On Friday, February 20, 2026, four young researchers were presented with the CiRA Encouragement Award in fiscal year 2025.

This award, financed by the iPS Cell Research Fund, recognizes CiRA scientists for remarkable research achievements in life sciences. This award was established in fiscal year 2018. Effective this fiscal year, the award is now open to CiRA researchers under the age of 43 or who obtained their doctoral degree less than 10 years ago.

This time, the following four young researchers received the award.

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1. Dr. May Koyama
   Program-Specific Research Center Assistant Professor,
   Yamamoto Laboratory, Dept. of Life Science Frontiers

Dr. Koyama was highly acclaimed for research that elucidated the molecular mechanisms by which small intestinal epithelial stem cells maintain homeostasis while adapting to age-related environmental changes, presenting a novel perspective that views aging not merely as functional decline but as an adaptive strategy.

• Safeguarding intestinal stem cells during aging through balanced signaling

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1. Dr. Yann Pretemer
   Program-Specific Research Center Assistant Professor,
   Hamazaki Laboratory, Dept. of Life Science Frontiers

Dr. Pretemer was highly acclaimed for establishing a system to induce the differentiation of human iPS cells into thymic epithelial cells, and for highlighting its utility as a model of thymic epithelial development.

• Recreating human thymus development in a dish using iPS cells

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1. Dr. Souta Motoike
   Specially-Appointed Assistant Professor,
   Ikeya Laboratory, Dept. of Clinical Application

Dr. Motoike was highly acclaimed for developing an innovative protocol to induce jawbone organoids from human iPS cells.

• Laying the foundation for future jawbone research

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1. Dr. Kosuke Toyohara
   Program-Specific Researcher,
   Osafune Laboratory, Dept. of Cell Growth and Differentiation

Dr. Toyohara was highly acclaimed for being the first to demonstrate that transplantation of human iPS cell-derived nephron progenitor cells can suppress renal dysfunction and the progression of interstitial fibrosis in mouse models of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, and for elucidating that renal microvascular protection mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor secreted by these cells is one of the key mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effect.

• Expanding the capability of regenerative medicine toward new treatments
  and cures for kidney diseases

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The four award recipients were presented with certificates, trophies, and supplementary prizes by Director Jun Takahashi.

Following the award ceremony, they gave short presentations on their research and concluded by sharing future aspirations while expressing gratitude for CiRA's research environment and support.

The iPS Cell Research Fund plays a vital role in supporting education and human resource development for early-career researchers at CiRA. This fund reflects the generous contributions of numerous donors, and we deeply appreciate their support.