Dr. Makoto Fujita stands as a preeminent figure in chemical sciences whose innovative approaches have significantly advanced molecular design principles. He currently serves as University Distinguished Professor at The University of Tokyo, a position he has held since 2019 with his appointment elevated to this prestigious title in 2023. Born in Tokyo in 1957, he received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Chiba University in 1980 and 1982 respectively, followed by a Ph.D. from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1987. His distinguished career path includes research positions at Sagami Chemical Research Center, professorships at Chiba University, Institute of Molecular Science, and Nagoya University before joining The University of Tokyo in 2002.
Professor Fujita's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed supramolecular coordination chemistry through his pioneering work on metal-directed molecular self-assembly. In the 1990s, he and his collaborators devised elegant methods for spontaneously assembling metal ions and organic molecules into precisely engineered frameworks such as squares, cubes, and other complex geometries that function as molecular containers. His innovative crystalline sponge methodology represents a paradigm shift in structural analysis, eliminating the need to grow crystals of substances for X-ray diffraction studies by allowing single molecules to be trapped within porous frameworks. This work earned him the 2018 Wolf Prize in Chemistry, which he shared with Omar Yaghi, for conceiving metal-directed assembly principles leading to large highly porous complexes that have opened new frontiers in molecular recognition and catalysis.
Beyond his transformative research contributions, Professor Fujita has provided significant leadership to the global chemistry community through his direction of major research projects including JST-CREST, JST ACCEL, and multiple Grant-in-Aid for Specially Promoted Research initiatives. His exceptional scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious honors including the Wolf Prize in Chemistry, Imperial Prize and Japan Academy Prize, and the Asahi Prize, cementing his status as one of the most influential chemists of his generation. As a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he continues to advance the frontiers of supramolecular chemistry while mentoring the next generation of scientists. His current research focuses on expanding the applications of coordination self-assembly to create increasingly sophisticated functional materials with potential applications across pharmaceutical, environmental, and technological domains.
