Outline

RECWET booklet
(Jul 2025 edition)

Since the establishment in 2000, we have been conducting research and development of cutting-edge water environment control technologies using diverse approaches based on the integration and collaboration of basic sciences such as microbial ecology and practical studies such as water treatment engineering in order to meet the social challenges and expectations of realizing a sustainable water environment.
In 2019, the center was reorganized into three divisions. We are currently promoting research and education in collaboration with water-related researchers in a wider range of fields within the university, including Chemistry and biotechnology, Civil engineering and Material engineering. Additionally, Laboratory of International Wastewater-based Epidemiology, which was established in March 2024, is working to implement technologies developed through industry-academia collaboration in society. Furthermore, in October 2024, Shinshu University/The University of Tokyo Collaboration Branch Office was established, aiming to integrate advanced research in the water field by collaborating with Shinshu University.
Moreover, our activities in the water fields, including international cooperation, human resource development, and hosting international conferences, mainly conducted in Asia, are gaining international recognition. We will continue to promote research and education activities with the aim of becoming an international research hub for water environmental engineering. We would appreciate your continued support for the activities of the center.

News & TopicsArchive＞

2026/01/23
[Media] Announcement! "Women In Tech 30" 2026 (Prof. Oguma)

Forbes Japan announced "Women in Tech 30" 2026 in its March issue. Prof. Kumiko Oguma (International Water Environment), the first person from outside the West to be elected as the President-Elect of the International Ultraviolet Association, was selected as one of the 30 women who will change the world in the field of technology. Her activities and profile were introduced in the magazine.
Image：Forbes JAPAN MAGAZINE

● 小熊久美子 (2026) 欧米以外で初、国際紫外線協会会長に, 「Women in Tech 30」2026 テクノロジー領域で世界を変える女性30人, Forbes Japan 3月号 (1/23発売）, p.76-79.
2026/01/16
[Event] Special Seminar Series #69 (Dr. Junyue (Holden) Wang/Lecture)

Dr. Junyue (Holden) Wang from the University of Maine in the United States, who specializes in disinfection of pathogenic microorganisms and oxidation treatment of persistent organic matter, gave a lecture on his latest research findings in the morning of January 16th. Dr. Holden, who has been conducting research in the United States for nearly seven years, answered questions from each participant in detail. The seminar also included a participant from the Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Seminar details

2025/12/23
[Lecture] Invited lecture at Biotechnology Study Group (Prof. Takai)

Prof. Madoka Takai (Water Quality Control Technologies and Materials Development) gave a lecture at the "Biotechnology for the Future" study group seminar held online by the Japan Bioindustry Association on December 23rd. In the lecture, she introduced examples of applications for surface modification materials that prevent biofouling adhesion.

● 高井まどか (2025) アメーバハイドロゲルでバイオ素材の機能を解き放つ　― 生体物質の安定化と新たな応用展開, "未来へのバイオ技術"勉強会「バイオ素材百花繚乱20～社会課題の解決に資するバイオ素材3選」, 一般財団法人バイオインダストリー協会, Dec 23, Zoom配信.
2025/12/19
[Conference] Symposium organizer, Session host and Lecture (Prof. Oguma)

Prof. Kumiko Oguma (International Water Environment) organized a symposium session on UV Photochemistry with an international team, hosted the session, and also gave a lecture at The International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies, Pacifichem 2025 held in Honolulu from December 15th to 20th.

Session
UV Photochemistry: Oxidation and Disinfection for Protection of Public Health in Water and Air (#CES043)
Organized by Karl Linden* (ACS), Kumiko Oguma* (CSJ), Madjid Mohseni (CSC), Ran Yin (ACS), Stuart Khan (ACS)
*: Session Host

Lecture
Kumiko Oguma (2025) Challenges of UV-LEDs Addressing Broad Water Disinfection Needs, Pacifichem 2025, Dec 19, Honolulu, Hawaii.
2025/12/15
[Event] Special Seminar Series #68 (Prof. Karina Gin/Lecture)

Prof. Karina Yew-Hoong GIN from National University of Singapore gave a lecture in the evening on 15th December. She is a distinguished researcher in microbial water quality, environmental chemistry, and health risk assessment. The event coordinator, Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima, had the privilege of working closely with her during his postdoctoral period in Singapore.
The lecture covered a broad range of environmental engineering topics, from microbial water quality to climate change. The large number of participants led to numerous questions during the Q&A session, and researchers and students who study Antimicrobial Resistance also had conversations with her. Seminar details