Research Summary

Water holds intrinsic value in both quality and quantity, serving as an indispensable resource for healthy living and sustainable societal activities. To maximize its value sustainably, research focuses on various topics, such as water environment surveys, water treatment technologies, and water supply systems. For example, research on UV-based water treatment ranges from fundamental experiments to large-scale applications, with results achieving technological implementation and earning international recognition. Efforts also address water-related challenges in developing and remote areas through continuous fieldwork on water quality and usage. In addition, decentralized small-scale water systems are being explored as potential engineering solutions to urgent societal challenges, such as population decline, aging populations, and deteriorating infrastructure.

Laboratory

Biography

1998, Bachelor of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
2000, Master of Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
2003, Ph.D., School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
2003, Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo
2005, Visiting Assistant Professor, Duke University, USA
2008, Lecturer, Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo
2015, Associate Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo
2019, Associate Professor, Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo
2023, Professor, Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo
2025, Assistant Dean, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Award History

• Best Teaching Award (2014): Faculty of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
• Excellent Research Award (2016), Special Award for Excellent Research (2020): Kurita Water and Environment Foundation
• Innovative UV Application Award (2017), UV Light Award (2019): International UV Association
• Excellent Presentation Award at Annual Conference (2000), Paper Award for Young Researchers (2004), Technology Award (2023): Japan Society on Water Environment.
• FY2022 Dean’s Award for Research (2023): School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Published Paper

• Jack Jia Xin Song, Kumiko Oguma, UV-LED-incorporated showerhead for point-of-use disinfection of drinking water, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 12(6), 114573, 2024.
• Kim Anh Phan, Jenyuk Lohwacharin, Kumiko Oguma, Virender K. Sharma, Bromate in drinking water: Occurrence and removal by ultraviolet/sulfite advanced reduction processes, Chemical Engineering Journal, 490, 151759, 2024.
• Kumiko Oguma, Field demonstration of UV-LED disinfection at small and decentralized water facilities, Journal of Water & Health, 21(9), 1369–1384, 2023.
• Kumiko Oguma and Surapong Rattanakul, UV inactivation of viruses in water: its potential to mitigate current and future threats of viral infectious diseases, Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, 60, 110502, 2021.
• Kumiko Oguma, Surapong Rattanakul and Mie Masaike, Inactivation of health-related microorganisms in water using UV light-emitting diodes, Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 19(5), 1507-1514, 2019.
• Kumiko Oguma; Surapong Rattanakul; and James R. Bolton, Application of UV Light Emitting Diodes to Adenovirus in Water, Journal of Environmental Engineering, 142(3), 04015082, 2016.