Title of the University of Osaka Global Alumni Fellow awarded to Professor MORITA Yasuhiro

On July 7, 2025, the title-awarding ceremony for the University of Osaka Global Alumni Fellow took place at the university, and Professor MORITA Yasuhiro of the University of Massachusetts Amherst (the United States) received the title from Executive Vice President HAYASHI Mikako, in charge of Global Engagement. The title of Global Alumni Fellow is conferred on UOsaka alumni who are active overseas in building an international network.

Professor Morita conducted research at our university’s Research Institute for Microbial Diseases for eight years. He is currently engaged in microbiology research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst), collaborating with the University of Osaka on joint research projects, exchanging opinions and holding seminars on research related to acid-fast bacteria and glycolipids in animal cells, and providing guidance to graduate students on their research.

At the ceremony, Executive Vice President Hayashi explained the significance of the title and asked for Professor Morita’s continued support in serving as a bridge for education and research between UOsaka and the United States, as well as assisting in building networks with many UOsaka alumni, educational institutions, and companies active in the United States.

The ceremony was held in the presence of his contact people, Specially Appointed Professor Murakami Yoshiko of the Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Specially Appointed Professor Kinoshita Taroh of the Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, and Professor Inoue Norimitu of Wakayama Medical University. With Professor Morita expressing his willingness to cooperate in promoting student exchanges between UOsaka and UMass Amherst, a lively exchange of opinion took place, where they discussed a wide range of topics, including the current situation in accepting Japanese students at UMass Amherst.

*For the list of the University of Osaka Global Alumni Fellows, click here.