales. These include but are not limited to systems neuroscience, gene expression, posttranscriptional regulatory processes, to ecology, but also include societal and economic systems that have complex interdependencies. The processes that we are most interested in are those where the data has a particular geometry known as low dimensional manifolds. These are geometrical objects generated from embeddings of data that allows us to predict their future behaviors, investigate causal relationships, find if a system is becoming unstable, find early warning signs of critical transitions or catastrophes and more. Our computational approaches are based on tools that have their origin in the generalized Takens theorem, and are collectively known as empirical dynamic modeling (EDM). As a lab we are both a wet and dry lab where we design wet lab experiments that maximize the capabilities of our mathematical methods. The results from this data driven science approach then allows us to generate mechanistic hypotheses that can be again tested experimentally for empirical confirmation. This approach merges traditional hypothesis driven science and the more modern Data driven science approaches into a single virtuous cycle of discovery.
![Gerald Pao](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/2022-11/pao-gerald-bookshelf-20221125.jpg?h=1763a02c&itok=PuXQV0_W)
Gerald Pao
Assistant Professor
![Biological Physics Theory Unit hero](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2023-11/Greg-Stephens-header.jpg?h=8f74817f&itok=gQYjQdoH)
Biological Physics Theory Unit
While physicists have long searched for universal laws that explain the nature of matter and energy, until recently the complexity of biological systems proved daunting. The Biological Physi...
![Photo of Greg Stephens](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/_s_stephens-greg__MG_1176.jpg?h=91fb1998&itok=axp85Z90)
Greg J Stephens
Associate Professor (Adjunct)
![Biological Systems Unit group photo](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2023-11/Igor-Goryanin-header-231101.jpg?h=8f74817f&itok=nx-1XOu8)
Biological Systems Unit
The Biological Systems Unit is working on devices in which microorganisms break down waste, releasing energy in the process. Key Okinawan industries such as awamori distilleries, pig and chi...
![Photo of Igor Goryanin](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/_s_goryanin-igor_20130807_goryanin_dsc_2541.jpg?h=c69b6190&itok=kJv63RWR)
Igor Goryanin
Professor (Adjunct)
![Kiyomitsu unit_spindle image](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2022-09/Spindle_CDDU_website.png?h=d1cb525d&itok=I5Qy15uG)
Cell Division Dynamics Unit
The Cell Division Dynamics Unit studies the mechanisms of chromosome segregation and cell fate determination during mitosis with a focus on mitotic spindle assembly and positioning in cultured human cells and Medaka embryos.
![Photo of Tomomi Kiyomitsu](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/kiyomitsu-tomomi-20190820-torso_torso.jpg?h=3a9a3c7e&itok=v8UcsSEp)
Tomomi Kiyomitsu
Assistant Professor
![cellpro](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2023-04/20230418%20Cell%20Proliferation_0.jpg?h=d1cb525d&itok=kUFQLXfO)
Cell Proliferation and Gene Editing Unit
Every day, millions of cells in our body divide to maintain essential tissue functions. Errors in cell division can lead to developmental disorders or cancer. The research of the unit is focused on molecular mechanisms of cell divison and quality control in normal and cancer cells to understand tumor-suppressive mechanisms and identify biomarkers that confer a cancer-specific vulnerability to chemical drugs. The unit combines high throughput imaging, gene editing and genome wide screens to open new avenues for therapeutic development.
![Photo of Franz Meitinger](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/meitinger-franz-20211213-torso_0.jpg?h=95862f14&itok=RUmMW-L5)
Franz Meitinger
Assistant Professor
![Cell Signal Unit hero image](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2023-11/Tadashi-Yamamoto-header.jpg?h=8f74817f&itok=JKdD5Qvq)
Cell Signal Unit
Using a mouse model, the Cell Signal Unit explores the cause of various diseases that include cancer, neuronal disorders, immunological diseases, and diabetes/obesity at the molecular level....
![Photo of Tadashi Yamamoto](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/_s_yamamoto-tadashi_Yamamoto%25202.jpg?h=4b9cbfbb&itok=S0Zx1AVv)
Tadashi Yamamoto
Professor
![Vortex of red liquid spinning in beaker.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2022-11/Tanaka-unit-hero-3840x2160-01.jpg?h=e3b12d17&itok=JSDaBDkO)
Chemistry and Chemical Bioengineering Unit
The Chemistry and Chemical Bioengineering Unit develops methods and strategies for the construction of organic molecules that contribute to biomedical research and drug discovery.
![TANAKA Fujie](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/2022-09/tanaka-fujie-20220905-v2.jpg?h=037f78bf&itok=plBPzK6C)
Fujie Tanaka
Professor
![Robot raising arms](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2022-09/tani-unit-hero-image.png?h=77b5661b&itok=VQGIwYzF)
Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit
The Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit is dedicated to investigating the principles of embodied cognition by conducting experimental studies in synthetic neurorobotics. The primary goals of our research are to understand:on how innate structures can be leveraged to develop cognitive constructs through iterative but limited behavioral experiences; how primary intersubjectivity in social cognition can be formed through enactive and contextual interactions with others; and how subjective experiences such as consciousness and free will can be scientifically and phenomenologically explained. In addition, our developmental neurorobotics approach is intended to uncover the underlying mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism. Through these researches, we can expect to deepen our ontological understanding of human beings, rather than simply creating another smart machine-learning robot.
![Photo of Jun Tani](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/20160925-tani-jun-600x900.jpg?h=d2d64743&itok=tZBS57UE)
Jun Tani
Professor
![FTLE cylinder](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2022-09/rosti-unit-hero-image-cff-FTLE-hd.png?h=4ed383a5&itok=S-RC1YFb)
Complex Fluids and Flows Unit
We study multiscale and multiphysics problems related to fluid dynamics by numerical simulations. Our research is focused on turbulence, non-Newtonian fluids and multiphase flows.
![Marco Rosti](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/2022-09/IMG_4874_2c.jpg?h=cb4a10b2&itok=WQ1-H8Q9)
Marco Edoardo Rosti
Assistant Professor
![Complexity Science and Evolution Unit banner](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2023-08/Banner-globe-230815.jpg?h=8f74817f&itok=b41Niv7p)
Complexity Science and Evolution Unit
The CSE Unit analyzes the dynamics of complex adaptive systems, focusing on behavioral dynamics shaping social systems, eco-evolutionary dynamics shaping ecosystems, and their interactions.
![Photo of Ulf Dieckmann](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/dieckmann-ulf-torso-big_20210902.jpg?h=752f570e&itok=tgdzLNZM)
Ulf Dieckmann
Professor
![chromatophores](/sites/default/files/styles/card_lg_1x/public/2022-09/022A5822_crop_0.jpg?h=31dc0fb1&itok=BCKL-9Go)
Computational Neuroethology Unit
The Computational Neuroethology Unit seeks to uncover the principles governing animal behavior and its neural basis. We are currently focusing on cephalopods: squid, octopus, and cuttlefish.
![Photo of Sam Reiter](/sites/default/files/styles/faculty_card_mini/public/reiter-sam_20180920_torso_0.jpg?h=cd461ba8&itok=tbf5YgBj)
Sam Reiter
Assistant Professor