The research of Momoka Sudo, a second-year master's student in the Graduate School of System Science and Technology, Department of Management Systems Engineering, has been selected for funding by the Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant Program of the Japan Science Society, a public interest incorporated foundation. This grant targets young researchers under 35 years old as well as doctoral and master's students. The selection rate was 29.3% with 323 projects selected out of 1,101 applications. In the interdisciplinary category, 44 out of 169 projects were selected, including 14 master's students. The program aims to promote scientific and technological research by supporting novel, original, and pioneering research conducted by the next generation of young researchers, especially those with unexpected and innovative ideas.

Selected Research Theme:
"Development of a Carbon Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis Method for Individual Components in Sake Using LC/IRMS and Differentiation of Similarities and Differences"

Comment from Momoka Sudo:
The selected research theme involves developing a high-precision carbon stable isotope ratio analysis method for organic acids, amino acids, and other components in sake, aiming to establish new techniques for detecting counterfeit sake and identifying its geographical origin. I believe this method will become a groundbreaking technology applicable not only to sake but also to various beverages such as wine and whiskey, where food fraud is widespread.

This is the third time our laboratory has received funding from the Sasakawa Foundation, following Nami Kikuchi (2011) and Nana Sudo (2015). Receiving this grant as a graduate student is an invaluable opportunity, and I am committed to devoting myself to research daily and achieving solid results.