Collaborative Dental Research Highlighted at Science Tokyo and Chulalongkorn University Matching Day Event
On January 27, 2026, Science Tokyo and Chulalongkorn University (CU) co-hosted the CU-Science Tokyo Matching Day 2026 to promote collaboration in dental sciences. This event is part of an ongoing partnership between the Faculties of Dentistry at both institutions, established prior to the formation of Science Tokyo in October 2024, which resulted from the merger of Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Event Overview
The hybrid event, held at CU, featured the participation of 32 faculty members and researchers, comprising 14 from Science Tokyo and 18 from CU. Representatives from Science Tokyo included Professor Manabu Kanazawa, an authority in gerodontology and oral rehabilitation; Professor Eriko Marukawa, who specializes in regenerative and reconstructive dental medicine; and Professor Yoshio Yahata, known for his research in pulp biology and endodontics. CU participants covered a wide range of topics within dental sciences.
Opening Remarks
The event opened with remarks from Science Tokyo’s Executive Vice President for Global Affairs, Jun-Ichi Takada, and Professor Kanazawa, along with CU Faculty of Dentistry Dean Pornchai Jansisyanont and Professor Thantrira Porntaveetus. They expressed aspirations for the event to lead to new research opportunities while strengthening existing collaborations.
Joint Degree Program Overview
Professor Takashi Ono from Science Tokyo provided an overview of the joint degree program offered by the two institutions. Following this, representatives from both universities presented their current research projects and clinical advancements.
Group Discussions
After the presentations, attendees participated in group discussions on various subjects, including the application of 3D printing in dentures, digital dentistry advancements and implants, as well as collaborative research opportunities for treating periodontal disease and dental caries. The groups are anticipated to embark on joint research initiatives and will regularly update each other on their findings, in addition to planning future events to showcase collaborative outcomes.
Concluding Remarks
The event concluded with remarks from CU Professor Lakshman Samaranayake, an emeritus professor and former dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Hong Kong. He provided an optimistic assessment of the partnership between Science Tokyo and CU, suggesting that the collaboration is expected to enhance efforts not only within the Faculty of Dentistry but also across the broader institutional frameworks.
Original source: ISCT News
