Representative Director and CEO

Daisuke Asari

Graduated from Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University
Master of Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University

During university, he majored in metal complex chemistry with the founder, and after graduating from university, was engaged in pharmaceutical research and development and new business launches at Aventis Pharma KK, Sanofi-Aventis KK (now Sanofi), and Nitto Denko KK. Since January 2017 Incumbent.

Director COO

Dai Kataoka

Graduated from Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University
Master of Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University
MBA from Indiana University

During college, he majored in metal complex chemistry in the Kitagawa Group, and after graduating from university, he was in charge of R&D and technical sales at Kuraray Co., Ltd. Current position since April 2018.

Senior Science Fellow

Kenji Sumida

Bachelor of Chemistry, University of Oakland
Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley PhD
Master of Business Administration MBA

New Zealand. After graduating from the University of Auckland with a degree in computer chemistry, he studied under Professor Jeffrey Long, one of the authorities in the study of porous coordination polymers at the University of California, Berkeley. After that, he engaged in research for 3 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Kyoto University iCeMS Kitagawa G. He has been in his current position since June 2019.

Scientific Advisor

Susumu Kitagawa

Graduated from Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University
PhD, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University
Director of iCeMS/Special Professor, Kyoto University

A global pioneer in PCP/MOF research on porous coordination polymers. We developed a new self-assembled porous material using metal and organic molecules, and proved in 1997 that we could store a large amount of gas for the first time in the world. We have greatly expanded the academic and industrial value of porous coordination polymers and created the pioneering field of “chemistry of coordination space”. Has won numerous international awards.

Founder / Technical Advisor

Masakazu Higuchi

Graduated from Department of Industrial Chemistry, Kyoto University
PhD, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University

After serving as Assistant Professor of Quantum Order Research Group, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Kyoto University, and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor of Chemical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, iCeMS Associate Assistant Professor of Kyoto University since September 2010. Founded MaSaKa-NeXT Co., Ltd. in 2015.