Shigeru Deguchi Receives the SPSJ Mitsubishi Chemical Award 2025 Deep-Sea-Inspired Innovation in Polymer Science Gains High Recognition

Dr. Shigeru Deguchi, Director of the Research Center for Bioscience and Nanoscience at JAMSTEC, has been awarded the SPSJ Mitsubishi Chemical Award 2025 by the Society of Polymer Science, Japan (SPSJ). He received the award in recognition of his research on “Continuous Production of Organic Soft Materials Inspired by Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Environments.”

The SPSJ is one of Japan’s leading academic societies, comprising approximately 8,000 members working in both fundamental and applied areas of polymer science. The Mitsubishi Chemical Award honors outstanding and original research rooted in polymer science that significantly contributes to technology and industry.

According to the selection committee, Deguchi’s work has brought new scientific value to the deep sea, a region traditionally studied from a natural history perspective. Under the concept of “deep-sea-inspired chemistry,” he has established a research framework that translates fundamental deep-sea science into real-world solutions. His achievement—realizing continuous production processes based on extreme deep-sea environments—was recognized for its originality and broad impact on both academia and industry.

The award ceremony and commemorative lecture were held at the 74th Symposium on Macromolecules (September 16–18, 2025, Kansai University).

List of Mitsubishi Chemical Award Recipients (SPSJ): https://www.spsj.or.jp/activity/activity_426.html

Second from right: Dr. Shigeru Deguchi