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Noriko Osumi

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Noriko Osumi
大隅 典子
Osumi at Tohoku University
Born (1960-11-28) November 28, 1960 (age 65)
Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Alma materTokyo Medical and Dental University
Known forResearch on PAX6 and paternal age effect
AwardsNISTEP Award (2006)
MEXT Commendation for Science and Technology (2022)
Brilliant Female Researchers Award (2022)
Scientific career
FieldsNeuroscience, Developmental biology
InstitutionsJapan Society for the Promotion of Science
Tohoku University
National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry

Noriko Osumi (大隅 典子, Ōsumi Noriko; born November 28, 1960)[1] is a Professor Emeritus and Visiting Professor at Tohoku University, where she served as the university's first female Vice President from 2018 to 2024.[2] In 2025, she was appointed Executive Director of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).[3]

Education and career

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Osumi graduated from the School of Dentistry at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) in 1985 and earned her PhD from the same institution in 1989.[4] Her early research focused on craniofacial morphogenesis and the migration of neural crest cells.

After serving as an assistant professor at TMDU (1989–1996) and a group leader at the National Institute of Neuroscience, she joined Tohoku University in 1998 as the Graduate School of Medicine's first female full professor.[4] She has held various leadership roles at the university, including Director of the Core Center for Neuroscience, Vice President, and Director of the University Library.[5] In 2025, she was appointed as Executive Director of JSPS, while keeping her research activity as Professor Emeritus and Visiting Professor at Tohoku University.[3]

Research

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Osumi's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of brain development, specifically the role of the PAX6 gene as a master regulator.[6] Her laboratory has conducted studies on the paternal age effect, investigating how epigenetic factors and sperm aging influence neurodevelopmental disorders.[7][8]

Her work emphasizes paternal contributions to offspring health, a field she identifies as under-researched compared to maternal studies.[7]

Advocacy and public service

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Osumi is an advocate for gender equality in STEM.[5] She has served as a special advisor for gender equality at Tohoku University since 2007 and was a member of the Science Council of Japan for three terms.[1] She has held several presiding roles in scientific societies, including the Molecular Biology Society of Japan, the Japan Neuroscience Society, and the Japanese Society of Neuropsychopharmacology.[1]

In partnership with the Society for Neuroscience, she has focused on the importance of mentorship and networking for female researchers.[9] She is also an associate member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).[10]

Awards and honors

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  • 1985: Nagao Award, Tokyo Medical & Dental University[4]
  • 2006: NISTEP Award, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)[4]
  • 2012: Associate Fellow, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)[4]
  • 2022: Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of MEXT[1]
  • 2022: 4th Brilliant Female Researchers Award (The Jun Ashida Award)[1]

Selected publications

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  • Osumi, N; et al. (2026). "When sperm age, their RNA code hits a cliff". EMBO Journal. doi:10.1038/s44318-026-00743-x. PMID 41844843.
  • Osumi, N; Shinohara, H; Numayama-Tsuruta, K; Maekawa, M (2008). "Concise review: Pax6 transcription factor contributes to both embryonic and adult neurogenesis as a multifunctional regulator". Stem Cells. 26 (7): 1663–1672. doi:10.1634/stemcells.2007-0884. PMID 18467663.
  • Yoshizaki, K; Kimura, R; et al. (2021). "Paternal age affects offspring via an epigenetic mechanism involving REST/NRSF". EMBO Reports. 22 (2) e51524. doi:10.15252/embr.202051524. PMC 7857438. PMID 33399271.
  • Osumi-Yamashita, N; Ninomiya, Y; Doi, H; Eto, K (1994). "The contribution of both forebrain and midbrain crest cells to the mesenchyme in the frontonasal mass of mouse embryos". Developmental Biology. 164 (2): 409–419. doi:10.1006/dbio.1994.1211. PMID 8045344.
  • Matsuo, T; Osumi-Yamashita, N; et al. (1993). "A mutation in the Pax-6 gene in rat small eye is associated with impaired migration of midbrain crest cells". Nature Genetics. 3 (4): 299–304. doi:10.1038/ng0493-299. PMID 7981749.
  • Kikkawa, T; Casingal, CR; et al. (2024). "Kinesin-like motor protein KIF23 maintains neural stem and progenitor cell pools in the developing cortex". Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 81 (1): 492. doi:10.1038/s44318-024-00327-7. PMC 11729872. PMID 39632980.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Curriculum Vitae: Noriko, OSUMI, DDS, PhD" (PDF). Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  2. ^ "Noriko Osumi - Keynote Speaker Profile". Asia Pacific Research Integrity Network. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Organization Chart & Executives". Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Noriko Osumi - Profile". Researchmap. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  5. ^ a b "The International Day of Women and Girls in Science Interview with Noriko Osumi". Hays. 30 January 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  6. ^ "Feature Highlights - Brain buster: Noriko Osumi is uncovering the links between genetics and brain development". Tohoku University. 3 June 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  7. ^ a b "Aging Dads' Impact: Age-Altered Sperm Genetics Increase Autism Risk". Neuroscience News. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  8. ^ Osumi, N; et al. (2026). "When sperm age, their RNA code hits a cliff". EMBO Journal. doi:10.1038/s44318-026-00743-x. PMID 41844843.
  9. ^ Noriko Osumi (2021). The importance of networking, mentoring, and diversity. Society for Neuroscience. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  10. ^ "Improving diversity to strengthen research and society". EMBO. 25 March 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
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