Okayama University Graduate Student Wins Best Poster Award at International Photosynthesis Conference

Okayama University Graduate Student Achieves International Recognition

In a remarkable achievement, Mizuki Ishii, a first-year doctoral student from the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science at Okayama University, won the Best Poster Award at the International Congress on Photosynthesis Research. Held from July 26 to 30, 2026, in Liverpool, UK, this congress is the largest international event dedicated to the field of photosynthesis research, occurring once every four years.

Prior to the main conference, specialized satellite meetings focus on specific research areas to foster in-depth discussions. The satellite conference on water splitting reactions took place in London from July 23 to 25, 2026, during which numerous poster presentations were made by participants. Out of these presentations, Ishii's work was recognized as exceptionally outstanding, thus earning her the Best Poster Award.

The title of Ishii's presentation was “Structural determination of the high-spin S2 state in photosystem II by XFEL crystallography.” In her research, she utilized X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) technology for crystal structure analysis, which provides critical insights into the role of Photosystem II (PSII) in the water-splitting reactions associated with photosynthesis.

During the award ceremony, Ishii was presented with a certificate acknowledging her achievement. This accolade highlights the high regard for her research within the international community of photosynthesis studies. Ishii expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am deeply honored to receive the Best Poster Award. I would like to thank everyone involved in my research for their support. Moving forward, I hope to deepen our understanding of photosynthesis mechanisms through precise structural analyses.”

Her academic advisor, Professor Toshihiro Suga from the OKAYAMA University Institute of Fundamental Science, remarked on Ishii’s dedication, saying, “This research demands detailed structural analysis, and it makes me very happy to see Mizuki's persistent work recognized. The success of our lab members feels like a personal achievement, and I look forward to their future contributions.”

As a noted institution committed to addressing regional and global challenges through innovative research, Okayama University continues to pave the way for significant advancements in various scientific domains.

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