Associate Professor Rie Umetsu from Tohoku University's Institute for Materials Research (IMR) was awarded the 39th Saruhashi Prize at a ceremony in Tokyo on May 25.
She was recognized for her work in materials science - specifically the physical properties of the Heusler-type functional magnetic materials, including half-metal type magnets.
The Saruhashi Prize was established in 1981 by Katsuko Saruhashi, a geochemist who made the first precise measurements of carbon dioxide and radioactive materials in ocean water.
It is now awarded annually by the Bright Future of Women Scientists in Japan to outstanding female researchers who are not only accomplished in research, but also a mentor and role model to other women in the natural sciences.
"There are so many famous researchers who have won this award, women I admire and respect greatly," said Umetsu. "I'm honoured and really humbled to see my name included on that list."
This is the second time that a researcher from Tohoku University has won the award. In 2005, Professor Motoko Kotani was recognized for her research of discrete geometric analysis due to the crystal lattice, in the field of mathematics.
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