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Satoshi Utsunomiya

Satoshi Utsunomiya is a Professor and Yushan Scholar in the Department of Geosciences at National Taiwan University (NTU). He received his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from the University of Tokyo under the supervision of Professor Takashi Murakami. His doctoral research focused on Precambrian paleoweathering, aiming to reconstruct atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide levels on the early Earth (featured in Science, Editor’s Choice).

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He then moved to the University of Michigan, where he studied radiation effects in candidate minerals for high-level nuclear waste forms under the mentorship of Professor Rodney C. Ewing. At Michigan, he expanded his research interests to include atmospheric nanoparticles, noble metal nanoparticles in ore minerals, actinide transport via natural colloids in contaminated groundwater systems, uranium mineralogy in natural uranium deposits, and zircon crystal chemistry. He achieved the first direct imaging of Pb atoms in zircon using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM).

After serving as an Assistant Research Scientist at the University of Michigan, he returned to Japan to join Kyushu University. There, he continued his research on atmospheric chemistry and radionuclide colloid migration. He also initiated collaborations with the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) to investigate microbial influences on radionuclide migration through laboratory experiments (featured in Science, Editor’s Choice).

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Following the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which resulted in unprecedented radionuclide contamination in eastern Japan, he played a key role in elucidating the occurrence, transformation, and environmental behavior of radionuclides released during the disaster. He made pioneering contributions to understanding cesium-rich microparticles (CsMPs) emitted from the reactor units. Using advanced electron microscopy and isotopic analyses, he and his team revealed the formation mechanisms of CsMPs, identified fuel debris fragments within the particles, and clarified the transport pathways of radionuclides including uranium and plutonium.

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His group developed quantitative methods to detect CsMPs in soil and indoor dust, providing critical insights into their environmental distribution and long-term risks. They also investigated CsMP dissolution in biological fluids, contributing to assessments of potential health impacts. These studies have laid the foundation for the emerging field of advanced nuclear forensics aimed at investigating and managing nuclear accidents.

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Professor Utsunomiya was elected a Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America in 2013 and a Geochemistry Fellow of the Geochemical Society and the European Association of Geochemistry in 2024. He received the Clair C. Patterson Medal (2024), the MEXT Science and Technology Award (Research Category) in 2025, the Japan Association of Mineralogical Sciences Award in 2025, and the Yushan Scholar Award in 2025.

2025 Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports

Education

Ph.D. Mineralogy, University of Tokyo,

March, 2000

M.Sc. Mineralogy, University of Tokyo

March, 1997

B.S. Geology, University of Tokyo

March, 1995

Professional Experiences

2025.08 – Present

Professor and Yushan Fellow at Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University

2007.04 – 2025.06

Associate Professor at Department of Chemistry, Kyushu University

2004.11 – 2007.04

Assistant Research Scientist at Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan

2004.08 – 2004.11

Post-doctoral fellow at Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan

2004.03 – 2004.07

Senior research fellow at Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan

2000.09 – 2004.03

Research fellow at Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan

Membership

Mineralogical Society of America (MSA), American Chemical Society (ACS), Japan Association of Mineralogical Sciences, Atomic Energy Society of Japan, The Geochemical Society, The Geochemical Society of Japan

Teaching Experience

  • University of Tokyo; Teaching Assistant for Low-Temperature Geochemistry

  • University of Michigan; GS455 Laboratory Course

  • Kyushu University; Basic Inorganic Materials Chemistry, Radiochemistry I, Basics of Transmission Electron Microscopy, Modern Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry IV, Basic Natural Science Laboratory Course, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory Course, International Science Course IV (1/2)

Award & Honors

  • Poster award, “Fate of the epsilon phase in the Oklo natural reactors" by S. Utsunomiya and R.C. Ewing at Migration 2005, International conference on chemistry and migration behaviour of actinides and fission products in the geosphere.  September 18-23, 2005, Avignon, France.
     

  • Poster award, “Alteration of UO2 under oxidizing conditions” by A. Deditius, S. Utsunomiya and R. C. Ewing at Plutonium Future 2006, International conference on plutonium and actinides, July 9-13, 2006, California, USA.
     

