Kenichi Takai is Dean of the Graduate School of Science and Technology and Professor in Department of Engineering and Applied Science at Sophia University 2009-to present, PhD in Engineering from Waseda University.

Tetsuya Hirade has been researching using positron annihilation techniques at Japan Atomic Energy Agency for over 30 years. He is now a 61-year-old chief researcher. He has also taught at Ibaraki National University for over 10 years and is currently a professor. In addition, he has served as president of the Japanese Society of Radiation Chemistry and vice president of the Japan Positron Science Society. He has also served as a member of the international committee of international conferences. His research areas range from basic research, such as positronium formation mechanisms, to materials research targeting polymer materials, ionic liquids, and metals. He has also made many contributions to the development of new methods. His family includes a wife, two daughters, and a dog. Today, daily dog walks are the most important routine.

Kei Saito, is a Student at Sophia University. “I am extremely honored to share this award with a team of great professionals that I deeply admire. I gave my first steps in the world of materials science with this project, and it could not have been a better academic or personal experience. It is, therefore, exceptionally rewarding to receive this recognition for the work that first inspired my curiosity for metallurgy and materials research.”