Head of the laboratory – Prof. Tetsuro Hosaka

I have basically been working on insect ecology in tropical rainforests and the conservation of the forests. Recently, I expand my interests into urban and agricultural ecosystems and interactions between people and biodiversity including nature-based tourism, human-wildlife conflict, and children’s nature play.

Research topic: Ecology, Biodiversity, Insect ecology, Seed-feeding insects, Tropical rainforests, General flowering, Dung beetles, Sustainable forest management, Urban Ecology, Insect-related recreation and tourism, Cultural entomology, Human-nature interaction

Hobbies: Playing soccer & futsal, Drinking beer & Sake, Insect catching with kids, Natural Farming

Assistant Professor – Dr. Natsuki Komada

Study topics: Canopy biology, Tropical ecology, plant taxonomy

I have been conducting research related to plant taxonomy and ecology, based on field surveys in Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, and Madagascar.

Currently, I am interested in plants that grow on trees including epiphytes and parasites, and I am working on their diversity and spatial distribution.

Assistant Professor – Dr. Truong Mai Van

I have been studying the relationship between humans and nature, with a particular emphasis on reconnecting children with nature in our increasingly urbanized and modern society. My research aims to promote this connection due to the significant benefits of nature play, which profoundly impacts children’s development, well-being, and their behavior and attitudes towards nature conservation.

Hobbies and Interests: Hiking, Reading, Natural Farming.

My website: https://truongmaivan.com

Ph.D. student – Tomohiro Watazu

I have been conducting research on the pollination ecology of wetlands. In particular, I am studying the relationship between flower traits and pollinators, and the differences in the pollinator communities, depending on the surrounding environment. Recently, I have been using digital cameras to take interval photographs to study the communities, including at night.

Research topic: Pollination ecology

Hobbies: Playing soccer, Fishing, Catching insects

Ph.D. student – Mohamad Ashraf Bin Abdul Mutalib

I have been working on sustainable oil palm research since my undergraduate studies focusing on arthropods ecology in oil palm plantations. For my Ph.D. research, I am currently studying soil macrofauna in smallholder oil palm plantation and their ecosystem services. My ambition is to shift oil palm plantation landscapes especially in Southeast Asia towards more sustainable and biodiversity-friendly practices.

Research topic: Ecology, Biodiversity, Arthropod ecology, Moth, Butterfly, Oil palm plantation, Alley-cropping system, Microclimate

Hobbies: Playing badminton, reading books, playing e-sports, insect catching

Ph.D. student – Ku Noor Khalidah Binti Ku Halim

B4 student – Yurika Yamashita

B4 student – Koki Ebine

B4 student – Hitomi Takeda