Hiroshi Nishihara

Hiroshi Nishihara (西原寛), born 21 March 1955, is a Japanese chemist and Professor of Chemistry at The University of Tokyo in Japan. Currently heading the department of Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory in The University of Tokyo, he is a distinguished professor, researcher and pioneer in the field of synthesis and electrochemistry of conductive metal complex polymers.

His research is focused on creation of new electro- and photo-functional materials comprising both transition metals and π-conjugated chains, and invention of unidirectional electron transfer systems utilizing molecular layer interfaces. He is presently a Vice President of The Electrochemical Society of Japan, and the regional representative of Japan for International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE).

Education and professional experiences

 * 1977 B.Sc. (Chemistry), The University of Tokyo
 * 1982 D.Sc. (Chemistry), The University of Tokyo (Professor Yukiyoshi Sasaki)
 * 1982-1990 Research Associate, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University (Professor Kunitsugu Aramaki)
 * 1987-1989 Visiting Research Associate, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Professor Royce W. Murray)
 * 1990 Lecturer, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University
 * 1992 Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University (Interface Chemistry)
 * 1993-1996 Researcher, PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (Research Supervisor: Prof. K. Honda)
 * 1996–Present Professor, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo (Inorganic Chemistry)

Research interests
Coordination Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Photochemistry, Nanomaterials

Awards and honours

 * 1994 Young Scholar Lectureship, The Chemical Society of Japan
 * 2003 The Chemical Society of Japan Award for Creative Work for 2002
 * 2005 Lectureship from University of Bordeaux I
 * 2009 Professorship from University of Strasbourg
 * 2011 Docteur Honoris Causa from University of Bordeaux I
 * 2012 Lectured at Distinguished Lecture Series in Hong Kong Baptist University and won Lectureship.
 * 2014 Fellow for Royal Society of Chemistry
 * 2014 Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Award for Science and Technology 2014