Dr. Akiharu Satake is a distinguished scholar and academic leader whose pioneering work has significantly advanced the field of supramolecular chemistry in Japan and internationally. He currently serves as Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Science Division II at Tokyo University of Science, where he leads the Department of Chemistry and oversees academic programs for over 1,600 students. After earning his Doctor of Engineering from Waseda University, Dr. Satake established his research foundation through impactful postdoctoral work at RIKEN from 1997 to 1999, followed by a decade-long appointment as Assistant Professor at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology. His academic progression culminated in his appointment as Associate Professor at Tokyo University of Science in 2010, followed by promotion to full Professor in 2015, reflecting his growing influence in chemical sciences education and research leadership.
Dr. Satake's groundbreaking research focuses on the design and characterization of supramolecular assemblies, particularly porphyrin-based systems that demonstrate sophisticated molecular recognition properties and programmable interactions. His influential 2005 publication on porphyrin-carbon nanotube composites revealed novel noncovalent interactions that enable the creation of functional hybrid materials with potential applications in molecular electronics and sensing technologies. A landmark 2021 study demonstrated metal-templated synthesis of rigid cyclic bisporphyrins connected through various amide linkers, achieving significantly improved yields compared to metal-free approaches and establishing new structural paradigms for conformationally restricted architectures. His systematic investigations into the structural dynamics and chromatographic behavior of these sophisticated molecular assemblies have provided fundamental insights into how molecular geometry and rigidity affect separation processes and recognition mechanisms, advancing the theoretical understanding of supramolecular interactions.
Beyond his research accomplishments, Dr. Satake has significantly shaped the field through his leadership in academic governance and his commitment to cultivating the next generation of scientists with both specialized knowledge and strong ethical foundations. His laboratory at Tokyo University of Science serves as a training ground for students pursuing advanced research in molecular design and materials science, reflecting the institution's philosophy of "advancement of science" and "achieving excellence". Currently, his research program continues to push boundaries in creating increasingly sophisticated supramolecular architectures with tailored functions for potential applications in nanotechnology and molecular devices. Dr. Satake's ongoing contributions to supramolecular chemistry education and his leadership in the Japanese chemical research community ensure his work will continue to influence both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in molecular science for years to come.