  • MSA Fellow, Mineralogical Society of America
     

  • Geochemistry Fellow, The Geochemical Society/the European Association of Geochemistry
     

  • 2024 Clair C. Patterson Award
     

  • 2025 Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Science and Technology Award (Research Category) 文部科学大臣表彰科学技術賞（研究部門）
     

  • 2025 Society Award, the Japan Association of Mineralogical Sciences (JAMS)日本鉱物科学会学会賞
     

  • 2025 Yushan Fellow, Ministry of Education, Republic of China (Taiwan)　玉山學者

Funding

  1. “Nanoscale Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Arsenian Pyrite in Ore Deposits” National Science Foundation, NSF-0537626, co-PI, 2006-2008, $3,000

  2. “Nano- and atomic-scale analysis for heavy metals in pyrite” Japan Ministry of Education (MEXT), Start-up fund for young scientist. PI: Utsunomiya 2008-2009 　¥2916k.

  3.  “Speciation of trace metals on atmospheric particulate analyzed by HRTEM and XANES” Steel Industry Foundation for the Advancement of Environmental Protection Technology, PI, 2008-2009, ¥3000k.

  4. “Multi-scale analysis of ultrafine particles (UFPs) and the dynamics in east Asia” Ministry of the Environment, Japan, Environment Research and Technology Development Fund, PI, 2009-2010, ¥18000k.

  5. “Understanding the migration processes of radionuclides through nanoparticles and microorganisms” Radioactive Waste Management Funding and Research Center, Basic Research Funds, PI: Utsunomiya, 2010-2012, ¥9000k.

  6. “Quantitative estimation of atmospheric oxygen in the early Proterozoic: Behavior of Fe during rock weathering in the low PO2 condition”, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, co-PI: 2009-2011, ¥200k.

  7.  “Synthesis of nano-colloids using biotechnology and mechanisms of the dynamic interaction with radionuclides”, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, co-PI: 2009-2011, ¥300k.

  8. “Effects of microorganisms and nanoparticles on the migration of radionuclides in groundwaters”. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Funds for International Collaboration, co-PI, 2011-2012, ¥100k.

  9. “Analysis of chemical state of Cs in Fukushima soils for the site remediation”, ESPEC Foundation for Global Environment Research and Technology (Charitable Trust)（ESPEC Prize for the Encouragement of Environmental Studies）2011, PI, ¥500k

  10. “Estimation of PO2 increase in the atmosphere in the early Proterozoic based on the chemical state of trace metals”, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Funds for International Collaboration, co-PI, 2012-2014, ¥200k.

  11. “Multifaceted collaborative study for evaluation of intermediate and final disposal for various Cs-contaminated wastes” MEXT, Initiatives for Atomic Energy Basic and Generic Strategic Research, 2012-2014, co-PI, ¥10800k.

  12. “Atomic-resolution investigation on nano-minerals using spherical aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy” Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, PI: 2009-2011, ¥5070k.

  13.  “Analysis of dispersed Ni-particles in atmospheric particles using a combination of focused ion-beam system and atomic resolution microscopy” Steel Industry Foundation for the Advancement of Environmental Protection Technology, PI, 2012-2013, ¥3000k.

  14. “Modeling the mobility of radionuclides in the groundwater and the impact of microparticles” Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Funds for International Collaboration, co-PI, 2013-2014, ¥100k.

  15. “The chemical speciation and migration of mobile radionuclides released from the nuclear accident” Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, co-PI, 2013-2015, ¥900k

  16. “Modeling the migration of radionuclides in the groundwater in Russia” Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, co-PI: 2014-2016, ¥100k

  17. “Study on the chemical speciation of radioactive cesium in the saturated sediments after fifty years” Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Collaborative research funds related to remediation in Fukushima environment, PI, 2014, ¥3000k.

  18. “Development of functional materials for decontamination of radionuclides in the environment ”　MEXT, Basic Research for Nuclear Energy, Japan-UK Joint Research Program, co-PI, 2014-2016, ¥5600k.

