A Hiroshima University (HU) materials scientist was among the four winners of the 17th L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, Japan Fellowship Award 2022.

HU Assistant Professor Haruna Katayama from the Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering is the youngest of the four recipients at 25 years old.

The ceremony took place at the United Nations University in Shibuya, Tokyo. Katayama is currently conducting research in the U.S. but returned temporarily to Japan to attend the event. She received the award in the field of materials science from Dr. Maki Kawai, Director-General of the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS).

Katayama proposed a method to observe Hawking radiation — which has peculiar quantum correlations emitted from an analogue black hole created in an electric circuit. By "creating a universe in an electric circuit," the research is a major step toward the integration of relativity and quantum theory. It is expected to contribute to the realization of next-generation information processing and communications, such as quantum computers, as well as be applied in materials science and quantum information science.

Also read: A better black hole laser may prove a circuitous ‘Theory of Everything’

“I am very honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award. I truly feel that I could not have received this award without the guidance and support of my professors, my family and friends. I would like to express my sincere gratitude," said Katayama.

"From now on, I would like to continue my studies so that I am worthy of this award and continue to conduct exciting research that will open up the future while having fun at the same time. Also, I would like to gain more experience not only in Japan but abroad, and based on the knowledge I gain there, I would like to become a scientist who can contribute to society.”

Also read: Q&A with Assistant Professor Haruna Katayama

About the award

The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Japan Fellowship Award was established in 2005 by Nihon L’Oréal (L’Oréal Japan) — the Japanese subsidiary of L’Oréal, one of the largest cosmetics manufacturers in the world — in cooperation with the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO.

The award is open to young female researchers, including students enrolled in doctoral programs. Two winners are selected from two fields: materials science and life sciences. Winners receive a scholarship of 1 million yen to support their continued research.