Profile

Ayako Ono, Ph.D.
Completed her doctoral studies in Behavioral Medicine at the Graduate School of Tohoku University.

During her academic research, she focused on the mental and physical health of astronauts, studying stress management in space. In the course of her investigations—particularly on how to reduce cancer risk under high-stress conditions—she discovered that in Japan, even food additives known to be carcinogenic are permitted and widely used in processed meats, traditional sweets, and snacks. This sparked her deep interest in food safety.

Experience

In 2013, she interned at the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) under NASA in Houston, USA, where she contributed educational materials and innovative proposals related to astronaut health.

She became the first official student PI (Project Investigator) at JAXA, and also participated in several international projects and project management initiatives with the European Space Agency (ESA).

As part of the space-themed music duo Planet X, co-founded with Kyoto University professor Yosuke Alex, she performs under the stage name LIAZ☆. The duo created a new genre called “High-tone Jazz Fusion” and promoted STEAM education by combining space education with music.

In collaboration with So Negishi, she co-developed the “Space Instrument”, which was used aboard the International Space Station via JAXA, receiving high acclaim (launched in 2011, implemented in 2012).