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 Website

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, Special Advisor to the Dean, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Major Awards

• 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
• Forbes Japan Women In Tech 30 (2026）

Selected Publications

• Shotaro Torii, Masaaki Kitajima, Eiji Haramoto, Ryota Gomi, Kumiko Oguma, Hiroyuki Katayama, Simultaneous detection of protozoa, bacteria, and viruses from environmental water through membrane-adsorption followed by direct nucleic acid extraction, Water Research, 125792, 2026.
• Kim Anh Phan, Soraya Pornsuwan, Kumiko Oguma, Jenyuk Lohwacharin, Bromate abatement with ultraviolet light-emitting diode/thiosulfate advanced reduction processes: Mechanisms, affecting parameters and applications, Journal of Environmental Management, 401, 128835, 2026.
• Tomoya Hayashi, Yoshihiko Sakurai, Yoshihiro Fujimura, Kumiko Oguma, Yuichi Mishima, Fumiya Hirayama, Yoshihiko Tani, Yoshihiro Takihara, Takafumi Kimura, Quality of platelet concentrates after three-day storage following 265 nm ultraviolet C-light-emitting diode irradiation. Transfusion Medicine, 36(1), 45-52, 2026.
• 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.