Nagatsuki Tanaka, a first-year doctoral student at the Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, received the Outstanding Student Presentation Award at the JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting 2026.

The Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU) is a leading academic society in the field of Earth and planetary sciences. It brings together researchers, engineers, educators, science communicators, students, and members of the general public interested in the field. The union provides a forum for sharing research findings from a wide range of perspectives, from fundamental research in Earth and planetary sciences to studies addressing global environmental issues and the relationship between human society and Earth and planetary sciences, as well as for promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.

Reflecting on the award, Nagatsuki Tanaka said:

“I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious award. Understanding the dynamics of substances in soil is an important perspective for elucidating the mechanisms governing the transport and transformation of nutrients, greenhouse gases, pollutants, and other substances, and for providing a scientific basis for addressing environmental issues and reducing environmental impacts.

This presentation was part of a fundamental study investigating how the movement of substances in paddy soil is affected by artificially redesigning soil structure using ‘artificial macropores.’ I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to present our findings and offer an interpretation of a phenomenon that initially appeared complex, as well as to the professors and researchers at the conference who engaged in discussion with me.”

Her academic advisor, Professor Yasushi Mori of the Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology (Engineering), commented on the award:

“The study involved a very challenging analysis in which various conditions were intertwined, but Tanaka did an excellent job of bringing the findings together. I believe the study is groundbreaking in demonstrating that soil structure is involved not only in solute transport but also in the generation and movement of greenhouse gases.”

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