#Japan #endocrinology #Okayama #Okayama University #Daifujin Award

Ceremony for the 2025 Daifujin Endocrinology Award

On August 8, 2025, Okayama University, located in Okayama City and led by President Yoshitomo Nasu, proudly hosted the Daifujin Endocrinology Award ceremony at its Shikada campus. This prestigious award, established in memory of the late Professor Makoto Daifujin, former president and director of the medical faculty, aims to support young researchers, physicians, and graduate students conducting significant research in the field of hypothalamic and pituitary endocrinology.

The ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Professor Fumio Otsuka, chair of the Daifujin Endocrinology Award Committee and a professor of internal medicine, and Professor Manabu Takagi, an expert in psychosomatic medicine. The awards were presented by Professor Keiji Naruse, the head of the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, to the two distinguished recipients:
1. Yuki Otsuka, a specially appointed assistant professor in the field of medical development at Okayama University Hospital, recognized for his research on a new evaluation metric of pituitary endocrine function and its therapeutic applications in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
2. Yoshio Oya, a medical staff member at the psychiatry and neurology department at Okayama University Hospital, honored for his exploration of new treatment methods via cortisol inhibition for anorexia nervosa and his investigations into intestinal metabolism.

Professor Naruse extended words of encouragement, urging the awardees to continue their valuable research efforts to advance the field of endocrinology.

Those in attendance were deeply inspired by the presentations of the awardees and expressed optimism about the future contributions of these young researchers to the medical community and society.

The Daifujin Endocrinology Award marks a significant initiative not only to recognize outstanding efforts in medical research but also to support the next generation of scientists who are shaping the future of health and medicine. The university's commitment to fostering such initiatives aligns with its aim to be a core research hub in the region, known for its distinctive academic endeavors.

As Okayama University embarks on these transformative journeys, it looks forward to contributing significantly to the local and global research landscape, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in tackling pressing health challenges.

About the Awardees

Yuki Otsuka: His ongoing research is pivotal in assessing and applying endocrine functions in complex conditions like ME/CFS, offering new insights that could lead to better management strategies.

Yoshio Oya: His focus on anorexia nervosa and cortisol's role opens new avenues in treatment research by integrating understanding of metabolism and endocrine responses.

Conclusion

Okayama University continues to uphold its mission as a leading institution in healthcare research and invites everyone to stay tuned for further developments and contributions from its dedicated researchers. As part of its dedication to excellence, the university actively supports the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to promote sustainability and innovation in all research endeavors.

For further information about the initiative and future events, visit Okayama University's official website.