We are proud to announce that Professor Kiyoshi Kita, Dean of the Graduate School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, has been awarded the Zuihō Cyūjushō (Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon) in the Spring 2025 Conferment of Decorations by the Government of Japan. The Order of the Sacred Treasure is bestowed upon individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society and the nation over many years. Professor Kita was recognised for his significant achievements in education and research in biochemistry, particularly his work on the diversity of energy metabolism in pathogens—including parasites—and their human hosts. He was also honoured for his role in promoting international medical cooperation from a global perspective, through his contributions as a member of the Japanese academic community.
This award is especially noteworthy given that most recipients have already retired from the forefront of their fields. It is extremely rare for an active researcher to receive such a decoration, making this recognition a profound source of pride for our university.
Upon receiving the award, Professor Kita expressed his appreciation: “I am deeply honoured to be recognised for my contributions to basic research in infectious diseases, beginning with E. coli and progressing to parasites and viruses. I am equally honoured that our efforts—those of my many colleagues and myself—to address real-world challenges in tropical medicine, international health, and global health have been acknowledged. I remain profoundly grateful to all who have supported our work. Looking ahead, I hope to continue contributing, however modestly, to the realisation of Planetary Health, the vision of global well-being championed by Nagasaki University.”
*A summary of Professor Kita’s research (written in Japanese), which formed the basis for this award, has been published in Modern Media, a leading academic journal in medicine and public health. We strongly encourage you to read the article on their official website.
https://www.eiken.co.jp/uploads/modern_media/literature/202503_23-32.pdf
