Prof. Tomoko Minagawa | Ecosystem | Best Researcher Award
Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology at Kumamoto University, Japan
Professor Tomoko Minagawa is a distinguished scholar in environmental engineering and sustainable river management, currently serving as a professor at Kumamoto University. With a career spanning over three decades, her expertise includes flood management, wetland conservation, and river ecosystem resilience. Her research has contributed significantly to understanding flood control, habitat conservation, and ecological engineering. Professor Minagawa’s work is widely recognized, with numerous publications in reputable journals and prestigious awards highlighting her contributions to environmental and river management.
professional profiles
Education 
Tomoko Minagawa’s academic foundation is rooted in engineering and environmental sciences. She earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Engineering from the University of Yamanashi in 1990, followed by a Master of Engineering from the same institution in 1992. She pursued further specialization and research, obtaining her Doctor of Engineering from Kyushu University in 2004. Her educational path is marked by a commitment to environmental engineering, focusing on developing innovative solutions for water management and ecological resilience. Her academic journey has equipped her with the scientific rigor and technical expertise needed to excel in flood management and sustainable resource planning, which she has since applied throughout her career in both research and applied fields.
work Experience
Professor Minagawa’s professional journey began at Japan’s Public Works Research Institute in 1992, where she contributed to research initiatives under the Ministry of Construction. Her expertise and leadership qualities saw her promoted to Senior Researcher within the Independent Administrative Institution in 2006. She transitioned into academia as an Assistant Professor at Fukuoka University in 2010, before moving to Kumamoto University in 2012, where she advanced to Professor in 2023. Her experience includes overseeing extensive research on flood control measures, river ecosystem resilience, and wetland habitat preservation. Her dual background in applied research and academia enables her to bridge scientific research with practical implementation, making her a highly influential figure in environmental engineering.
Awards and honors
Throughout her career, Professor Minagawa has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards for her research and contributions. In 2017, she received the Best Poster Award at the Asia Wetland Symposium and the Urban Design Division Excellence Award from Kagoshima Prefecture. Her work also earned her the Green Resilience Grand Prize at Japan’s Resilience Award, underscoring her contributions to ecological resilience. Earlier recognitions include the Environmental Award from the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (2014) for her contributions to river conservation and two Poster Awards from the River Ecology Academic Research Association in 2006 and 2011. These accolades highlight her commitment to sustainable development, her influence in environmental policy, and her contributions to ecological engineering practices.
Research Focus
Professor Minagawa’s research centers on environmental engineering, particularly in sustainable flood management, wetland conservation, and river ecosystem resilience. Her work explores practical solutions for flood risk mitigation and the restoration of ecosystems affected by climate change and human intervention. She has conducted influential studies on the role of vegetation in preventing landslides, the impact of dam structures on river connectivity, and innovative methods to monitor water flow and flooding. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates ecological engineering with policy considerations, aiming to enhance natural habitat preservation and community safety. Professor Minagawa’s focus on blending technology with ecological preservation demonstrates her commitment to creating sustainable and resilient ecosystems.
Skills
Professor Minagawa possesses a unique blend of technical and analytical skills that support her extensive research in environmental engineering. Her expertise includes advanced flood modeling, ecological engineering, and ecosystem analysis. She is adept at using data-driven tools and innovative methodologies for monitoring and assessing environmental impacts, such as GIS and water flow analysis tools. With strong project management skills, she effectively coordinates large-scale research initiatives, manages teams, and oversees grant-funded projects. Her knowledge of sustainable water management, combined with her ability to communicate complex scientific concepts, makes her a leader in educating future environmental engineers and influencing sustainable policies.
Conclusion
Professor Minagawa is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her impactful work in environmental engineering and river ecosystem resilience. Her dedication to sustainable development, coupled with a prolific publication record and numerous awards, positions her as a leader in her field. With a few enhancements in international collaboration and public outreach, her work could gain further recognition, making her highly deserving of this award.
Publications to Noted
Development of shallow landslide susceptibility maps incorporating relative spacing index for forest management
Authors: Asada, H., Hasegawa, Y., Minagawa, T.
Citations: 0
Year: 2024
Tributary mitigates river discontinuity by dam depending on the distance from dam to the tributary confluence
Authors: Katano, I., Doi, H., Negishi, J.N., Minagawa, T., Kayaba, Y.
Citations: 0
Year: 2024
Relationship between Vegetation and Landslide Depth Using Statistical Methods: Aso Region, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Asada, H., Minagawa, T.
Citations: 0
Year: 2024
Impact of Vegetation Differences on Shallow Landslides: A Case Study in Aso, Japan
Authors: Asada, H., Minagawa, T.
Citations: 6
Year: 2023
Fundamental Study on the Development of an Inexpensive Velocity Meter for River Floods Using Stagnation Points
Authors: Ouchi, A., Shimatani, Y., Takata, H., Minagawa, T.
Citations: 1
Year: 2023
Offset Discontinuities in Dammed Rivers Due to Tributary: Which Macroinvertebrates Taxa Respond?
Authors: Katano, I., Doi, H., Hara, N., Minagawa, T., Kayaba, Y.
Citations: 0
Year: 2023
Evaluation of Pandanus Trees as a Means of Eco-DRR against Storm Surge Wave on Saint Martin’s Island, Bangladesh
Authors: Kayum, S., Shimatani, Y., Minagawa, T.
Citations: 3
Year: 2022
Assessment of spawning events of the tri-spine horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus, using environmental DNA in the Sone tidal flat, Japan
Authors: Koyama, A., Kawahara, Y., Kurita, Y., Onikura, N., Minagawa, T.
Citations: 1
Year: 2022
Effects of sediment replenishment on riverbed environments and macroinvertebrate assemblages downstream of a dam
Authors: Katano, I., Negishi, J.N., Minagawa, T., Kawaguchi, Y., Kayaba, Y.
Citations: 14
Year: 2021
Habitat suitability maps for juvenile tri-spine horseshoe crabs in Japanese intertidal zones: A model approach using unmanned aerial vehicles and the Structure from Motion technique
Authors: Koyama, A., Hirata, T., Kawahara, Y., Itaya, S., Minagawa, T.
Citations: 8
Year: 2021