  19. “Atmospheric levels of O2 and CO2 in the late Archean – early Proterozoic and the effects on the Earth surfaces” Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, co-PI: 2015-2017, ¥300k.

  20. “Development of a new protocol to stabilize the radioactive wastes for decommissioning in Fukushima and remediation of DOE site” MEXT, Basic Research for Nuclear Energy, Japan-US Joint Research Program, co-PI, 2016-2019, ¥1000k per year

  21. “Molecular-level study on the effects of microorganisms on the migration of radionuclides” Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, PI, 2016-2019, ¥17290k

  22. “Formation processes and migration of cesium-rich microparticle released from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant utilizing atomic-resolution electron microscopy” Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, PI, 2016-2018, ¥3510k.

  23. “Application of state-of-the-art microscopy to investigate association of radionuclides with micron-scale minerals” Interdisciplinary Collaborative Study on the Migration and Effects of Radionuclides in Environment, Tsukuba University, PI, 2016-2019, ¥580k.

  24. “Quantification of Cs-rich microparticles released from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and the radiotoxicity” Mitsubishi Foundation Research Grants in the Natural Sciences, PI, 2017, ¥5000k

  25. “Understanding formation process of anthropogenic aerosols containing radionuclides” Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, co-PI, 2017-2018, ¥200k.

  26. “Environmental geochemistry of radium: Field study and ion systematics” Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Reimei Research Fund, co-PI, 2017-2018, ¥500k.

  27. “Effects of Mn oxidizing bacteria on the processing of mine drainage at Ningyo-toge” Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Collaborative Research, co-PI, 2016-2017, ¥330k per year.

  28. “Occurrence of Mn oxidizing microorganisms in the Ningyotoge uranium mine and the molecular-scale mechanisms of Mn oxidation” Nakatsuji Basic Science Foundation, PI, 2022-2024, ¥1000k

  29. “High Mass-, Enegy-, and Spatial-Resolution Analyses of Radioactive Ejecta from Fukushima Daiichi Towards Severe Accident Analysis and the Biological Impacts” JSPS Japan-Finland Bilateral Research Grant, PI, 2023-2025, ¥5000k

  30. “Distribution analysis and risk assessment of highly radioactive particles discharged from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in urban and residential environments: Japan-Finland international joint research” Heiwa Nakajima Foundation, PI, 2025, ¥5000k

  31. Yushan Fellowship Research Fund, PI, 2025-2028, NTD 1.5 M / year 

  32. “Advanced Hot Particle Science – Radioactive Microparticles from Nuclear Accidents as Probes of Meltdown Processes and Environmental Impacts” National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Taiwan, PI, 2026-2027, NTD 4.533 M

Society Service

Proposal Review

NSF-EAR (Geochemistry, Low-T geochemistry), DOE-BES, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Kiban S), Swiss National Science Foundation, European Science Foundation (FWO Post-doctoral project), Croatian Science Foundation

Journal Review

American Mineralogist, Environmental Science & Technology, Atmospheric Environment, Canadian Mineralogist, MRS proceedings, Geochemical Journal, Tera Nova, Chemistry Letters, Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, European Journal of Mineralogy, Elements, Chemical Reviews, Water Research, Geochemical Perspective Letters, Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Journal of Nuclear Materials, Radiochimica Acta, Micron, Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, Economic Geology, Minerals, Nuclear Materials and Energy

Journal Review

Associate Editor of Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences,

Associate Editor of Frontiers in Energy Research

Committee

Geochemical Society, C. C. Patterson Award Committee, 2018-2020 (Chair in 2019-2020)

International Scientific Committee for Migration Conference

Geochemistry Fellow (by GS and EAG)  selection committee, 2025-2028

Doctoral Dissertation Review

Murdoch University, University of Adelaide

Earth & Environmental Materials Laboratory (E&EM)
Utsunomiya Lab
Interested in joining or collaborating?

utsunomiya@ntu.edu.tw

© 2026 by Satoshi Utsunomiya

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