Mr. Kanta Komuro, a second-year master's student in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, has received the U35 Encouragement Award at the Japanese Society for Biomagnetism.

U35 Encouragement Award
This award is presented to outstanding poster presenters under the age of 35 at the 40th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Biomagnetism, held in June 2025.

About the Award-Winning Research and Activities
The aim of this study is to achieve the world’s highest-resolution magnetoencephalography (MEG) measurements for small animals using optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs). In this research, a multi-channel OPM-MEG experimental system capable of simultaneous measurements was constructed. Using optogenetically modified rats (optogenetic rats), the whiskers were stimulated with light, and the resulting somatosensory evoked responses were recorded. While conventional methods were limited to single-point MEG measurements, this study successfully achieved spatial mapping across the entire head.
Note: Optogenetic rats are genetically modified to exhibit brain activity similar to tactile stimulation when exposed to blue light.

Future Aspirations and Reflections
Although there were many challenges and repeated trial-and-error in the beginning, I was fortunate to receive careful guidance and support from Professor Masaki Sekino and all the members of the laboratory. Thanks to their help, I was honored to receive the prestigious U35 Encouragement Award at the Japanese Society for Biomagnetism. I am deeply grateful for this wonderful opportunity, and I will continue to devote myself to contributing to the advancement of the field of biomedical measurement.