On August 3, Professor Michihiro SUGA of the Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science was awarded “The Robin Hill Award” from the International Society of Photosynthesis Research.
　
Photosynthesis is a reaction in which plants and algae use the energy of light to extract oxygen from water and convert carbon dioxide into sugars. Robin Hill discovered in the 1930s that oxygen evolution from water in photosynthesis requires electron acceptors such as iron ion (the Hill reaction). The Robin Hill Award of the International Society of Photosynthesis Research was established to honor Robin Hill’s contributions to photosynthesis research. The award is presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Photosynthesis Research to young scientists of the society who have produced outstanding results in research on the physical aspects of the photosynthetic process.
　
The Robin Hill Award was recently presented to Professor SUGA for his outstanding work on the structure of Photosystem II and the mechanism of water oxidation. Professor SUGA delivered an award lecture at the annual meeting held in New Zealand on August 3, and received an award certificate. He is the first researcher affiliated with a Japanese research institution to receive this award.
　
In accepting the award, Professor SUGA said, “I am very grateful to receive this prestigious award. I am grateful for the support of my many collaborators, mentors, laboratory members, and family members who have helped me continue my research to date.”