[About the Symposium]
The International Prize for Biology was instituted in April of 1985 by the Committee on the International Prize for Biology. It aims to commemorate the sixty-year reign of Emperor Showa and his longtime devotion to biological research and also to offer tribute to His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus, who has strived over many years to advance the study taxonomy of gobioid fishes while contributing continuously to the developing of this Prize. The award ceremony is held every year.
For the 41st International Biology Prize, the field of “neurobiology” was selected as the award category. Following a review by the selection committee, Dr. Giacomo Rizzolatti, University of Parma (Italy), was chosen as the recipient for his discovery of mirror neurons, which elucidated the neural basis for understanding others at various levels, including behavior, and made a significant contribution to the development of the field of social neuroscience, exerting a major impact on cognitive neuroscience as a whole. This symposium and lecture series will be held over two days at the University of Tokyo to commemorate the award. On the first day, December 20 (Saturday), an international symposium will be held featuring prominent researchers from Japan and abroad who have achieved outstanding results in cutting-edge neurobiology, including the recipient’s field of research, to engage in advanced discussions. On the second day, December 21 (Sunday), a lecture by the recipient will be held with simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English to introduce the recipient’s research to a wide range of citizens, including young people.
[Date]
・Dec. 20th (Sat.), 2025; Symposium for researchers (English)
・Dec. 21st (Sun.), 2025; Award Recipient’s Lecture for general participants (Japanese with English translation)
[Venue]
B2F Shaon Hall, Ito International Research Center, Ito Hall, University of Tokyo (MAP)
[Registration]
Click here to register
[Program]
Dec. 20th (Sat.), 2025; Symposium for researchers (English)
Dec. 21st (Sun.), 2025; Award Recipient’s Lecture for general participants (Japanese with English translation)
Featured Speakers from IRCN:
・Prof. Kaoru Inokuchi, WPI Working Group Member (Univ. Toyama)
・Prof. Haruo Kasai, IRCN Principal Investigator (UTokyo)
・Prof. Yoko Yazaki-Sugiyama, IRCN Affiliated Faculty (OIST)
・Prof. Kazushige Touhara, IRCN Affiliated Faculty (UTokyo)
Additional renowned neuroscientists will also be presenting their latest findings.
[Organizer]
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
The University of Tokyo
