Prof. Takashi Ohshima - Organic Chemistry - Best Researcher Award
Prof. Takashi Ohshima, Kyushu University, Japan
Prof. Dr. Takashi Ohshima is a distinguished synthetic organic chemist and Distinguished Professor at the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo under Prof. M. Shibasaki and completed postdoctoral research at The Scripps Research Institute with Prof. K.C. Nicolaou. His pioneering research spans digitalization-driven organic synthesis, catalysis, natural product synthesis, green chemistry, and medicinal chemistry. Prof. Ohshima has held numerous leadership roles, including Vice-Dean at Kyushu University and Vice-President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. He is a recipient of several prestigious awards and has contributed extensively to global scientific collaborations and academic development.
Author Profile
Education
Prof. Dr. Takashi Ohshima obtained his academic training from the prestigious University of Tokyo, where he completed his B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1991 under the mentorship of Prof. M. Ohno. He continued his education at the same institution, earning his M.Sc. in 1993 and his Ph.D. in 1996 under the supervision of the renowned chemist Prof. M. Shibasaki. His doctoral research, which focused on the asymmetric Heck reaction and carbanion capture processes, culminated in the catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of (–)-Δ⁹(¹²)-Capnellene a challenging target in natural product chemistry. This early exposure to complex reaction mechanisms and catalytic strategies laid the groundwork for his future contributions to organic synthesis.
Professional Experience and Leadership
Prof. Ohshima currently holds the position of Distinguished Professor at the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, and has served in this role since 2021. He has also been the Vice-Dean of the school since 2014 and became a full professor in 2010. Before his tenure at Kyushu University, he served as an Associate Professor at Osaka University from 2005 to 2010, and prior to that, as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo. His international experience includes a postdoctoral fellowship at The Scripps Research Institute under the mentorship of Prof. K.C. Nicolaou, where he was involved in the total synthesis of complex molecules like Sarcodictyins, Eleutherobin, and Sanglifehrin A. Additionally, he briefly worked in the pharmaceutical industry at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., enhancing his practical knowledge of drug development.
Research Focus and Contributions
Prof. Ohshima’s research interests span a wide array of topics in organic chemistry, including digitalization-driven transformative organic synthesis, green and sustainable chemistry, the development of new catalytic methodologies, natural product synthesis, and medicinal chemistry. As Principal Investigator of the national research initiative "DigiTOS," he is at the forefront of integrating digital tools into synthetic organic chemistry to revolutionize how chemical transformations are developed and optimized. His laboratory is known for pioneering new catalytic systems and methodologies that contribute to more efficient, environmentally friendly chemical processes. His scientific output reflects a commitment to practical innovation, with numerous publications, patents, and collaborative projects that have pushed the boundaries of contemporary organic synthesis.
Awards and Recognition
Prof. Ohshima's academic excellence and innovation have been widely recognized through numerous national and international awards. Among his many accolades are the 2024 NAGASE Science Technology Foundation Award, the 2023 BCSJ Award, and multiple Asian Core Program Lectureship Awards from countries including Taiwan, China, Singapore, and Korea. He also received the Green Sustainable Chemistry Award with the MEXT Award in 2010 and the prestigious Fujisawa Award from the Society of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan in 2000. These honors underscore both the scientific merit and practical impact of his work, particularly in advancing sustainable and process-efficient chemistry.
Scientific and Educational Activities
Beyond his research, Prof. Ohshima is a key figure in the Japanese and international scientific communities. He currently serves as Vice-President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan and has held various leadership roles such as chair and organizing committee member for several major conferences, including the 145th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan and the International Kyoto Conference on Organic Chemistry. He is actively involved in educational outreach, having delivered lectures at institutions like the University of Tokyo, Osaka University, Kyoto University, and international platforms including India’s GIAN program and Université Louis Pasteur in France. Through his tireless efforts in education, mentorship, and leadership, Prof. Ohshima continues to shape the future of organic chemistry both in Japan and globally.
Notable Publication
Catalytic diazene synthesis from sterically hindered amines for deaminative functionalization, Nature Communications (2025), Citations: 0
Sc(OTf)₃-Catalyzed C–C Bond Cleavage of Unactivated Acylazaarenes with 1,2-Diamines to Afford Azaarenes and Imidazoles, Organic Letters (2025), Citations: 0
Primary Allylic Amine Synthesis via Pd-Catalyzed Direct Amination of Allylic Alcohols with Ammonium Acetate, Journal of Organic Chemistry (2024), Citations: 1
α,β-Dehydroamino Acid Synthesis through Proline-Catalyzed Aldol Condensation with a Glycine Schiff Base, Precision Chemistry (2024), Citations: 1
Evaluation of functional group compatibility and development of reaction-accelerating additives in ammonium salt-accelerated hydrazinolysis of amides, Frontiers in Chemistry (2024), Citations: 0
Editorial: Recent advances in synthesizing and utilizing nitrogen-containing heterocycles, Editorial, Citations: 1
Inhibitory Effect of Pyra-Metho-Carnil on Cancer Spheroid Growth Through Decrease in Glycolysis-associated Molecules, Anticancer Research (2023) Citations: 1