PHOTOS FROM IYRC SPRING 2025 (IN PERSON DAY)

IYRC SPRING 2025 Keynote Speaker

Dr. Shotaro Torii 

KEVIN YANG
In-person IYRC​
Dr. Shotaro Torii is a Senior Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban Engineering at the University of Tokyo. He received his Ph.D. in Urban Engineering from the University of Tokyo in 2021 and conducted postdoctoral research at EPFL in Switzerland as a JSPS Overseas Research Fellow. Since returning to Tokyo in 2023, he has been leading research in environmental virology and disinfection, and was tenured in April 2025. He is the 2025 recipient of the IWA Health-Related Water Microbiology Willie Grabow Young Investigator Award and has over eight years of experience in the field.

​Learn more about Dr. Shotaro Torii:
https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/focus/en/people/k0001_05012.html
Virtual IYRC​
Kevin Yang is a dental student at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Reed College, where his thesis focused on synthesizing inhibitors targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. During his gap year, he worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor and was certified as a Wilderness First Responder. Kevin currently serves as a Program Coordinator for both the ACComPLISHED Community Health Worker (CHW) and the Summer Medicine and Research Programs, underscoring his commitment to mentorship, health equity, and community engagement.

IYRC SPRING 2025 BEST PRESENTATION award winners

Best Oral Presentation
A Novel Treatment for GBM: Investigating Autophagy-Inducing Substitutes for the BECN1 Gene
Vid Yash
American Heritage School, US

​Best Overall Project
A Humanoid Shoulder Joint Replica for Enhancing PPG Sensor Fidelity in Hypertension Monitoring
Molly Chhabra
William Mason High School, USA
 
Best STEM Presentation
In Vitro Model for Cigarette Smoke-Induced Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Yiqing Ye*, Yidong Ye*, Yongren Wu**
* Academic Magnet High School, USA
** Medical University of South Carolina, USA
 
STEM Honorable Mention
Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Herbal Formulation on Chemotherapy Induced Breast-Cancer Cells
Shloka Krishna*, Pooja Vijaykumar Kasture**, Jyothsna Rao**
* The Foundation School, India
** iCREST-International Stem Cell Services Limited, India
 
Best Social Science and Humanities Presentation
Confucian Personality: A Study of Chinese Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Japan
Yuzhe Jalen Wang
Canadian International School Tokyo, Japan
 
Social Science and Humanities Honorable Mention
The High Price of Low Pollen: Evaluating the Economic Feasibility of Japan’s Cedar Pollen Reduction Strategy
Nina Kasamatsu
The American School in Japan, Japan

 CONFERENCE PROCEEDING

 CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS