Things I can write about myself.

My name is Norifumi Yamamoto.

Feel free to call me Nory or Nori.

Online, I usually go by the handle yamnor, a mix of my first and last names. You can find me on LinkedIn, GitHub, X, and other platforms.

Research

I love working in Computational Chemistry. For me, it’s like using a digital lens to explore the microscopic world. Instead of test tubes, I use powerful computers to simulate and visualize how molecules act.

Currently, my research covers several topics.

In materials science, my team studies how Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) works in glowing molecules and what causes fireflies to have their unique glow colors. We also explore how Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) absorb substances and how natural rubber is vulcanized.

In the life sciences, my team tackles important medical challenges. We use simulations to study how HIV and Influenza viruses develop drug resistance. We also research how proteins misfold and cause ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), aiming to better understand these diseases.

Collaboration

I believe collaboration helps science move forward. I work with both universities and companies on joint research.

For example, I collaborate with The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. to apply computational methods to rubber materials, and I partner with QunaSys to help develop quantum computing talent.

Being part of the wider scientific community is important to me. I serve as a Director for the Society of Computer Chemistry, Japan, and as an Academic Editor for PeerJ. I’ve also represented the Chemical Society of Japan, supporting and connecting researchers.

Thoughts on Education

I believe good teachers should always keep learning. To improve my teaching, I studied Instructional Design at Kumamoto University with Prof. Katsuaki Suzuki. My goal is to make complex ideas clear and interesting for students.

I care about my students’ mental and emotional well-being. Science can be challenging, so I want to support them. That’s why I studied Narrative Practice with Mr. Koichi Kunishige to improve my counseling skills. I aim to be more than just a lecturer; I want to listen and support each student as an individual.

I think science should be shared with everyone, not just kept in the lab. I’m passionate about Science Communication and participate in the CoSTEP program at Hokkaido University.

I’m also a certified GEMS (Great Explorations in Math and Science) leader, an inquiry-based learning program from The Lawrence Hall of Science. One of my greatest joys is organizing hands-on workshops for children.

I often use PuzMol, a papercraft molecular puzzle I created, to help elementary school students answer the question, “What is a molecule?” It’s incredibly rewarding to see young minds light up when they understand these concepts through play.

Academic Journey

I’m a Professor at Chiba Tech (Chiba Institute of Technology), where I’ve been teaching and researching since 2012.

My path to Chiba took me across Japan. I earned my Ph.D. in Science from Kyushu University in 2004, then became a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Tokyo. After that, I worked as an Assistant Professor at Gifu University and later at Nagoya University.

I’ve been fortunate to have great mentors throughout my career. I’m especially grateful to Prof. Eisaku Miyoshi for his guidance during my Ph.D., and to Prof. Hiroshi Sekiya, Prof. Koichi Mogi, and Prof. Kazuhiko Ohashi for their support in my early studies. Working with Prof. Kazuo Takatsuka, Prof. Kazuo Kuwata, Prof. Nobuaki Koga, and Prof. Masataka Nagaoka also helped me grow professionally.

My Roots

I was born and raised in Imari, Saga, a town famous for its traditional ceramics called Imari ware. I went to local schools: Imari High School, Kunimi Junior High, and Higashiyamashiro Elementary. My first graduation was from Nagahama Nursery School in 1983!

Personal Life

Now I live in Chiba, near Tokyo, and enjoy being a father to my three sons.