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Chikae is a microbial and ecosystem ecologist whose research focuses on how environmental changes, such as land use and climate change, affect soil microbial communities, which play vital roles in plant growth and health as well as biogeochemical cycling. Born and raised in Osaka, Japan, she earned her Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. degrees from Kyoto University, followed by postdoctoral research at Hokkaido University and Boston University. Outside of research, she enjoys spending time with her children, traveling, hiking, watching stage dramas and musicals, as well as reality shows and documentaries.

Nanette is an ecologist who combines ecosystem- and species-level measurements with isotopic techniques to study tree nutrient acquisition processes and tree-microbial interactions.  She earned her PhD at West Virginia University, followed by a postdoctoral position at Nanyang Technological University before coming to OIST. Her research has spanned the globe, seeking to quantify belowground forest function that drives carbon cycling and forest resilience to global change.  At OIST, she is using cutting-edge molecular techniques to elucidate how mycorrhizosphere communities influence tree productivity in the highly diverse tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Outside of research, she enjoys being a Fellow of the Explorers Club, hiking with her dogs, reading novels and watching movies with action/adventure, and acrylic painting.

Kevin, a forest ecologist and microbiologist from Benin, West Africa, researches arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) which affect ecosystem functioning, particularly plant and soil health. He earned his Ph.D. and M.Sc. in forest sciences from the University of Tokyo (Japan) and his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in forestry and forest management from the University of Abomey-Calavi (Benin). Before joining OIST, he was a JSPS postdoctoral researcher at Mie University, establishing and investigating living culture collections of forest-inhabiting AMF and their associated bacteria. At OIST, he elucidates how interactions among microbes belowground affect individual plants and ecosystems. Outside of research, he enjoys photography, driving, cooking, and intercultural exchange.

As a Research Unit Technician, I manage reagents and research equipment, and provide technical support to help ensure smooth and effective research activities. I was born in Osaka and grew up in Osaka and Hyogo, and moved to Okinawa in 2006. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing the piano, and scuba diving.
 

I am a field technician in the Tatsumi Unit. I have a background in marine biology, and my work combined scientific diving, and molecular tools like eDNA to study coral reef communities and bleaching in Okinawa, during my master’s at the University of the Ryukyus in MISE Lab. I love doing fieldwork both on land and underwater and see how life is connected across them. Looking forward to exploring more on nature and ecosystems in different areas.

Trading one rainy place for another, Yulia graduated from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada before joining OIST as a PhD student. During her bachelor’s degree, she worked on everything from nanoparticles, bumblebees, population dynamics of algae and riparian insect communities in alpine British Columbia. Currently, she is interested in the microbial connections between land and sea as well as the human effects on this continuum. In her spare time, Yulia can be found running down (but not up) the OIST hill and feeding her sourdough starter.

I have a background in microbiology, and during my bachelor’s and master’s studies at Kitasato University, I mainly worked on two research topics: investigating how the gut microbiota of tortoises is related to their longevity, and examining the effects of insect-based diets on living organisms.
Currently, I am interested in understanding how soil microbiomes interact with other environmental microbiomes that are essential for the health of plants and animals. In my free time, I enjoy skiing, snorkeling, traveling, and watching movies.
 

Originally from Japan, Yui joined OIST with a background in synthetic organic chemistry and an interest in exploring interdisciplinary research beyond chemistry. Her previous work focused on natural product synthesis. In this research unit, she is particularly interested in learning approaches to data analysis and interpretation while gaining experience in a different scientific field. Outside the lab, she enjoys taking walks and exploring old architecture.

Lucas is a research intern from the University of Toulouse in France, where he is pursuing a master's degree in biodiversity, ecology, and evolution, specializing in human impacts on ecosystems.
During his internship at OIST, he is studying the relationships between the functional diversity of plant communities dominated by associations with ectomycorrhizal fungi and the control of plant pathogens.
In his free time, he enjoys sports, drawing, and spending time outdoors.
 

Clara is from University Utrecht in the Netherlands, where she is undertaking a master’s degree in Bio-Inspired Innovation. Although she is an enthusiast about various topics such as biotechnology, nature-based solutions and sustainable development, she came to OIST as a research intern to further pursue her interest in plant-microbe interactions. Here, her research focuses on the role of ECM fungal communities in urban ecosystems and how they can be utilised to improve the health of urban trees. Outside the lab, she can be found spotting wildlife (and petting street cats), drawing, reading, and making music.

I have been in OIST since November 2023 and joined Tatsumi Unit in July 2025 as a Research Unit Administrator. With Chihiro and Makiko, I give administrative support for the unit for smooth operation. 
I was born, grew up in Yokohama and spent almost 20 years in Canada and the US.
During my free time, I enjoy scuba diving to encounter marine creatures and occasionally bouldering.