Profile

Education

• Completed a Ph.D. program in Behavioral Medicine at Tohoku University Graduate School.
• During her studies, she researched astronauts’ mental and physical health and stress management. While investigating ways to reduce cancer risk under high-stress conditions, she discovered that carcinogenic additives are permitted in Japan and widely used in not only processed meat but also traditional Japanese sweets. This led her to focus on food safety.

Experience

• In 2013, she interned at the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, a research organization under NASA in Houston, USA, where she proposed ideas and created educational materials for astronauts and related personnel.
• Became the first official student PI (Project Leader) at JAXA and also participated in several international projects and project management at the European Space Agency.
• Vocalist of “Planet X,” a space music unit she formed with Professor Yosuke Alex from Kyoto University. As LIAZ☆, she created a new genre called “High-Tone Jazz Fusion,” combining space education and music to promote STEAM education.
• The “Space Instrument,” co-created by Ayako Ono, CEO, and creator Hajime Negishi, was used on the International Space Station through JAXA and was well received (launched in 2011, implemented in 2012).