Earth–Life Science Institute

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Earth–Life Science Institute
ELSI
Typedepartment
Established2012
AffiliationTokyo Institute of Technology
DirectorKei Hirose (2012-2022), Yasuhito Sekine (2022-)
Location
Meguro-ku
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WebsiteOfficial website

Earth–Life Science Institute (ELSI) is an established[1] independent permanent scientific research institute based at the Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan. ELSI employs more than 70 scientists[2] in disciplines ranging from astrophysics to biology, who perform collaborative research on the broad connections between the origin and evolution of planets and life.

History[edit]

ELSI was established in 2012[3] with a charter to build a bridge between the Earth and Life sciences by rallying researchers around questions concerning the link between the origins of planets and life. ELSI has satellite-institutes at Ehime University, Harvard University, and the Institute for Advanced Study, and is currently led by Director Yasuhito Sekine and Vice Directors Tomoaki Matsuura and John Hernlund.

Funding sources[edit]

Funding sources for the institute include a combination of support from Japan's World Premiere International Research Center Initiative (approximately $7M/year[4]), a grant from the John Templeton Foundation to establish the ELSI Origins Network (EON, $5.6M[5] for three years), a variety of project grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and anonymous private donations.

Academics[edit]

Teaching and learning[edit]

ELSI offers Masters courses through Tokyo Institute of Technology and PhD degrees supervised by staff.

Research[edit]

Research is primarily supported through JSPS grants, but also private & international sources.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kaufman, Marc. "Research Center a Hub for Origins of Life Studies", Space.com, May 1, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  2. ^ Researchers Archived 2017-04-19 at the Wayback Machine, Earth–Life Science Institute, February 1, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  3. ^ The Center Project Plans Selected in FY2017, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Archived March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  4. ^ World Premier International Research Center Initiative, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  5. ^ Scharf, Caleb A. "A New Era for Origins of Life Science?", Scientific American, August 7, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2020.

External links[edit]