Team

Prior to joining OIST, Gil served as the CEO of Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd., the technology transfer arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science (one of the leading technology transfer and commercializing organizations in the world). Gil co-chaired ITTN (the Israeli Tech-Transfer Organization) and served on the Academia-Industry Committee of the Israel National Council of Research & Development. Gil is a member of 8400 - The Heath Network, a non-for-profit organization aiming at boosting the heath-tech industry in Israel. In addition to his activities, Gil is advising governments and various for profit and non-for-profit organizations globally on various technology transfer and business development issues. Gil holds an MBA and L.L.B. degrees from Tel Aviv University.

Tags: Management | Strategy

Lauren is responsible for the operations and strategic direction of OIST Innovation, and for overseeing programs to commercialize research at the university, with the goal of making an impact on society and contributing to the self-sustaining development of Okinawa. Prior to joining OIST, Lauren was Vice President of Administration at the Molecular Sciences Institute in Berkeley, California where she played a key role in securing its designation as a national Center of Excellence in Genomic Sciences by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. A native of Vietnam, Lauren received a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of South Carolina.

Tags: Management | Strategy

Takanari oversees the management and commercialization of OIST’s intellectual property. Prior to joining OIST, Takanari spent 20 years in academia, as a researcher or faculty member at different institutions, including the University of Tokyo, the Ciba-Geigy (Novartis) Friedrich Miescher Institute, the Max Planck Society, RIKEN and the University of Tsukuba, Gene Research Center. Takanari co-founded Inplanta Innovations Inc., a spin-out from RIKEN, also acting as its CTO until joining OIST. Takanari holds a Ph.D. in Science from the University of Tokyo.

Tags: Management | Intellectual Property | Licensing

Ryohei explores commercialization opportunities for innovations from OIST and works closely with industry partners in Japan and abroad. He enjoys navigating the languages of diverse scientific and technical fields, from computer science to the life sciences. Prior to joining OIST, Ryohei worked for an intellectual property law firm, managing global patent portfolios and advising clients on business and IP strategies, with focus on the Asian markets. He also co-founded a startup in Tokyo and experienced entrepreneurship first-hand. He holds MSc and JD degrees from the University of Tokyo.

Tags: Intellectual Property | Licensing

Paola facilitates the development and commercialization of OIST’s research through licensing and collaboration with industry. Prior to joining OIST, Paola worked for a UK-based start-up as a development chemist, a FTSE100 chemical company as a Technology and Business Development Manager, where she spent 7 years building new businesses and product lines, and a consulting firm as a forensic investigator. She has experience in R&D and product development, intellectual property and new business development, including via M&A. Paola holds a MSc in Chemistry from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, as well as a PhD in Organometallic and Polymer Chemistry from Imperial College London.

Tags: Intellectual Property | Licensing

Ben’s role at OIST Innovation focuses on intellectual property management and licensing, helping to bring OIST technologies from research to market, to address real-world challenges. Prior to this role, Ben worked as a postdoctoral researcher at OIST, specializing in microfluidics and biosensing. Originally trained as a biochemist, he has expanded his expertise to include material science, MEMS, microfluidics, and data science. During his PhD, he contributed to advancements in biosensing and founded a spin-off company that developed biochips for educational purposes. Ben’s broad scientific expertise is complemented by an associate degree in economics, providing him with practical tools to connect scientific innovation with business opportunities.

Tags: Intellectual Property | Licensing

Angela supports OIST Innovation’s technology development activities, including the Proof of Concept and the Technology Pioneer Fellowship Programs. Prior to joining OIST Innovation, Angela worked for over seven years as an environmental researcher in Japan, first as a JSPS postdoctoral fellow at Riken Yokohama and then as a postdoctoral scholar in the Marine Biophysics Unit at OIST. During her PhD, Angela optimized a plant-based tool to monitor air pollution in Spain. She was a visiting researcher in the UK and Germany before relocating to Japan.

Tags: Internal Programs | Proof of Concept | Technology Pioneer Fellowships

As part of OIST Innovation, Ivana supports researchers in bringing their work from an initial idea to a prototype, application and beyond. They are involved in the Proof of Concept and the Technology Pioneer Fellowship programs and focus on innovative projects that stem from physics, computing, and engineering. Ivana holds a doctorate in physics from the Technical University of Munich, a MSc in physics and a MSc in politics in technology, and has previously worked in market development consulting, science and technical communication, and the quantum computing industry.

Tags: Internal Programs | Proof of Concept | Technology Pioneer Fellowships

Mari oversees programs that connect companies with opportunities to collaborate with OIST. She manages strategic partnerships under framework agreements and oversees key grant programs that promote collaboration between academia and industry. Before joining OIST, Mari built her career in business development through roles in Tokyo, the United States, and Germany.

Sachiko supports the development of collaborative research partnerships with industry and oversees the acquisition and management of private-sector funding and Okinawa Prefecture–funded subsidy programs. Prior to joining OIST, she spent over eight years at a global accounting firm in Tokyo, supporting senior executives and expatriate professionals. She gained professional experience in both the United States and Japan before relocating to Okinawa in 2015.

Shinobu is in charge of INO program, an industry academia collaboration program that connects companies with OIST’s research. She also supports industry engagement and partnership development across OIST Innovation. Prior to joining OIST, she spent over a decade in business development, consulting, and entrepreneurship support, working with a wide range of organizations including global corporations, startups, universities, and public sector institutions. After professional experience in the United States, Tokyo, and the Netherlands, she relocated to Okinawa. Shinobu holds a B.S. in International Business from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Toko supports the Business Development Section by handling administrative and operational tasks related to industry-facing activities at OIST. She assists with internal coordination, documentation, and logistical arrangements for meetings and events, ensuring day-to-day processes run smoothly. Her work provides essential operational support for the section’s programs and activities.

Anna oversees the development of industry partnerships, the activities in support of startups connected to OIST, the management of OIST's incubator, and the promotion of entrepreneurship at OIST. Prior to joining OIST, Anna worked at local think-tanks conducting market research and developing overseas sales channels for SMEs and developing regional development plans for local governments. She has also spent 2 years in Uganda working with community groups to develop new businesses. A native of Okinawa, she received a BA from Chuo University and a MA from the University of Hawaii.

Tags: Management | Industry Programs | Incubator | Accelerator

Shigefumi is responsible for a wide range of backend operations that support startup programs. He manages administrative, financial, contractual, and coordination tasks to ensure efficient program execution.

Tags: Industry Programs | Accelerator

Shinji manages the OIST Innovation Incubator, which fosters deep tech startups connected to OIST. Prior to joining OIST, Shinji worked for 12 years in research and laboratory facilities.

Tags: Incubator

Miki oversees and manages the programs and services within the incubator aimed at supporting its members in their innovation and entrepreneurship endeavors. Prior to joining OIST, Miki worked as a marketer across diverse industries including tobacco, advertising, and software. Notably, she served as the Head of Marketing at a legal tech startup, playing a pivotal role from its pre-PMF phase through to expansion.

Tags: Startup support

Caitlin Clouse coordinates OIST Innovation’s entrepreneurship training programs. She represents OIST within the PARKS (Platform for All Regions of Kyushu and Okinawa Startup Ecosystem) consortium, supporting innovation and startup development across Okinawa and Kyushu. She brings a background in education and hospitality management to her work. Caitlin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in business management and hospitality administration from Boston University.

Yannick leads the design, management, and implementation of the OIST Accelerator, supports cross-sectional programs, and advises on strategy. Prior to OIST, he launched and operated multiple startup engagement initiatives within a VC firm, including Japan’s first acceleration, corporate open innovation, and investment-readiness programs across both emerging and mature markets. With more than a decade of experience in program design, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, and go-to-market strategy, he has supported cross-border growth and investment promotion for a wide range of organizations. Born to a multicultural family and raised across multiple regions, he holds degrees in Communications, Game Design from the University of Montreal, and Public Policy and Global Affairs for the University of British Columbia.

Shingo serves as a liaison seconded from The Bank of Okinawa. After graduating from university, he joined The Bank of Okinawa, working in corporate lending, financial consulting, and later business matching and corporate support. He is also trained at an independent VC, gaining experience in financing for new business initiatives.

Makiko serves as a liaison seconded from the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG), working to strengthen collaboration between OPG and OIST. Prior to joining OIST, she gained extensive experience across a wide range of government departments. Drawing on her diverse administrative background, she now facilitates coordination and information sharing in alignment with the Prefecture’s policies and institutional frameworks, contributing to an environment where both sides can work together effectively.

Yohei draws on his experience in bank lending operations at Bank of the Ryukyus to specialize in financial advisory and fundraising support. He leverages Bank of the Ryukyus’ network to facilitate collaboration between OIST startups and local companies, providing comprehensive financial support from account opening to fundraising through the BOR Fund. In addition, he applies his extensive sales experience at branch offices to support clients with sales strategies and business development in the Japanese market.